Glossary of Baccarat Terms and Slangs

Baccarat is one of the most elegant and timeless casino games, often seen as a favorite among high-rollers and VIP players. The game’s objective is straightforward — bet on the Player, Banker, or a Tie, and let the cards decide the outcome. To help you get started or refine your strategy, we’ve created a detailed glossary of essential baccarat terms. This guide will make it easier to navigate the game.

A

Action - Refers to the total amount of money wagered by a player during a baccarat session.

B

Baccarat - The name of the game, meaning "zero" in Italian, referring to the worst possible hand.

Banco - Spanish for "bank" or "banker"; refers to the dealer or player holding the shoe in baccarat.

Banco Prime - The privilege of matching the bank's wager if more than one player calls "Banco."

Banker Bet - A bet placed on the banker’s hand to win, with a 5% commission on winnings.

Banque - A European variation of baccarat played across two conjoined tables with one banker.

Bankroll - The total amount of money a player sets aside for gambling.

Burning - The process of discarding the top cards after shuffling before a new game starts.

C

Caller - A casino staff member responsible for announcing points and handling the cards during baccarat.

Carte - A French term used to request another card from the dealer, similar to "hit" in blackjack.

Chemin De Fer - A popular European variation of baccarat where players take turns acting as the banker.

Cheques - Special chips used in land-based baccarat games.

Cheval - A bet placed on two hands, won if both hands win or lost if both hands lose.

Commission - A 5% fee taken by the house from winning banker bets.

Coup - A single round or hand of baccarat.

Croupier - A French term for the dealer responsible for managing the game.

Cut - Dividing the deck after shuffling, typically done with a plastic cut card.

Cut Card - A plastic card used to cut the deck after shuffling.

D

Dealer - The person responsible for dealing cards and running the game in baccarat.

Deux Tableau - Another term for the Banque variation of baccarat.

Discard Tray - A tray used to hold discarded or burned cards.

Down Card - A card dealt face down, also known as a "hole card."

Dragon Bonus - A side bet that pays if the player’s hand wins by at least four points.

E

Edge Sorting - A controversial technique of identifying card values based on imperfections in the card design.

F

Face Cards - Cards with portraits (Jack, Queen, King) valued at zero in baccarat.

Fading - Placing bets against the bank or another player in a land-based game.

Flat Bet - Consistently betting the same amount regardless of wins or losses.

H

Hand - The cards dealt to the player or banker during a round.

High Roller - A player who bets large amounts of money.

House Edge - The mathematical advantage that the casino has over the player.

L

Ladderman - One of the three casino staff members running a baccarat game, overseeing the table.

La Grande - A natural hand totaling nine, considered the best hand in baccarat.

La Petite - A natural hand totaling eight, the second-best hand in baccarat.

Layout - The design of the baccarat table, including designated betting areas.

Loss Bet - A bet against the bank, often associated with a higher house edge.

M

Match Play - A promotion where the casino matches the player’s bet with bonus money.

Mini Baccarat - A faster-paced version of baccarat played at a smaller table with lower stakes.

Monkey - A slang term for any 10-value card (10, Jack, Queen, King).

Muck - The collection of shuffled cards used in the game, typically consisting of six or eight decks.

N

Natural - When the first two cards dealt total either eight or nine, ending the round.

P

Palette - A long wooden tool used by croupiers to move cards around the table.

Panda 8 Bet - A side bet won when the player’s hand totals eight with three cards, paying 25 to 1.

Pass - A term used to signify a win.

Pit - The exclusive area in a casino where high-stakes baccarat games are played.

Player - One of the three main bets in baccarat, referring to the player’s hand.

Punter - A term for a player or bettor, especially in UK casinos.

Punto - The Spanish term for "player."

Punto Banco - The most common version of baccarat, popular in casinos worldwide.

Push - A tie in baccarat where no money is won or lost.

R

Railroad - Another term for Chemin de Fer, the European version of baccarat.

Run - A side bet that allows players to bet on a series of consecutive hands.

S

Shills - Casino employees who encourage other players to join baccarat games.

Shoe - A device used to hold and deal cards in baccarat, typically containing six to eight decks.

Shooter - Another term for the banker or dealer in baccarat.

Shuffle Up - The early shuffling of cards by the dealer to prevent players from counting cards.

Skill - A playful term used when a player has a good winning streak.

Standoff - A tie in baccarat where the player’s and banker’s hands have the same value.

Streak - A series of consecutive wins or losses.

Super Pan Nine - A variation of baccarat where players are dealt three cards instead of two.

T

Table of Play - The set of rules governing when the player or banker must draw a third card.

Tie - One of the three main bets in baccarat. Pays out 8 to 1 or 9 to 1.

U

Upcard - A card dealt face up.

V

Vigorish - A term for the commission taken by the house from winning bets, typically 5%.

VIP - A "very important person," often referring to high-rollers who receive special treatment from the casino.