Baccarat Variations Explained: EZ Baccarat, Super 6, Chemin de Fer, and More

The version of baccarat you'll find at most American and Asian casinos is Punto Banco — also known as North American Baccarat or simply "baccarat." It's the version where the dealer controls everything, the drawing rules are fixed, and your only decision is which bet to place. It's clean, fast, and carries a Banker house edge of 1.06%.

But Punto Banco isn't the only version of the game. Baccarat variations range from no-commission tweaks designed to speed up table operations to centuries-old European formats where players actually make strategic decisions about drawing cards. Understanding the differences — especially the house edge differences — matters, because not all baccarat tables charge the same price.

Punto Banco (Standard Baccarat)

This is the baseline — the version covered throughout this site and the version you'll encounter at the overwhelming majority of tables worldwide.

Key features:

• 6 or 8 decks, dealt from a shoe
• Fixed drawing rules (the tableau) — no player decisions
• Banker bet house edge: 1.06% (with 5% commission on wins)
• Player bet house edge: 1.24%
• Tie bet house edge: 14.36% (at 8-to-1 payout)
• Dealt by casino staff (mini baccarat) or by players under casino supervision (big table)

Everything you've read about baccarat odds, strategy, and bankroll management on this site applies to Punto Banco. It's the standard, and unless a table is specifically labeled as a variant, it's what you're playing.

For the complete rules, see How to Play Baccarat: The Complete Beginner's Guide.

EZ Baccarat

EZ Baccarat is the most common modern variant and has become the default at many casinos — particularly in markets that prioritize game speed.

The change: The 5% commission on winning Banker bets is eliminated. Instead, when the Banker wins with a three-card total of exactly 7, the Banker bet pushes — you get your money back but don't win anything.

Why it exists: Commission tracking slows the game. Dealers must calculate 5% of each winning Banker bet (often producing fractional amounts), track accumulated commissions per player in numbered boxes, and collect at shoe's end. EZ Baccarat eliminates all of that — the Banker bet either pays even money or pushes. The game runs faster, which benefits both the casino (more hands per hour) and the player (less downtime).

The math:

The EZ Baccarat Banker bet is actually slightly better for the player than standard baccarat — 1.02% versus 1.06%. The push on three-card Banker 7 costs the player less than the 5% flat commission. This makes EZ Baccarat the mathematically best mainstream version of the game.

Side bets unique to EZ Baccarat:

Dragon 7: A bet that the Banker wins with a three-card 7. Pays 40 to 1. House edge: 7.61%. The three-card Banker 7 occurs about twice per 8-deck shoe.

Panda 8: A bet that the Player wins with a three-card 8. Pays 25 to 1. House edge: 10.19%.

Both side bets carry edges far above the core Banker and Player wagers. They're entertainment bets, not strategic ones. For details, see Baccarat Side Bets Explained: Dragon 7, Panda 8, Pairs, and More.

Super 6 (Punto 2000)

Super 6 is another no-commission variant, but with a less player-friendly rule than EZ Baccarat.

The change: Banker wins pay even money — no commission — except when the Banker wins with a total of 6. In that case, the winning Banker bet pays only half (0.5 to 1). Bet $50 on Banker, Banker wins with 6, you receive $25.

The math:

The Super 6 Banker bet carries a house edge of 1.46% — significantly worse than both standard baccarat (1.06%) and EZ Baccarat (1.02%). The Banker winning with 6 occurs about 5 times per 8-deck shoe, and the half-payout on those hands costs the player more than the standard 5% commission would.

At a Super 6 table, the Player bet (1.24%) is actually a better wager than the Banker bet (1.46%). This is the only mainstream baccarat variant where that's true.

The takeaway: If you sit at a Super 6 table, switch to the Player bet. If you want to bet Banker, find a standard or EZ Baccarat table. The 0.40-percentage-point difference between Super 6 Banker and standard Banker adds up quickly over hundreds of hands.

Chemin de Fer

Chemin de Fer is the traditional European version of baccarat — the game depicted in classic James Bond films — and it differs from Punto Banco in a fundamental way: players make decisions.

Key differences from Punto Banco:

The role of Banker rotates among players. One player acts as the Banker, funding the bank with their own money. Other players bet against the Banker. The shoe passes to the next player when the Banker loses.

Drawing decisions are partially optional. The Player hand follows the standard draw-on-0-through-5 rule, but the Banker can choose whether to draw based on their own assessment of the situation — not a fixed tableau. This introduces a genuine element of skill (or at least decision-making) absent from Punto Banco.

Players bet against each other, not the house. The casino takes a commission (typically 5%) on each hand or on Banker wins, but the wagers are between players. One player can "go bank" — matching the entire bank's stake.

Ties are a push — no Tie bet exists in traditional Chemin de Fer.

The math: The base house edge is roughly comparable to Punto Banco — around 1% for optimal Banker play and slightly higher for Player play. The casino's revenue comes from the commission on the pot, not from a built-in edge on the bet itself.

Chemin de Fer is rare in American casinos but still played in European gaming rooms, particularly in France. If you encounter it, understand that the strategic decisions are modest — the optimal draw/stand choices closely mirror the Punto Banco tableau — but they do exist, making Chemin de Fer slightly more engaging for players who want agency.

Baccarat Banque

Baccarat Banque (also called à deux tableaux — "at two tables") is the least common variation and the one with the most player agency.

Key differences:

The Banker position is auctioned. The player willing to risk the most money takes the bank and holds it for the duration of the shoe (or until they choose to retire or run out of money).

Two Player hands are dealt instead of one. The table is divided into two sides, each representing a separate Player hand. The Banker plays against both simultaneously. Players on each side bet on their respective Player hand.

Drawing decisions are flexible for both the Banker and the Players, similar to Chemin de Fer.

The Banker's advantage is pronounced because they act last against two hands, with information from both Player draws available before deciding. A skilled Banker can make marginally better decisions than the fixed tableau allows.

Baccarat Banque is virtually absent from modern American casinos and increasingly rare in Europe. It's included here for completeness and historical context — if you encounter it, the core concepts of card values, hand scoring, and the goal of reaching 9 are identical.

Commission-Free vs. Standard: Which Is Better?

The answer depends on the specific variant.

EZ Baccarat is marginally better. Super 6 is notably worse. "No commission" sounds like a benefit, but the replacement rule determines whether the player actually gains or loses. Always check what the commission-free rule is before assuming it's an improvement.

If a table is labeled "no commission" and you're not sure which variant it is, ask the dealer: "What happens when the Banker wins with a three-card 7?" (EZ Baccarat — push, better for you) or "What happens when the Banker wins with 6?" (Super 6 — half pay, worse for you). The answer tells you everything.

A Brief History of Baccarat's Variations

Baccarat traces its origins to 15th-century Italy, where it was played among the aristocracy. The game migrated to France, where Chemin de Fer became the version of choice among nobles during the reign of King Charles VIII. For centuries, baccarat was a game of the elite — played in private salons, funded by personal wealth, and governed by flexible rules that allowed genuine strategic decisions.

Baccarat Banque emerged as a variation that fixed the Banker position for the duration of a shoe, adding a financial dimension: the Banker was the player willing to stake the most money. The three-player-hand structure (Banker vs. two Player hands) created a more complex strategic landscape.

When baccarat crossed the Atlantic in the mid-20th century, American casinos simplified it into Punto Banco — eliminating player decisions entirely, fixing the drawing rules into the tableau, and having the house bank every game. This streamlined version made baccarat accessible to any player, regardless of skill level, and became the dominant format worldwide.

EZ Baccarat and Super 6 are the most recent evolutionary steps — designed not for players, but for casino operations. Eliminating commission tracking speeds up the game, allowing more hands per hour and more revenue per table. The player impact is secondary to the operational efficiency these variants provide.

How to Choose the Right Table

If EZ Baccarat is available: Play there. The 1.02% Banker edge is the lowest of any standard variant, and the commission-free payout simplifies the experience.

If only standard baccarat is available: Bet Banker at 1.06%. This is the classic game and there's nothing wrong with it.

If only Super 6 is available: Switch to the Player bet (1.24%), which carries a lower house edge than the Super 6 Banker bet (1.46%).

If Chemin de Fer is available: Play it for the experience. The drawing decisions are modest but add engagement. Follow the standard strategy: draw on 0–4, stand on 6–7, and use judgment on 5 (draw if the Player's third card suggests they improved).

For a comparison of table formats rather than rule variants, see Mini Baccarat vs. Big Table Baccarat: What's the Difference?.

Try It Yourself

Our free simulator includes standard Punto Banco dealing rules — the foundation that all variations build on. Practice the core game here until the mechanics are second nature, and you'll be able to adapt instantly to any variant you encounter. The differences between EZ Baccarat and standard baccarat, for example, affect only the payout structure — the dealing sequence, scorecard display, and bankroll management principles are identical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common baccarat variation? Punto Banco (standard baccarat), played with fixed drawing rules and a 5% commission on Banker wins. EZ Baccarat is increasingly common as a no-commission alternative.

Is EZ Baccarat better than standard baccarat? Slightly — the Banker house edge is 1.02% versus 1.06%. The difference is marginal but real.

Is Super 6 a good game for the player? The Banker bet under Super 6 rules carries a 1.46% house edge — worse than both standard baccarat and EZ Baccarat. At a Super 6 table, the Player bet (1.24%) is actually the better option.

What is Chemin de Fer? The traditional European version of baccarat where players make drawing decisions and the Banker role rotates among players. Rare in American casinos but still found in Europe.

Does "no commission" always mean better odds? No. It depends on the replacement rule. EZ Baccarat's push on three-card Banker 7 is slightly better than the standard 5% commission. Super 6's half-pay on Banker 6 is significantly worse.

Can I use the same strategy for all baccarat variations? For Punto Banco, EZ Baccarat, and Super 6: yes, with one adjustment — at Super 6 tables, bet Player instead of Banker. For Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque, modest drawing decisions are available, but the optimal choices closely mirror the fixed tableau.

Final Thoughts

Most baccarat players will spend their entire career at Punto Banco tables, and that's perfectly fine — it's a great game with a fair house edge. But knowing the variations matters for one practical reason: not all "baccarat" tables charge the same price. An EZ Baccarat table saves you 0.04% per hand compared to standard. A Super 6 table costs you an extra 0.40% — nearly half a percentage point. Over hundreds of hands, those differences compound into real money.

Check the table's rules before you sit down. Ask the dealer if you're unsure. The five seconds of research can save you hours of excess cost.

Related articles:

• Baccarat Odds and House Edge Explained: The Math Behind Every Bet
• How to Play Baccarat: The Complete Beginner's Guide
• Mini Baccarat vs. Big Table Baccarat: What's the Difference?

Responsible Gambling Disclaimer: The house maintains a mathematical edge in all casino games. No betting system guarantees wins. Play responsibly and never wager more than you can afford to lose.