Chemin de Fer: Playing Baccarat French Style

The game of baccarat has many forms and Chemin de Fer is one of them. This is the type of baccarat the originated from France where six decks of cards are used in the game.

The cards should have the same pattern as they will be shuffled all together. On the table, a basket is placed at the center for discarded cards and players should be seated around it. The croupier will shuffle the cards first then passed on to the players who will take turns in shuffling the cards. After the last player had shuffled the cards, the croupier will shuffle them last time and offers the player on his immediate left to cut the cards.

The dealer will then present his wager and the players will follow on, wagering on the amount they are willing to stake. The player at the immediate right of the dealer is allowed to make a wager against the entire stakes that the banker has presented. If none of the players want to play against the banker, they can just place their stakes.

When the total stakes of the players is lesser than the amount of the bank, other players may increase the stakes by adding their wagers. If the total stakes is higher than the amount of the bank, the players at the dealer's immediate sides can add more wagers. Take note that the banker has the right to decide if he'll accept or decline the stake being offered in excess of what's in the bank.

Four cards face down will be dealt by the banker; whereby the first card is for the players on his right side, second card to himself, third card for players on his left, and the fourth card to himself again. Whoever has the highest stake represents the other players, if there are two players who have equal stakes, the one who is always first in the rotation will be given preference.

The players are then allowed to look at their own cards and if the cards are equal to nine or an eight the player should turn them up and announce the number aloud; this ends the hand. If in case the banker has a better hand, all the players' stakes will be part of the bank, if not, he should pay each of the players with the amount of his stake.

Another round begins with wagering stakes. In this case, if the banker has won the first round he will deal the cards, if not, the cards will be passed to the next player in rotation and he, in turn, will act as the banker.