How to Play Midi and Mini Baccarat: The complete guide

Trust me when I tell you that baccarat is simple to play. But many casino fans, and maybe you’re one, are convinced it’s a game of mystery that is beyond their comprehension. Further, they believe it’s reserved for high rollers only – and again, this is not the case, at least not online at platforms like TwinSpires Casino.

It’s easy to see why some folks’ eyes glaze over at the thought of the game. If I say you might get to play "Big" baccarat, but most tables are "Mini" baccarat, oh, and you might come across "Midi" baccarat, you’re already likely to turn around and do something less taxing on the brain, like spin a slot machine.

Yet the differences between these forms of baccarat are so minor that you need not be put off. Before explaining how to play Mini baccarat or Midi baccarat, we need to run through the game’s basic premise, then everything else falls into place.

Baccarat Essentials to Get Started

It is the easiest of all casino table games. You, the player, need to make just one decision: whether to bet on (or back) the Player, the Banker, or the Tie. Player and Banker get two cards each, face-up, and the idea is to get the closest to a total of nine. 2s to 9s are face value, aces are worth one, and tens are zero.

If the total is 10 or over, you take ten away from the total. So, if the cards are 7-6, making 13, the total is 3.

Once the Player and Banker totals are determined, there then follows a set of rules about taking a third card or not. If the Player or Banker has 8 or 9, it is called a natural, and they win the hand. If the Player has 6 or 7, it stands. If it has 0-5, it takes a third card.

If the Player stood on 6-7, then the Banker then draws on 0 to 5 and stands on 6 or 7. If the Player took a third card, the Banker follows certain rules as to when it can take a third card. But although it sounds tricky, the dealer will do all this for you at the table.

All you must do is back Player, Banker, or Tie, watch the dealer sort things out, then see if you won. The payouts are thus:

• Player win: 1:1
• Banker win: 1:1
• Tie: 8:1

However, the casino takes a 5% commission on winning Banker bets since it’s more likely the Banker will win (this is based on those rather odd rules about when the Banker can take a third card). But despite the commission, you have a lower house edge on the Banker bet, at around 0.5%. Because of this, you should always back Banker, even though that might get a little tiresome.

What is Mini Baccarat?

How to play Mini baccarat is just as I have outlined above. The dealer deals the cards to Player and Banker, calls the action, and then draws any third card.

When you play in most live casinos today, Mini baccarat is the game, featuring maybe seven seats for people like you to sit down and play. It’s fun, you shouldn’t have wild swings, and you can chat away with the other players in relative harmony.

How to Play Midi Baccarat

Midi baccarat rules are identical to Mini baccarat but with one rather fun twist. Rather than the dealer dealing out the cards and turning them face up, they will deal the four cards face down, then push the Player cards to the player with the highest wager at the table and the Banker cards to the player with the highest Banker wager.

These two players then have the option of playing the hands out without showing them until the end in a classic showdown. Other players at the table will hope that the player representing their bet will win on their behalf.

It makes no difference in terms of rules in the game but just adds a fun element. However, one drawback is that this version of the game is a little slower because casino players do not handle cards or make announcements as fast as the dealer would in Mini baccarat.

And What About Big Baccarat?

Rarely seen these days, but Big baccarat is played out on a larger casino table seating up to 14 players. Just like Midi baccarat, the players with the highest wagers face off against each other, handling the cards on behalf of the others around the table.

In all cases, in just about every casino – live and online – eight decks of cards are used, once they are shuffled and placed in the shoe.

If you’re still reading this far, I assume you are following along quite happily, and believe my opening statement that baccarat is simple! Want to give it a go?

Play Mini Baccarat at TwinSpires Casino

You’ll find plenty of blackjack tables at TwinSpires Casino – all of the Mini baccarat variety. In other words, just place your bet and let the dealer do all the work. First sign up for your account, make a real money deposit, and claim your generous welcome bonus.

Next, head to the platform and explore all the table games and slots on offer. There’s something for everyone, but truly, you’re not a complete casino player until you get the mystique of baccarat out of your system. Try it; it won’t bite.