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Today's word is Baccarat. If you don't know the name or don't recognize the photo, well, that's not your fault, because casinos love to change the rules of their games.
In North American casinos, the game of baccarat is really the punto banco (which means player/banker) version where the croupier (a fancy name for dealer) makes all player and banker hand decisions based on a set of rules set forth at the table.
In fact, the player really only gets to make a decision on where to wager their money: player hand, banker hand and/or tie bet. Not too tough, and the house edge is a tiny 1.06 percent edge if the gambler wagers on Banker.
The original version of baccarat was called Chemin de Fer, or "way of iron," because the decks were encased in an iron box before play started. In this game the cards for the player and banker are dealt face down. The player may draw or stand. Next, the banker may draw a card or stand. Only then are the cards exposed to the rest of the table. After the winning hand is paid (closest to 9) even money, the deal rotates to the next banker.
The most exciting game is baccarat banque, where the same rules apply, but the banker may keep the shoe (or iron box) and remain the banker until the cards are exhausted or their bankroll disappears. In this game the shoe only holds two or three decks as opposed to six or eight.
Baccarat Chemin de Fer" is James Bond's favorite game and he is seen playing it in several movies such as Thunderball and Dr. No, and let's face it, he always looks good in a Tux. However, for the 2006 movie adaptation of Casino Royal, baccarat is replaced with Texas Hold 'em poker. Did that ruin the appeal of 007 or make him more modern and exciting? I can't decide.
Comments
I hope the game of Baccarat regains it’s earlier popularity. It’s a very interesting and exciting game to play. I prefer the “pit” to the “Mini Baccarat” tables for two reasons: 1) It’s so fun to watch the rituals the players go through when they’re allowed to handle the cards (only in the “pit”), 2) Even a minimum of $50 can be a bargain over the $5 “Mini Baccarat” tables because there are fewer hands per hour in the “pit”. $50 minimum tables can still be found, but probably only during mid-week and off-season times. The whole game is explained with strategies at http://www.baccaratmadeeasy.com. Your point about James Bond switching to Texas Holdem’ Poker was an “Aha moment” for me. I hadn’t considered that as an effect on Baccarat’s popularity!