Baccarat is a card game that most people have heard of. Almost every online and land-based casino will offer baccarat in some form or another. The most popular version of the game found online and in most casinos is Punto Banco. In this version of the game, the casino banks the game at all times. This is in contrast to Chemin de fer where players take turns banking the game. For players just starting out, the easiest way to get started playing Punto banco is to play Midi and Mini Punto banco. These are essentially smaller versions of the game with lower limits and are played in a similar manner.
Smaller Tables with Lower Limits
With Midi and Mini Punto banco, the biggest difference is the size of the baccarat table and who deals the cards. The table size for Midi Punto is a little smaller than a standard baccarat table, with a maximum of 9 players. In the Mini version, the table is not much bigger than a blackjack table and only accommodates a handful of players. Besides the table size and who deals the card, all the standard rules of Punto Banco apply. The game begins with each player placing their bet on the table.
A Faster Game with less Players
As with standard Punto Banco baccarat, the betting in Midi and Mini Punto can be on the player, the dealer or on a tie. In a standard baccarat game, the players themselves deal the cards from the shoe. In the smaller versions of the game, the croupier will deal the cards, making the game a lot faster and a lot more player-friendly. The croupier will deal two cards to each player and two cards to the banker. In Midi Punto, the cards are faced down, in Mini Punto, the cards are faced up.
Calculating the Card Points
The aim of Midi and Mini Punto Banco is the same as standard https://gamblingonline.net.nz/games/baccarat/. Players must try get the highest number of points with the cards they have been dealt. The points are calculated by adding the two card numbers and dropping the first digit. All of the cards 2 through to 10 have their face value. The Jack, Queen and King are worth 10 points and the ace is worth a single point. If either of the players or the banker has a natural hand, the round ends. A natural hand is a two card hand that totals either 8 or 9.
Midi and Mini Punto Payouts
In Midi and Mini Punto Banco, if none of the players or the banker has a natural hand, the players can then request a third card. The standard baccarat third card rules apply to both the dealer and the players. Once the players have requested a third card, the banker also has the option of requesting a third card. At the end of the play, the banker and the player reveal their hand and the bets are paid out by the croupier. Playing Midi or Mini baccarat gives players a good introduction on how to go about playing full Punto Banco Baccarat.