How to Play Chemin De Fer

Chemin de Fer is an established table game variant in France and many other European casinos. It gained attention in the 19th century and became popular for being James Bond's favorite baccarat game. Its social gameplay structure and rules have kept it relevant in modern casinos.

In this article, we will discuss how to play Chemin de Fer, highlighting its unique rules, payouts, and winning strategy.

What is Chemin de Fer?

Chemin de Fer is a notable baccarat variant of French origin played using six standard 52-card decks. The term "Chemin de Fer" means "railway" in French. It refers to the movement of the "shoe" (the card holder) around the table from player to player, much like a train along a track.

The Chemin de Fer gameplay objective is to have a hand total of 9 points, or as close as possible. However, unlike traditional baccarat, the aim is not to beat the house's banker. Instead, it is to have a higher hand total than the other players. Therefore, a small amount of skill is needed during gameplay.

Gameplay Setup and Rules

Chemin de Fer is a player-centered game. Casinos only assign a croupier to conduct the gaming sessions and ensure players adhere to the rules. The players sit at the game's kidney-shaped table and compete against one another, with one player serving as the Banker. Like the standard baccarat, players will either wager on the banker's hand or the player's hand.

However, while all players place bets against the banker, only one of them fronts the game, designated as the Punter. The player who places the largest bet is the punter, and the one who takes the shoe as it is passed clockwise, starting from the player on the croupier's right, becomes the banker. The banker funds the "bank" from which all winning bets will be paid if the punter wins. And if the banker wins, the players lose all their wagers.

The banker retains the position if the player loses. Otherwise, the role of the banker passes to the player closest to the previous banker, or to the one willing to bet higher, or match the previous banker's bet.

After all wagers have been completed, the punter and the banker receive two cards each, dealt face down. The gameplay proceeds according to the following rules:

Punter's Rules

• The punter must reveal the given face-down cards if the two cards are worth eight or nine points (natural).
• The punter is allowed to take a third card if the first two cards do not form a natural hand and the total is less than five. If the hand total is five, this is where skill comes into play. The player can draw (ask the banker for a third card) or stand (stick with the current cards). If the hand total is 6 or 7, the punter must stand.

Banker's Rules

• A banker must reveal the given face-down cards if the punter's two cards form a natural hand.
• The punter's decision to stand or draw affects the banker. If the punters stand, the banker can either draw on a hand total under 5 or stand on 6 or 7.
• If the punter draws a card, which will be dealt face up, the banker makes a decision taking into consideration the initial hand total and the third card dealt to the punter.

Banker's Total	Banker Draws if Punter's 3rd card is:	Banker Stands if Punter's 3rd card is:
3	Any card (except 8)	8
4	2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7	0, 1, 8, 9
5	4, 5, 6, 7	0, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9
6	6, 7	0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9
7	-	Always Stand

Chemin de Fer: How to Play James Bond's Favorite Baccarat Game

Here is a quick guide on how to play Chemin de Fer:

Bets Placement

You have a choice to be either the banker, the punter, or one of the non-leading bettors. The banker receives the shoe and funds the bank. Other players place bets against the banker, with the highest bettor becoming the lead player (punter).

Card Dealing

The banker and the punter each receive two cards, which are dealt face down.

Card Reveal

If the punter or banker has a natural hand (8 or 9), the cards must be turned face up. The player with the highest point total wins. If there is a tie, the wagers stay fixed for the next gaming round.

• 2 to 9 are worth their face value
• All ten cards, including Queen, Jack, or King, are worth zero points
• An ace card is valued as one point

Taking Action

If the initial cards aren't naturals, the punter can draw a third card by saying "Card" or stand by saying "Stay." The banker can also draw a third card or stand if the player draws.

Hand Comparison

The house's croupier compares the banker's and punter's final hand total to determine the winner.

• The banker's hand wins if the point total is higher (not more than 9) than the punter's.
• The punter's hand wins if the point total is higher (not more than 9) than the banker's.

Chemin de Fer Payouts and House Edge

Chemin de Fer offers even money payouts (1:1). When the punter loses, all the participating players lose their wagers. But if the punter wins, each will receive an even-money payout, deducted from the banker's wager.

For example, the banker funds the "bank" with $500, and the other players bet $50 each, with the punter wagering $100. If the banker wins, the punter's $100 bet and the other players' $50 bets are lost. The house takes 5% Commission on Banker wins.

However, if the punter wins, each player will receive even money ($50), and the punter gets $100. The house takes no commission if the punter wins.

Chemin de Fer house edge is 0%. The house makes its money through the banker's commission.

Chemin de Fer Winning Strategy

The card game strategy for winning Chemin de Fer depends on your role in a gaming session. If you are the banker, follow the Chemin de Fer banker strategy tableau under the rules subheading.

If you are the punter:

• Draw if your hand total is 5. However, you can bluff at times by standing to trick the banker.
• Stand if your hand total is 6 or 7. The banker will likely do the same or draw a card, risking busting.

However, whether you are the banker or the punter, manage your bankroll. If you, as the banker, have won up to three times, it's best to pass the role to the next player.

Conclusion

How to play Chemin de Fer isn't complex, but its rules must be mastered and followed. You can play as a banker, a punter, or a participating player. The French baccarat variant has no built-in house advantage, allowing players to compete more freely.

FAQs

What is the house edge in Chemin de Fer?

Chemin de Fer has no built-in house edge. Only a 5% commission is charged on bankers' wins.

Is Chemin de Fer better than baccarat?

It depends on your preferred gameplay. If you want to play against the house, baccarat is the better choice. Against other players, you can play Chemin de Fer.

Is Chemin de Fer a skill or a luck game?

Chemin de Fer is both a luck and skill table game. You need luck with your first two cards, but your next steps demand a strategy.

What does Chemin de Fer mean?

Chemin de Fer is a French-originated baccarat variant played using six standard 52-card decks.

Its name means "railway" in French.

Can you bet on the banker's hand in Chemin de Fer?

No, you can only bet against the banker.