Basic Baccarat

Every baccarat player should know the basic terms of the game.  If you are unfamiliar with the rules of baccarat, it may be a good idea to print this page for quick reference while learning them.  If you already know the rules and would simply like to look up a word you have frequently heard at the baccarat table, it will be listed in alphabetical order and described below:

Baccarat – A card value or 0.

Burning top cards – When the dealer discards the top three to six cards immediately after shuffling a new deck of cards.

Caller – The casino personnel, or croupier, who is responsible for overseeing the entire game and making calls on hands.

Commission – The percentage amount that is collected for winning bets made on the bank hand.  The amount is normally 5%.

Coup – Another word for a bet.

Croupiers – Two casino personnel situated on both ends of the baccarat table who take and disburse chips to seated players.

Fading – The act of putting down bets or coups.

La Grande – A hand value of 9 (The best hand possible for baccarat).

La Petite – The second best baccarat hand - valued at 8.

Loss bet – A bet that the Casino loses.

Muck – The entire number of cards that are used at the baccarat table (this is usually eight decks, which equates to 416 cards).

Natural – A hand value of 8 or 9.  See the definitions for La Grande and La Petite.

Palette – A wooden device used by casino personnel to handle chips at difficult-to-reach places on the baccarat table.

Pass – Another word for a Win.

Push – When a bet remains on the baccarat table due to a tie between the banker and player hands.  This supposes the casino does not allow ties.

Shills – Players who are actually paid by the casino and given casino money to make bets and attract other legitimate gamblers.

Shoe – A contraption that helps to deal cards and prevent any misdeals from happening.

Shooter – Another word used for the Bank Hand (probably derived from craps)

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