Baccarat Terms

Anyone can play – that’s the beauty of baccarat. But despite its simplicity, this iconic casino card game has a vast range of features, gameplay, and ways to win.

So, if you want to play baccarat with the confidence of James Bond, make sure to read our comprehensive glossary of terms, brush up on your slang, and see for yourself why baccarat is loved by millions.

Completely new to baccarat? You can learn how to play baccarat here.

Baccarat Terms for Beginners

Action

The total amount of money bet over a certain period of time, either on a single round or across a full baccarat session.

Baccarat

The name of the game. Also known as ‘Punto Banco’. Baccarat means ‘zero’ in Italian, and refers to a hand of zero value (the worst hand possible).

Banco

Spanish for ‘banker’ or ‘bank’. The dealer in baccarat. Also known as a ‘shooter’.

Banker Bet

One of the three bets you can make in baccarat. This is when you bet on the banker’s hand winning (as opposed to a ‘player bet’). Pays 1 to 1, but 5% commission is deducted from winning bets.

Bankroll

The budget you have set aside for the baccarat session. Always play within your limits.

Carte

The French equivalent of ‘hit’ in blackjack. Used to request another card from the dealer (if you have a total of seven or less).

Commission

Winning banker and player bets are subject to a 5% commission. Also known as ‘vigorish’.

Coup

A French term that refers to a round of play in baccarat.

Croupier

A French term that refers to the ‘dealer’.

Dealer

Also known as the ‘banco’ or ‘croupier’. The dealer is responsible for dealing cards and running the game. In some variations, the player may act as the dealer.

Down Card

A card that is face down. Also known as a ‘hole card’.

Face Cards

A card that is a Jack, Queen, or King of any suit. Each face card has a value of 0 in baccarat. Also known as a ‘monkey’.

Hand

The cards that are played during a round of baccarat.

House Edge

The mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player, often expressed as a percentage. Baccarat is known for its low house edge.

La Grande

The best hand in baccarat – a natural 9. Also known as ‘The Big One’.

La Petite

A natural baccarat that totals eight. Also known as ‘The Little One’.

Natural

When the first two cards dealt total either eight or nine. In some casinos, a ‘natural eight’ pays out at 2 to 1, while a ‘natural nine’ pays 3 to 1.

Player Bet

One of the three bets you can make in baccarat. When you bet on the player’s hand winning (as opposed to a ‘banker bet’). Pays out at 1 to 1.

Punter/Punto

The person playing the game. Also known as ‘punto’ in Spanish. Not to be confused with ‘player’, which usually refers to one of the three available bets in baccarat.

Punto Banco

The most popular modern form of baccarat, where the ‘punto’ bets on whether the player or banker hand wins. Developed in Argentina in the 1940s.

Push/Standoff

A tie – when both the player and banker hand has the same total. The stake is held over for the next round.

Tie Bet

One of the three bets you can make in baccarat. Pays 8 to 1 (or sometimes 9 to 1).

Upcard

A card turned face up.

Advanced Baccarat Terminology

Banque

A variation of baccarat that is popular across Europe. Played with two players (plus the banker) across two conjoined tables.

Burn Card(s)

The top three to six cards that are discarded by the croupier after shuffling, before the start of a new game. A process known as ‘burning’.

Caller

One of the casino staff members who is responsible for the cards on the baccarat table.

Chemin De Fer

Also known as ‘European Baccarat’ or ‘Railroad’. One of the most popular baccarat variations. The player acts as the bank – dealing the cards and taking all bets.

Cheques

The chips used in baccarat.

Cheval

A type of bet made by two players. The bet is won when both players win, and lost when both players lose. If one player wins and the other loses, this is known as a ‘stand-off’.

Cut/Cut Card

When dealers split the deck of cards (with a plastic card) after they are shuffled.

Discard Tray

A tray that holds the cards that have been burned, played, or discarded for any reason.

Dragon 7 Bet

A side bet. The bet is won if the dealer has three cards with a total of seven that beats the player’s hand. Pays 40 to 1.

Dragon Bonus

A side bet. The bet is won if the player’s chosen hand wins by at least four points.

Flat Bet

When a player bets the same amount consistently over a long period.

Ladderman

One of the three dealers of baccarat; the dealer who runs the game.

Loss Bet

A bet placed against the bank. Aptly named due to the higher house edge.

Monkey

A ten or face card.

Muck

A freshly shuffled ‘shoe’. Contains eight decks of 52 cards each.

Palette

The long wooden stick used by croupiers for moving cards on the table.

Panda 8 Bet

A side bet. The bet is won if the player has a three-card total of eight which beats the dealer’s hand. Pays 25 to 1.

Pass

A win.

Run

A side bet that lets you place bets on multiple hands.

Shoe

The machine on the table that shuffled cards are placed in and dealt from. Contains six or eight decks of 52 cards to be used for the game.

Shuffle Up

Refers to the early shuffling of cards by the dealer.

Streak

Several wins or losses in a row; consecutive results.

Super Pan Nine

A variation of baccarat. As opposed to betting on the player or dealer hand, the player is pitted against the dealer, and both start with three cards instead of two.

 

Now you know some of the lingo, are you ready for an authentic casino experience? Play baccarat online at William Hill Vegas.

Or want to see our baccarat terms in action? Here’s our beginner’s guide to baccarat.