Punto Banco
Punto Banco is the most common casino form of baccarat, in which the house always banks the game and all draws follow fixed rules — leaving players with no decisions beyond choosing Banker (Banco), Player (Punto) or Tie.
| Meaning | Punto = Player, Banco = Banker |
|---|---|
| Decisions | None — fixed drawing rules |
| Banker Edge | ~1.06% |
| Common In | UK, US, Australia, Macau |
The casino-banked version
Punto Banco is the version most players mean when they say ‘baccarat’. The casino always acts as banker and covers all bets, and the dealing follows a rigid set of drawing rules with no choices for anyone at the table. This contrasts with older European forms such as Chemin de Fer, where players take turns banking and may decide whether to draw.
Same maths, fixed play
Because every draw is dictated by the rules, Punto Banco’s odds are identical from round to round: roughly 1.06% on Banker (after commission), 1.24% on Player, and 14%+ on Tie. The simplicity is the appeal — it is among the lowest-edge, lowest-effort games in the casino, which is why high-limit rooms often centre on it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Punto Banco the same as baccarat?
It is the most common casino form of baccarat, fully banked by the house with fixed drawing rules and no player decisions.
How is it different from Chemin de Fer?
In Chemin de Fer players take turns being the banker and can choose whether to draw; in Punto Banco the casino banks and all draws are automatic.
Sources
- Published baccarat / Punto Banco rules
- Probability theory