Baccarat Table Layout
Baccarat Tables and Different Layouts Available to Land-Based and Online Players
If you are a fan of Bond movies, chances are, you have seen the double-oh-seven character playing baccarat in a secluded area of a classy casino. That said, you probably cannot recall the layout of the table if you have no previous experience playing the card game. We can assure you that there is nothing too complicated about the baccarat table, despite the fact that there are several variations of the baccarat table layout you can come across. As the card game is available at numerous brick-and-mortar casinos, it is possible to discover a few different variations of baccarat across casino floors.
Despite having slightly different layouts, baccarat tables tend to share many similarities. That allows players to adjust easily to any type of situation, allowing a smooth gaming experience with any baccarat variation. As the game has become popular among virtual casinos, one can find different baccarat games at numerous online casinos. Typically, due to the nature of online play, virtual baccarat tables use the Mini Baccarat layout, making the whole betting experience easier and more personal.
No matter the destination you choose to enjoy your baccarat gaming sessions, the baccarat table basics can help you enjoy equally exciting gaming experiences online and offline. If you need help understanding the baccarat table layout, we recommend checking the article we have provided below.
Sections of The Baccarat Table
Whether you are approaching the baccarat pit in a brick-and-mortar casino or you have joined a gaming site, you will be able to pick a table with betting limits that will suit your bankroll. Generally speaking, the layout of baccarat tables is all the same but there might be some tweaks in the design or the position of the playing sections.
Despite the differences in baccarat tables, you will always have two sections which will be named “BANK” and “PLAYER”. You may come across tables that accept up to 24 players but the number of available seats can be much lower. No matter how many players are joining the game, however, you will notice that the seat with number 13 is nowhere to be seen. This is due to the negative connotations attached to the number considered unlucky. The baccarat table is comprised of two identical halves, each of which displays the sections that correspond to the seats of players.
One of the sections on the table is for the caller. This is the dealer who follows the game and calls out each move. Since the caller is well aware of the gaming rules, he/she will also announce when a hit is supposed to be done or when a certain hand has to stand. It is this particular dealer’s duty to also announce the winners and collect commissions. Thanks to the caller, you will be able to keep track of the game. That said, players might often ask to be provided with a pad and a pen to be able to write down and detect the winning tendencies in the game.
In front of the caller, there are cash slots where players place their money in order to buy chips. Between the slots, there is also a place designated for the cards that have already been used in the game. If we assume that you have sat on seat 7, your bets will be placed either in the “Players” or “Bankers” section of the 7th position on the table. Since baccarat also allows players to bet on the next coup resulting in a tie, they can put their bets in the center of the table layout, where the “Tie” section usually is marked. You will also notice that the payout of 8 to 1 is displayed in the respective “Tie” betting section.
You will notice that in front of the caller, there is a section with numbers which coincide with the seats on the table. This is the so-called commission section, which is handled only by the caller. Every time players win their bet on “Bankers” they owe the house a commission of 5%. Whenever they win a hand, either on “Bankers” or “Players” they are paid even money. However, whenever the winning bet was made on “Bankers”, the caller places a 5% chip on the commission section of the table, right on the number denoting the seat of the winner.
How to Settle on the Baccarat Table
As you approach the baccarat pit, you will be greeted by one of the house dealers in charge of each side of the table. The house dealer on your respective side will hand you your chips and you will be ready to play. During the game, you will also have the chance to exchange money for chips by notifying the house dealer. Simply put, it can be said that the main job of house dealers is to help players with their baccarat affairs. In addition to the exchange of money for chips, this type of dealer will also pay out your winning bets, keep track of the commission you owe every time you win a bet on “Bank”, and help you stay on top of your markers which is the money drawn on your credit.
When you play, you will notice that each baccarat table also has a supervisor who is in charge of keeping track of every move in the game. He/she has to stay alert and report any issue to the shift supervisor at any time during the game. You will also see that casinos use security cameras which help the security staff to monitor the course of the game.
Once you have exchanged your cash for chips and have joined the table, you may greet the other players by nodding your head. The play will be paused for a bit until your money is taken and replaced with piles of chips which are then placed in front of you by the head dealer on your side. An announcement by the caller will prompt players to place their bets and after a brief moment, the caller will notify that there are no more bets allowed.
Before you join a baccarat table, it is important to know the rules you will be playing with. Another key point of the etiquette that players must keep in mind is to never join the table when it is not the right time to do so. This includes instances when there is a current coup being played and players are waiting for the result. There are some cases when players might be invited to join the table while the game is still being played. Although it is okay to accept the invitation and take a seat, you should not attempt to place bets or try to distract the players who are currently at the table.
Another important thing is to pay your commission when you leave the table. Forgetting to pay what you owe the house is quite embarrassing. What is more, there is a reason why baccarat is considered a game for high-rollers and a part of the good etiquette includes tipping the dealers. A 25% tip is what is considered a decent amount but it is entirely up to you to decide how much you would actually tip the dealers.
If you are joining a Big Baccarat table, you are advised to dress up nicely as you may not be allowed to play if you are not wearing the proper casino attire. Another baccarat table etiquette feature concerns handling the cards. In some cases, players may be asked to handle the shoe, which essentially means that they will be dealing the cards to the other players. Usually, the player who has placed the biggest wager is given the shoe, or it is passed to those who have joined the table. There is nothing wrong with declining to handle the shoe but make sure to do it politely.
Different Baccarat Table Layouts
Once you have learned all of the baccarat table basics, you will have an easy time playing any variation of the game. Since the place where you play the game matters, the table size may differ, which will impose slight changes in its layout. Playing online will also present an altered look of the classic baccarat table, which should not scare players off. Even if there are slight alterations to the table layout, you will be able to spot all key betting elements of baccarat somewhere on the table.
Big Table Layout
Usually, big tables allow either 12 or 14 players to join the game at the same time. If you choose to play at a brick-and-mortar casino, chances are, you will find a full-size baccarat table. Despite the fact that big baccarat tables can be easily found at land-based casinos, you will not be able to spot them while roaming around the rest of the table games. This is due to the fact that full-size baccarat tables are typically intended for high-rollers, which means the game can be found in secluded areas, away from the rest of the casino games. The players who join Big Table Baccarat are usually dressed to the nines, fitting the overall sentiment of the game.
The middle part of the table is designated for the caller and this is why there is a U-shaped cut. Based on the betting possibilities at the beginning of the game, there are three betting sections on the table, as well as three different dealers (a caller and two house dealers) that run the game.
The Big Table Baccarat often has high betting limits which may range between $50 and $100,000, sometimes even higher. This type of baccarat table has two sides that look almost the same, representing the betting sections for each seat on the table. There is a house dealer in charge of each side of the table, while a third one (caller) seats in the middle where is the u-shaped cut.
Although there are different variations of baccarat, it is the Big Table Layout that is most suitable for high-rollers who enjoy playing with bigger stakes and embark on a more thrilling movie-like gambling experience.
In addition to the standard full-sized table, players may come acrossthe Big Baccarat version, which is conducted only by two dealers. The shape of the table in Big Baccarat is also slightly altered to fit the betting style of the game. The midi-baccarat is also another variant of the classic card game, very similar to the full-sized baccarat version. That said, it allows lower betting limits and the table can fit only 9 players.
Mini Baccarat Table Layout
While back in the day baccarat was considered a game suitable only for high-rollers, thanks to Mini Baccarat, even those who make smaller bets will be able to enjoy the fun the casino classic provides. The more reasonable betting options of Mini Baccarat have made the game quite popular among both high-rollers and regular players. When you play mini baccarat, you will come across betting limits which usually vary between $5 and $25.
The Mini Baccarat table can host up to 7 players, and just like the name of the game suggests, the size of the table is a lot smaller. The caller’s responsibilities are still the same, running the game from the middle part of the table. Next to him/her is the rack with betting chips as well as the commission section with 7 positions corresponding to the players who have joined the game.
The rules of Mini Baccarat are similar to the ones used in American Baccarat, however, the semi-circle shape of the table has the players and the caller facing each other. Another layout specific is that the betting sections “Player” and “Banker” are marked on the players’ side of the table.
Even when you play Mini Baccarat, you will clearly see the three different betting sections marked on the table’s layout in front of each player on the table. The betting option which is the closest to the caller is the one that allows placing chips on “Tie”. The next section is the one that indicates the “Banker” bets, while the sections right in front of every seat on the table allow betting on “Player”.
The strict dress code that needs to be met at Big Baccarat tables is not an issue when it comes to Mini Baccarat. This is why a lot of players feel a lot more comfortable playing this variation, sparing them the uncomfortable feeling of being judged too harshly about their clothing choices. If you feel like the full-sized table is way too pretentious for you, try Mini Baccarat which is perfect for players who do not enjoy making way too risky bets and dressing up just so they can sit on the table.
Online Baccarat Table Layout
As virtual casinos have become a new trend among gambling enthusiasts around the world, gaming diversity is constantly increasing. This is why baccarat can be found on numerous casino sites where fans of the game can enjoy their virtual betting.
The tables that you will come across online, resemble the layout of Mini Baccarat. This means that the betting table is a lot smaller and the fact that you are the only player, makes the compact size more convenient. You will yet again have the three betting sections in front of you, the “Player” one being the closest one to you, followed by the “Banker” and the “Tie” furthest from you. There is also the payout for “Tie” usually displayed on the table felt. Depending on the baccarat variation you have chosen, you might also be able to place a side bet. If this is an available feature, you will clearly see the additional betting section on the baccarat table.
One of the reasons why many players enjoy playing online baccarat is the fact that they can pick a variation that suits their bankroll perfectly. This way they do not have to refrain from playing just because they cannot make high bets.
In addition to games with wonderful graphics and sound effects, gaming developers have introduced a brand-new variation of online baccarat. Thanks to the innovative solutions developed by the Live Casino industry, players have the chance to stay in the comfort of their own homes and still play with a real professional dealer. Thanks to numerous Live Casino studious around the world, gambling aficionados enjoy an authentic baccarat experience with a gaming setup and tables that resemble the ones at top-class brick-and-mortar casinos. Some VIP tables are yet again dedicated to one player at a time and there is just a single dealer, with a table layout resembling the one of Mini Baccarat.
At many interactive casinos, there is also a live dealer version of Dragon Tiger which is another interesting variation of baccarat. If you decide to play the game, you will notice that you can bet either on Tiger or Dragon and each of the sides can draw just a single card. The table layout is very similar to Mini Baccarat but instead of “Banker” and “Player”, you will see betting sections “Dragon” and “Tiger”, which are extremely popular with Asian players. Betting on a “Tie” is also possible while some variations may also introduce some special side bet options.