Baccarat Glossary
Upcard, Tie Bets - Terms to know to play like a pro.
A
Action
The total amount wagered by a player during a baccarat session.
B
Baccarat
Pronounced bah-kuh-rah, a gambling card game, the goal of which is to win by holding two or three cards totaling closest to nine in total.
Banco
Called out when a player decides to bet his entire bankroll. Also means the banker (e.g. dealer).
Banker
One of the three common bets available in a standard baccarat table with a payout of 1:1 minus the banker's commission. An equivocal term, the term can also refer to the actual dealer/croupier in charge of the game.
Banker/Player Bet
Wagering on either the player or the dealer active on the table.
Bankroll
The total amount of wager money a player brings to the table.
Burn
Discarding a number of cards in the dealing shoe's beginning.
Burned Card
A special card which is discarded before the cards are dealt. "Carte Brûlée" in French.
C
Carte
Term used to request a card from the dealer ("card" in French).
Chemin de fer
A French casino card game from which Baccarat originated. Still played today as a variation of Baccarat.
Commission
A 5% charge on winning bank bets (also known as "Vigorish").
Coup
A single round of baccarat consisting of hands both from the players and the dealer.
Cut Card
A plastic card used to cut between the different decks of cards.
D
Dealing Shoe
Compartment harboring the decks of cards from which they are dealt. Called "sabot" in French.
Downcard
A face down card.
F
Face Cards
Jack, Queen or King of any suit.
Fade
A bet in opposition to the bank (also dubbed Loss bet).
H
Hand
The set of cards dealt both to the players and dealer.
High Roller
A player who places high wagers.
House Advantage
A casino levy collected at the end of every baccarat game from the share of all players, usually not exceeding the five percent.
L
Le Grande
Baccarat's best hand, a hand dealt as a natural with the value of 9.
La Petite
Baccarat's second best hand, a hand dealt as a natural with the value of 8.
M
Mini-Baccarat
A game with similar rules to Baccarat, only with fewer players and dealers. Mini-Baccarat is not as popular at online casinos.
N
Natural
Term relating to a good hand dealt to the player, be it La Petite or La Grande.
P
Player Bet
One of baccarat's three bets with a payout of 8:1 and a house advantage just below 15%.
Punto
The baccarat player ("point" in Italian), also used for the bet option (see above).
Q
Punto Banco
Another name for Baccarat.
S
Stand
Holding to one's position without drawing additional cards.
Standoff
A tie between the player and the banker.
T
Tie Bet
A bet on a standoff (see above) with a payout of 8:1 and house advantage of almost 15%.
U
Upcard
A face up card.
