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Chemin De Fer Baccarat – Rules Strategy & Tips

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How to Play Chemin De Fer

Chemin De Fer otherwise known as French Baccarat is a form of Baccarat where players bet against another player.

Instead of player versus banker as in other forms of the game, in Chemin De Fer or French Baccarat, one player takes on the role of the banker each hand and risks their own money against other players at the table. The casino takes a percentage of winning bets as their ‘fee’ to ensure they make money as well.

The remaining rules of the game are like other Baccarat variants.

Chemin De Fer Baccarat game Example

A typical screenshot of a game of Chemin De Fer (French Baccarat) is shown above. Note the number of players with a bet at the table. The banker needs to match all these bets in order for them all to count.

Chemin De Fer Rules

A standard game is played with 6 decks of cards and can feature anywhere between 8 and 12 players.

At the start of the game, the player to the right of the croupier has the choice to become the banker. All others at the table are deemed as players and can only bet on the player to win.

If the player to the right of the croupier agrees to be the banker for that hand, they decide how much of their own money they are prepared to risk. They are able to pass on being the banker if they wish, in which case the next player to the right of the croupier is offered the choice.

Once the banker has decided how much they are willing to risk, play continues to all other players who make their bet.

Once all players have made a bet, if the amount exceeds the amount the banker is prepared to risk, they can either increase the amount to match the other players or stick with what they agreed. In the case of the latter, the last bets to be placed are removed from the table until the 2 amounts are equal. The earlier you place your bet as a player, the more chance you have of it being covered.

If the banker is prepared to risk more than the players at the table, in a land-based casino any spectators have the chance to place a bet as well.

Once bets have been placed, the player with the highest bet gets to act as the player against the banker. In the event of 2 or more players having an equal highest bet, the player who placed their bet first gets to decide what happens during the hand.

2 cards are now dealt – face down – to the player and to the banker.

They both now look at their cards in secret, not allowing the other to view their hand. The player can show the other players if they wish.

It is worth reminding you at this point that the scoring is the same as all other forms of Baccarat. Aces are worth 1 point, 10, and picture cards 0 points, and all numbers are of equal value to their pips. If the total is 10 or more, only the last digit counts. The aim is to get as high total as you can with 9 or 19 as this counts as 9 as well. The best hand possible.

If either has a hand worth 8 or 9 points, they turn the cards over and the hand ends. The highest total wins.

If neither the banker nor the player has an 8 or 9, the player now has a choice to make. Unlike in other versions of Baccarat, the player can choose whether or not to take the 3rd card.

However, there are rules which should be adhered to in the game as you act for a number of other players as well, and detouring from it can be frowned upon if you lose.

The Players Rule

TotalPlayer action
0 to 4Draw a card
5Draw or stand
6 or 7Stand
8 or 9Hand over before 3rd card taken



Only really when a player has a total of 5 do they get to choose whether or not to draw a 3rd card, it is down to the player in charge of the hand to make this decision.

If the player draws a 3rd card, it is dealt face up so the banker can also see the extra card.
Although the banker has the decision as to whether to take a 3rd card, there is also a general consensus as to what they should do with only 2 cases of the banker deciding what to do. The table below gives further information on this:

Banker totalBanker DrawsBanker StandsUp to Banker
0 to 2Always DrawsNever
3If player 3rd card is 1 to 7 or 10If player 3rd card is 8If player 3rd card is 9
4If player 3rd card is 2 to 7If player 3rd card is 0,1,8 or 9
5If player 3rd card is 5 to 7If player 3rd card is 0,1,2,3,8 or 9If player 3rd card is 4
6If player 3rd card is 6 or 7If player 3rd card is 0 to 5 or 8 or 9
7NeverAlways Stands
8 or 9No 3rd card drawnNo 3rd card drawn

**If the Player stands, the Banker should draw a 3rd card with a total of 0 to 5 and stand on 6 or 7

Once all cards have been dealt, both hands are turned over and winnings paid. If the player has a higher total, all players whose bets were accepted are paid out at 1 to 1 from the funds set aside by the banker.

If the banker has the higher hand, the banker wins all the player bets less 5% which is paid to the casino.

In the event of a tie, the bets are left on the table and paid out the following hand when either the player or banker wins.

As you can see, being the banker means you can potentially win a higher amount than when you are a player, however, you do risk more in this position too as you are potentially betting against several players at any one time.

Once a hand has finished, the banker has the chance to remain as the banker for the next hand. They will need to risk more funds in order to do this or pass it on to the next player. It is considered bad practice in Chemin De Fer and French Baccarat to give up the banker position if you win after the 1st hand, players should have at least one opportunity to win their money back. If the banker wins 3 or 4 times in a row, it is acceptable for them to allow the next player to replace them as the banker.

Chemin De Fer Strategy

Chemin De Fer/ French Baccarat strategy is the same as for the majority of the versions of baccarat. The player should take a further card when they have a total of 0 to 4 and stand if they have a 6 or 7. They have to stand on a total of 8 and 9 anyway so it is really just a total of 5 where they have a choice.

If the player stands, the banker should take a card with a total of 0 to 5 and stand on 7.

If the player takes a card, the banker should do the following when determining if they should take the 3rd card:

Player

Banker0123456789
7SSSSSSSSSS
6SSSSSSHHSS
5SSSS?HHHSS
4SSHHHHHHSS
3HHHHHHHHS?
2HHHHHHHHHH
1HHHHHHHHHH
0HHHHHHHHHH

 
The only situations dependent on what the player did are:

•If the player has a 5

•If the banker has a 6 and the player stood

•If the banker has a 5 and player hit and got a 4

•If the banker has a 3 and player hit and got a 9

 
In the above cases, the banker should copy the player’s actions and stand when they stand and hit when they hit. From the player point of view, they should mix it up whether they stand or hit on a 5 to confuse the banker, this gives them the best chance of winning the hand.

 

Chemin De Fer Tips

• Always check the odds at the tables. Some casinos offer better odds than others so check out our recommended casinos for where to play.

• Quit when you are ahead. It is very easy to get caught up in the game and think you are unbeatable only to go on a losing streak and lose the money you won. Have a target before you start to play and stick to it.

• Play short sessions. The casino will usually win in the long run. In theory, the longer you play the more chance you have of finishing with a loss.

• Manage your bankroll. To ensure the best possible amount of fun from a session break your bankroll down into a good number of bets and stick to this amount.

• Don’t chase losses. If you do have a losing session, it is tempting to deposit more to try and win back some of what you lost. This is a very bad idea in any casino game and should be avoided at all costs

Related Articles :

Baccarat Strategy
How to Play EZ Baccarat
How to Play European Baccarat

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About the author
Jennifer Lynn
With a steadfast 14-year journey at our side, Jennifer Lynn is a seasoned Online Casino Reviewer, Gambling Expert, and Daily News Writer. A journalism graduate from Arizona State University, her insightful prowess is enriched by her professional poker background. Her comprehensive mastery spans all casino games and strategies, a beacon for players and industry insiders alike. Beyond her expert role, Jennifer Lynn finds balance through equestrian pursuits and yoga, embodying a holistic approach to life and leisure.

FAQ

faq

What is Chemin De Fer Baccarat?

Chemin De Fer Baccarat is a variant of the popular casino game. The rules of the game are largely the same as the classic game, however, there are some very important differences that make the two games distinct.

faq

Are Chemin De Fer Baccarat and French Baccarat the same thing?

Yes. Chemin De Fer Baccarat is just another word for French Baccarat. So, when you hear people talking about French Baccarat, the things they say apply to Chemin de fer Baccarat as well. Chemin De Fer is French for Railway, so you might also encounter the game under this name Though this isn’t very common.

faq

What separates Chemin De Fer Baccarat from the classic game?

As many of you may know, Baccarat involves players competing against a banker, and hoping to guess who comes out with the higher result. In Chemin De Fer Baccarat, however, the same rules apply, with one major difference. There is no banker, and players compete against themselves rather than a banker. Each turn, a different player takes the banker position, which is why the game is called “railway”. This creates a more interesting and equal experience.

faq

How many decks is Chemin De Fer Baccarat played with?

The regular game of Baccarat is usually played with 8 decks, however, sometimes 6, 4 or even less decks are used. In Chemin De Fer Baccarat, the number of standard, 52-card decks used is 6.

faq

What is the optimal amount of players in Chemin De Fer Baccarat?

Usually, the amount of players in Chemin De Fer Baccarat is anywhere between 8 and 12. Any less, and the game is not as challenging, and any more and the game becomes unwieldy.

faq

How is the Banker chosen in Chemin De Fer Baccarat?

In most casinos, the player who is to the right of the croupier will be elected banker. From then, the banker position changes each round. Usually, the banker position changes counter-clockwise, meaning that the player to the right of the current banker is going to be the next banker.

faq

Can I play Chemin De Fer Baccarat for real money online?

French Baccarat, or Chemin de Fer is quite a popular variation on Baccarat. It is enjoyed in online casinos all over the internet, and so you should have no trouble at all finding a website that offers the game and lets you play it for real money.

faq

Can I play Chemin De Fer Baccarat for fun online?

Once again, the answer is yes. Many online casino websites actually feature a “free-to-play” option. When playing using this option, all the games are available, however, you don’t need to put down a deposit to play. This makes for great practice, as well as a splendid way to pass the time and just have some no-strings-attached fun.

faq

Is there skill involved in Chemin De Fer Baccarat?

Like all Baccarat variants, Chemin De Fer is a game based purely around luck. There is really no way to practice and get better at Baccarat. It all relies on the cards dealt to you. Ironically, it is this that makes it a very popular game. Luck is the great equalizer, and most people prefer to try their hand at games of chance, rather than games of skill.

faq

How long should I play Chemin De Fer Baccarat?

We recommend that you play short session. The reason for this is because the rule “the house always wins” is one to take to heart. The longer a session goes for, the more likely it is that the players will lose. So short sessions, in which you win some extra cash are your best bet. The best advice we can give here is to quit while you are ahead.

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