Baccarat Banque is one of the oldest and most formal versions of the game. Similar to Chemin de Fer, it involves players making decisions. However, its key difference is that the role of the Banker is much more permanent. One player will act as the Banker for the entire shoe, or until they retire. The Banker plays against two separate Player hands on opposite sides of the table. This version is rarely seen today but is a crucial part of the game’s aristocratic history.
The Origins: Baccarat in its Earliest Form
Considered by many gaming historians to be the original game from which all other Baccarat versions evolved, Baccarat Banque was the height of casino sophistication in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a grand affair, played for high stakes by Europe’s elite. Unlike the fast-paced Punto Banco of today, a game of Baccarat Banque was a slower, more strategic event, centered entirely around the powerful figure of the Banker.
The Defining Feature: The Semi-Permanent Banker
The single most important characteristic that sets Baccarat Banque apart from its closest relative, Chemin de Fer, is the role of the Banker. This role is not passed from player to player after each loss; it is a semi-permanent position held by one individual for an extended period.
How the Banker is Chosen
At the start of the game, the role of Banker is typically auctioned off to the player who is willing to commit the largest initial stake. This player essentially “buys the bank.” They must be prepared to cover all winning wagers from the other players up to the amount of their initial stake.
The Banker’s Tenure
Once a player becomes the Banker, they hold that position until one of two things happens:
They run out of money: If the Banker loses their entire stake, the bank is “broken,” and the role is auctioned off again.
They voluntarily retire: After a winning hand, the Banker has the option to withdraw their winnings and retire the bank. The role then passes to the next player in line or is re-auctioned.
This fixed Banker role creates a very different dynamic, establishing one player as the central figure against whom all others compete.
A Unique Layout: The Two Player Hands
Another key difference is the table layout. Baccarat Banque is often called Baccarat à Deux Tableaux, which translates to “Baccarat on two tables.” This is because the Banker plays against two separate Player hands simultaneously.
The Right and Left Tables
The large, oval table is divided into two halves, one on the dealer’s right and one on the left. The dealer deals three hands in total: one for the Banker (in the middle), one for the right side of players, and one for the left side.
Wagering Rules
Players seated on the right side can only bet on the right Player hand, and players on the left can only bet on the left. Players can also choose to “go bank,” a bold move where they wager an amount equal to the Banker’s entire stake on a single hand.
Gameplay and Strategic Choices
The flow of the game centers around the Banker’s contest against the two Player hands.
The Drawing Rules
The rules for drawing a third card are generally the same as in Chemin de Fer. The player representing each hand has the option to draw or stand on a total of 5, introducing an element of skill. The Banker, in turn, makes their decision based on their knowledge of these rules.
The Banker’s Strategy
The strategic complexity for the Banker is significantly higher than in Chemin de Fer. The Banker must play their single hand against two different Player hands. This requires a more nuanced approach, as the optimal decision for the Banker might change depending on the wagers placed on each side of the table and the actions of the two opposing players. The Banker must weigh how to play their hand to maximize their chances of winning against both tables.
Feature | Baccarat Banque | Chemin de Fer |
|---|---|---|
Banker Role | Semi-permanent (by auction/bid) | Rotates among players on a loss |
Player Hands | Two separate hands (Right & Left) | One collective Player hand |
Banker’s Opponent | Plays against two hands at once | Plays against one “punter” |
Betting | Players bet on their side of the table | All players bet on the single Player hand |
Conclusion: The Ancestor of Modern Baccarat
While you are unlikely to find a Baccarat Banque game in a modern casino, understanding its rules provides a fascinating glimpse into the history of Baccarat. Its semi-permanent Banker and the unique challenge of playing against two hands at once showcase a more complex and strategic version of the game. It stands as the aristocratic ancestor to the faster, more streamlined versions we play today, a crucial chapter in the story of Baccarat’s evolution from a game of skill for the elite to a game of chance for the masses.