Chemin de Fer is one of the variations of baccarat, a card game that’s brought hours of fun to players worldwide. However, a few key differences between the two casino games make Chemin de Fer an excellent choice for all table games fans.
If you haven’t had a chance to play Chemin de Fer or the name sounds strange to you, stick around to learn about this game and discover what makes it popular among casino players.
What Is Chemin de Fer?
Before playing the game, let's answer one basic question: what is Chemin de Fer? Experienced players know that Chemin de Fer is a card game that originated in France in the late 19th century. Since then, it has been played in various land-based and online casinos.
The game is considered to be a variation of baccarat. Speaking of which, the history of baccarat is entertaining, as the game spread from Italy to different countries worldwide, changing its shape and becoming more popular. What you may not know is that the Chemin de Fer meaning is literally ‘railway’, referencing the speed of the game.
If you’re a newer player unfamiliar with the game, you’ve likely seen it before without realising it. In the movie called Dr. No, James Bond, portrayed by Sean Connery, plays Chemin de Fer against Sylvia Trench in Le Cercle Casino.
Difference Between Chemin de Fer and Baccarat
The goals in Chemin de Fer and baccarat are the same. Players must have a hand closest to nine points. However, there are key differences that make Chemin de Fer more immersive for the players.
The biggest difference between the two card games is the Banker’s role. In Chemin de Fer, one of the players is always the Banker, responsible for making and collecting bets and paying out wins. As a player, your job is to beat the Banker’s hand. The banker role rotates among the players, and each participant gets their turn, which is not the case in baccarat, where the casino always acts as a banker.
Besides a more immersive banker role, players in Chemin de Fer can choose when to draw a third card, while this is predetermined in baccarat. This adds another level of strategy, allowing you to risk it and swing the odds in your favour.
Lastly, the number of decks used in Chemin de Fer is always six, while in baccarat, the number of decks can vary between one and eight.
How to Play Chemin de Fer
Now that you know a little bit about the history of the game and how it differs from baccarat, let’s see how to play Chemin de Fer.
Chemin de Fer rules are simple, and the game is great for beginners. The Banker deals two cards to players and himself, face down. The value of the cards in Chemin de Fer is as follows:
- Ace = 1 point
- Face cards = 0 points
- 10 = 0 points
- Cards 2-9 = their numerical number
After the cards are dealt, you can either stand or draw a third card, which is drawn face up but calculated with the two cards in your hand. Once every player makes a choice, everyone shows their hand, and the person closest to nine points wins.
Chemin de Fer Strategy
The most popular baccarat strategy is martingale - when you double your bet each time you lose a round. However, baccarat is more static compared to Chemin de Fer, where you have a say in drawing the third card.
That’s why most of the Chemin de Fer strategy relies on when to stand and draw. The general rule is when you have a total of five or lower, you should consider drawing a third card. However, if your total is six or seven, drawing an additional card would most likely put you over.
Punters (other players) can either bet on the player or a banker. What you should know in this position is that the Banker always has a slight edge.
Chemin de Fer Tips to Improve Your Game
If there’s one card game where you can quickly improve and reach the master level, it’s Chemin de Fer. The game combines strategy and luck; the rules are fairly simple to understand, and it’s important to follow the basic game principles to walk out profitable.
- Know the rules about when to stand and when to draw
- When in doubt, bet on the Banker
- Follow and remember the cards that have been played.
If you see a casino that offers online baccarat, you will likely find Chemin de Fer on the same list. Remember, the game isn’t as popular as it used to be, but due to its quick pace and straightforward rules, it continues to attract players worldwide.
