Baccarat terminology explained

You can play baccarat without knowing all the terminology, but if you take the time to memorise a few key phrases, then it could help you to get more out of the game. An awareness of these terms may make you feel more confident in your play and will ensure that you don’t feel like the novice among your peers. 

With a little insider knowledge, when you play live dealer games, you’ll be able to converse with the banker and your competitors more effectively. Most terms in baccarat are inspired by the French language because the game was devised there, but you will quickly start to recognise the odd word when taking part. 

Baccarat

The name of the game and a reference to the worst possible hand, which is one with a total value of zero. Some people find it confusing that the game is named after a failed hand, but this is not the only contrary term used. 

Banco

A name used to refer to the banker, it also means banker or bank in Spanish. 

Banker bet 

This is a bet placed on the banker beating the player by getting dealt a better hand. The banker is one of the two hands that make up Baccarat.

Carte

In some baccarat variants, during a live dealer game, more experienced players may use this term to request a card from the dealer.

Chemin de fer

In this European version of the game, a player is chosen to act as a banker, and they are also called upon to deal the cards. When the player who is acting as banker loses a coup, they pass the mantle of banker on to the person playing on their left.

Coup

A single round of baccarat online is known as a coup.

Croupier

As in most card games, the croupier is the dealer for the table.  

Face Cards

Any card that has a face on it, including the jack, the queen and the king, is known as a face card.  This will already be a familiar term to most card players. 

Fading

Rarely used in web-based casinos, fading is occasionally heard on a live table and means placing a bet. 

House edge

The advantage that a house gives itself in any game, this means that they will always be able to profit from their business. It is not just used in baccarat. 

La Grande

The best possible result that you can hope for in a game of baccarat, La Grande is a hand with a value of nine. 

La Petite

Another good result, this refers to a hand that totals eight. 

Mini Baccarat

A very popular version of the original that is usually played in online casinos, in Mini Baccarat the cards are dealt facing upwards. The game then progresses without the player's input. 

Natural

When a player has been dealt two cards that together add up to eight or nine, this is referred to as a natural – it’s a great hand. 

Palette

You may have seen the wooden paddles on a baccarat table that are used to move the cards around and turn them over – the official term for one of these is a palette. 

Player

A term that can cause much confusion for the uninitiated because they assume that they are the player. It actually refers to one of the hands that are dealt out – the other is known as the banker. You can bet on either to win or go for a draw. To separate you as a player from this hand, in baccarat you may be referred to as a punter. 

Player bet

In reference to the player hand, this bet asserts that the player hand will beat that of the banker and there will be no tie. 

Punto

Traditionally used as another term for the player hand, this name has contributed to a very popular online phrase for baccarat, Punto Banco, which roughly translates as “player banker”. 

Push

When a bet has neither won nor lost any money for the punter, it is known as a push in baccarat and other games. In some variants, when there is a tie, the banker and player bets are push and can be used in the next coup. 

Shoe

A term that is employed in many table games, this refers to the box that is used to store the decks while they are waiting to be used. Whether the game will be played with a single deck, or it is a special version that calls for six or even eight decks to be used simultaneously, the shoe holds each one. You will see it placed next to the dealer in a live game, but even if you play in a software format, the shoe will be represented. 

Standoff

When the banker or dealer has a hand that is equal to that of the player. 

Tie bet

Along with the player or banker bet, you can make a tie bet in baccarat. A tie bet is one that predicts that the player and dealer will have equal hands. It is certainly not the best-value option, as the odds are usually quite poor. 

Upcard

In the majority of card games, it is important to keep a hand hidden from other players, so the dealer places them facing downwards on the table. In cards games where cards are on show, they are referred to as upcards. 

How important are these terms?

If you just want to play casino baccarat games, then don’t feel obliged to learn all these terms by heart before you join in. Online, they tend to be used less anyway, and when you play for the first time, no one will expect you to throw in a few key terms to prove your enthusiasm! That said, if you do pick up the jargon over time, then it will help you to appreciate the fascinating baccarat game and learn more about what is happening on the table. 

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