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Explore all baccarat variations including Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, Baccarat Banque, Mini Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, and Speed Baccarat with rules and differences.
Reviewed by Card Games Academy Editorial Team · Traditional Card Games Researchers
Quick answer: The main baccarat variations are Punto Banco (casino standard), Chemin de Fer (player-as-banker), Baccarat Banque (fixed banker), Mini Baccarat (fast-paced), and EZ Baccarat (commission-free).
You are viewing the variations section for Baccarat. The content below starts with key takeaways, then goes deeper with examples and common scenarios.
Players
1-14
Duration
5-10 min per round
Category
comparison
How many types of baccarat are there? There are six major baccarat variations played worldwide. The most common is Punto Banco (the standard casino version), followed by Chemin de Fer (the original European version), Baccarat Banque, Mini Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, and Speed Baccarat.
| Variation | Banker | Player Decisions | Typical Setting | House Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punto Banco | Casino | None | Casinos worldwide |
Main Variations
6 major types
Most Popular
Punto Banco
Oldest Form
Chemin de Fer
Fastest Variant
Speed Baccarat
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| 1.06% (Banker) |
| Chemin de Fer | Rotating player | Yes (draw or stand) | European casinos, private games | Varies by skill |
| Baccarat Banque | Fixed player (auction) | Yes (draw or stand) | French casinos | Varies by skill |
| Mini Baccarat | Casino (dealer) | None | Casinos (lower limits) | 1.06% (Banker) |
| EZ Baccarat | Casino | None | Select casinos | 1.02% (Banker) |
| Speed Baccarat | Casino | None | Online casinos | 1.06% (Banker) |
Punto Banco is the version most people mean when they say "baccarat." It is the dominant form in North American, Asian, and online casinos.
Unlike Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque, the "Player" and "Banker" in Punto Banco are simply names for two hands — they do not represent actual players. The casino covers all bets. This is why Punto Banco is purely a game of chance with no strategic card-play decisions.
Chemin de Fer ("railway" in French) is the original form of baccarat and the version played by James Bond in the novels by Ian Fleming.
When a hand totals 5, the player (or banker) may choose to draw or stand. This introduces a skill element:
Baccarat Banque (also called "Baccarat à Deux Tableaux") is the third major traditional variation and is the version most popular in French casinos.
At the start of a shoe, the banker position is auctioned to the highest bidder among the players. The winning bidder becomes the banker and remains so until they choose to retire or the shoe ends.
Baccarat Banque uses a distinctive layout with two player sides:
Mini Baccarat is not a different game but a scaled-down presentation of Punto Banco designed for lower limits and faster play.
EZ Baccarat is a commission-free variant developed in 2004 that has grown popular in North American casinos.
In EZ Baccarat, when the Banker wins with a three-card total of 7, the result is a push (not a win for the Banker). This single rule change replaces the commission and gives the house its edge.
Speed Baccarat is an online casino innovation designed for players who want maximum hands per hour.
A commission-free variant where the Banker bet pays even money, but a winning Banker hand with a total of 6 pays only 50%. The house edge on the Banker bet rises to 1.46%.
Often classified alongside baccarat despite being a simpler game. Two cards are dealt (one Dragon, one Tiger), and players bet on which is higher. No drawing rules, no third cards. House edge is approximately 3.73% on the main bets.
Similar to Chemin de Fer but the Banker has more freedom in deciding whether to draw a third card. Found in some European casinos.
| Your Priority | Best Variation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest house edge | EZ Baccarat (Banker bet) | 1.02% house edge |
| Most available | Punto Banco | Found in virtually every casino |
| Lowest minimums | Mini Baccarat | $5 minimums are common |
| Skill element | Chemin de Fer | Player decisions on drawing |
| Fastest play | Speed Baccarat | 130+ hands per hour |
| Classic experience | Big Baccarat (Punto Banco) | Full-size table, ritual squeezing |
| No commission math | EZ Baccarat | Push replaces commission |