Baccarat’s global popularity has made it a casino staple, yet few players have experienced the oldest variant of the game — Baccarat Banque. Also called Baccarat Deux Tables (Double-Table Baccarat), it dates back to the late 18th century, when French aristocrats made it a favorite pastime.
Baccarat Banque is still played in European casinos as one of the three main baccarat variants, but its unique rules rarely translate to online baccarat. The table layout and gameplay are difficult to replicate digitally. Keep reading to discover how Baccarat Banque works and what makes it stand out.
Baccarat Banque Basics
Baccarat Banque is played at a special oval table that accommodates five players on either side, featuring two cut-outs in the middle—shaped somewhat like a cello. One cut-out is for the croupier, and the other for the Banque. Unlike typical baccarat, where the house acts as banker, here a player assumes the banker role.
At the start, an “auction” determines who becomes the Banque. Players place chips in front of them, and the highest bidder becomes the banker. This also sets the maximum amount the Banque can lose on a single hand.
The croupier then shuffles multiple decks in a shoe, allowing players on both sides to reshuffle before passing it to the Banque for the final shuffle. Cards are dealt face down, alternately to the right-hand player, left-hand player, and Banque until each has two cards. The two players compete against the Banque.
Guide to Playing Baccarat Banque
Players can bet on the hand of the player on their side, the hand on the opposite side, or both—but betting on the banker’s hand is not allowed. Betting begins with the player to the right of the banker, then alternates to the left until all bets are placed.
Players may declare “Go bank,” matching the banker’s stake to try and bust them and take over the Banque. If a player goes bank on both sides, stakes are halved. Each player can go bank a maximum of three times during a game.
Baccarat odds and payouts follow standard rules, but table limits depend on the banker’s stake. For example, if the Banque stakes $1,500, total player bets cannot exceed that. Winning bets pay even money, with the casino taking a 5% commission on winning banker bets. The banker remains in position until either the shoe is played out or they lose their money.
Players Versus Banker
Once all bets are placed, hands are revealed and scored according to standard rules: aces count as one, cards 2–9 count as their face value, and tens and face cards count as zero. Hands totaling ten or more drop the first digit (e.g., 9 + 6 = 15 → 5).
A natural occurs if the initial two cards total eight or nine, giving an automatic win against lower hands. In a natural-versus-natural situation, nine beats eight. Ties are pushes, and tie bets are not available in Banque.
If no natural occurs, players and the banker may draw additional cards. Players to the banker’s left and right represent their table halves as long as they continue winning. Losing hands pass to the next player in turn, though some casinos allow the largest bettor to take the position.
Hands are resolved in this order: right-hand player, left-hand player, then banker. Players follow drawing rules similar to Chemin de Fer: draw on four or less, draw or stand on five, and stand on six or seven. The banker may draw or stand freely. Mastering when to draw or stand is key to improving at baccarat.
While baccarat strategy options are limited, deciding whether to hit or stand on five is one choice players can make. Bankers generally hit on totals of zero to five and stand on six or seven. Using betting systems may help manage wins and losses, but proper bankroll management is the cornerstone of Baccarat Banque strategy.
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