Of Italian origin, Baccarat was once very popular among the European aristocracy. Banque à Deux Tableaux is a spin-off from this game which now appeals to experienced players and connoisseurs.
Minimum wager : 50 euros, though the table minimum can be decided by the inspector.
Number of players : from 6 to 16.
Aim of the game : playing against the banker, the two “tableaux” (tables of play), each represented by a player, must obtain a total closest to 9, with a maximum of three cards.
Two employees take their places around the gaming table. The croupier handles the wagers and has cards passed to players if they are seated too far from the banker. The banker deals the cards and plays against the other players. The table is split in two : the first tableau on one side, the second tableau on the other, each with eight places. The banker and the croupier, seated in the middle of the two tableaux, face each other.
Before the game can begin, the croupier shuffles six packs of 52 cards and has them cut by the banker or another player if the banker agrees.
When the croupier announces “Faites vos jeux” (“Place your bets”), you must place your bet outside the numbered area in front of you. You can also bet on the other tableau. Thus, if you are seated on the Tableau 1 side, you can also bet on Tableau 2. Split wagers are also possible : you then bet on the first and second tableau. Wagers are all paid at even money.
When “Rien ne va plus” is announced, no further betting is allowed and the banker begins to deal the cards.
For each tableau, a single player takes the hand, one after another, and keeps it for as long as it continues to win.
Before proceeding, you need to know the value of the cards, as follows (don’t be surprised : in Baccarat games, the cards do not have any numbers in the corners !) : the picture cards – also known as “bûches” – and the ten are worth 0, while all the other cards have their face value. To calculate your card total, you only take the final digit into account (eg. : 6 + 5 = 11, the total is therefore 1).
The banker first deals a card to the player representing the first tableau, then one to the player representing the second tableau, then one to himself. He deals a second card to all three players, then reveals his own two cards.
• If the player has a total from 0 to 4, he is obliged to request another card (by saying “carte”).
• If the player has a total of 5, he can either ask for another card (by saying “carte”) or stay with his hand (by saying “pas de carte” or “non”).
• If the player has a total of 6 or 7, he must stay with his hand (by saying “pas de carte” or “non”).
• If the player has a total of 8 or 9, he lays his cards on the table.
If the player requests another card, the banker deals it face up. Depending on its value, the banker decides whether to deal himself another card or not.
But if, with his first two cards, he has obtained a total of 8 or 9, he collects the cards immediately without dealing any additional cards to the players.
You win if the tableau you bet on obtains a total higher than that of the banker.
Where to play Banque à Deux Tableaux :
Casino de Monte-Carlo,
Summer Casino
