Baccarat in Las Vegas?

[Johnny L.A.]

I'm not really a gambler. When dad was alive and had his airplanes, we'd fly out to Vegas for a spot of lunch and some stick time. When I'd go to my friend's three-day birthday bashes (he and his wife lived in Las Vegas), I wouldn't gamble at all. If I was there for a convention, I'd while away a few hours at blackjack.

So maybe it's that I haven't sought them out, but I've never noticed any baccarat tables in Las Vegas.

As I understand the rules, the one closest to nine (the player or the dealer) wins the hand. You may draw one card, and tens and face cards count zero. Seems simple enough. And being a little bit of a James Bond fan, I'd like to try it for real (although I seem to lose a lot when I play it on the computer).

Are there baccarat tables in Las Vegas? Can an average joe play them, or do you have to be a "high-roller"? (Meaning, can you get in the game for $25? Or is the minimum entry more like a grand?) What about Laughlin? Reno?

[Neurotik]

There are baccarat tables in Vegas. And the average joe can play them, just not for very long. They tend to have high minimums and are usually reserved for the people willing to drop more.

[AmbushBug]

IIRC, Bond was playing Chemin-de-fer or "French Baccarat", not Baccarat as you'd find in Vegas.

Differences as noted on this page.

-AmbushBug

[Johnny L.A.]

I thought Chemin-de-fer was a brand of crotchless panties.





_{Sorry. I really, really, really couldn't resist.}

[Nametag]

If you do your gambling in Reno, you'll find that the smaller casinos have tables with very low stakes. They have baccarat tables there, but I don't play it, so I can't tell you the minimum, but I'se seen $2 craps and $3 blackjack there.

[Read_Neck]

Sam'sTown had two Baccarat tables last time I was there.

[Duke]

You can play baccarat, and mini-baccarat, at The Mirage. When I was feeling a bit wealthy (after I had hit a jackpot on 25-cent video poker) and was playing the $1 video poker, I used to sit opposite the baccarat tables.

To be fair, most of the "baccarat" played in Vegas is actually mini-baccarat. The difference in the games is that mini-baccarat is played with a permanent dealer (the house, of course). Baccarat itself, which is played with a floating dealer, who can be one of the players. Since the dealer has to be able to cover any and all possible bets, you've got to have a lot of cash to be able to play.

Most of the baccarat tables are hidden away in "high-roller" areas. But I know there's one in The Mirage, and probably one in The Bellagio as well.