There are three types of baccarat games available today. These are Punto Banco, Chamin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque. Although all baccarat game types have basic things in common, each variation has its own set of rules.

Punto Blanco - North American Baccarat

Punto Blanco - also known as North American Baccarat - is arguably one of the most popular baccarat games played anywhere in the world. This game is the origin of the basic baccarat rules that players are familiar with. In this and other baccarat versions, the goal of the game is to score eight or nine points - or as close to this as possible. It is often said that the Punto Blanco baccarat games are all luck and require no skill, but there are several betting strategies that have been developed to help better the odds of adding to the player's bankroll.

Chamin de Fer - French Baccarat

As its name implies, Chamin de Fer is a baccarat version that is most commonly played in France. Although some North American casino offer Chamin de Fer as one of their free baccarat games, it is difficult to find them. Chamin de Fer baccarat games differ from the other variations because the 'banker' can be played by any player as long as he or she continues to win. Since the casino is not playing banker, the rules for a player taking a third card are often quite flexible.

Baccarat Banque - European Baccarat

Baccarat Banque is another version of baccarat games that is very rarely played in North American casinos. This game is very close in nature to Punto Blanco and Chamin de Fer with a few slight variations. These baccarat games are limited to three decks in the shoe, and the banker never rotates. Although some players say this rule makes following the baccarat games simpler, others state that the non-changing banker is an advantage to the house edge.

Baccarat games are familiar all over the world, and the version being played most often depends upon the region. Free baccarat games are available in all of these versions in online casinos around the world.