| Casino
Baccarat games is played at a table. Two or more Casino
Baccarat games tables together are callerd a Casino Baccarat games
Pit. The pit is usually separated ficnn the regular
casino area and easy to spot. Look for velvet ropes,
dealers in tuxedos, and high rollers. If you have
the money to wager, don't be put off by the continental
airs. Walk into the pit and choose a seat as you
would at any casino table. Many casinos use special
Casino Baccarat games chips (more correctly referred to
as cheques) that are larger than normal. This is
yet another touch intended to enhance the continental
feeling. You obviously don't have to shout "change"
here as you would playing craps. Put your money
down and ask for cheques. A crew of three dealers
and a concierge or two will attend to your every
need.
The Grand Shuffle
The shuffle for Casino Baccarat games is like everything
else, an elaborate affair. Eight decks are mixed
in an elegant performance. One player is offered
the cut. The decks are then placed into a shoe similar
to one used in Casino blackjack. In casino Baccarat games
the shoe is called the bank. The first card is turned
over and its number indicates how many additional
cards will be burned (discarded).
Dealing and Playing
One dealer, known as the caller, runs the games.
Two additional dealers across the table handle the
financial matters. At the beginning of the games
(assuming all the players have just arrived) the
first player to the caller's right is offered the
bank and an opportunity to deal the cards as banker.
It sounds important, but the procedure is simple
and is done completely at the direction of the caller.
Players (including the banker) bet player, banker,
or tie by placing chips in the appropriate space
on the layout in front of them. When the wagering
is finished, the caller instructs the banker to
deal four cards face down into two hands: "Card
for the player. Card for the banker." It's
easy to follow. The banker pushes the first and
third card (player's hand) to the center of the
table and tucks the second and fourth card (banker's
hand) slightly under the edge of the shoe. The caller
uses a long paddle to pick up the player's hand
and deliver it to the person who made the highest
wager on player. That person looks at the cards
and then turns them over with an appropriate expression
of either smugness or disgust. The caller retrieves
the hand (or the player pushes/tosses it to the
caller) and the two cards are placed at the center
of the table.
The banker then reveals his hand. An additional
card or two may be drawn at the caller's direction,
and the contest is finished. If banker wins, the
shoe stays with the person who is dealing. A win
for player moves the shoe counterclockwise to the
next person. Banking is not mandatory and you (like
James Bond) may offer your regrets and pass the
shoe to Andre.
Of course, none of this elaborate ritual has any
effect on the games. The moves are predetermined.
One dealer could do everything. And that is exactly
how the low-stakes version of Baccarat games works. |
