Banco [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

In Baccarat, the Banco represents the house or the side that players can bet against. The Banco deals cards and is typically the side that holds the higher stake in the game. Players can choose to bet on the Banco, the Player, or a Tie. When betting on the Banco, players aim to predict whether the Banco’s hand will win against the Player’s hand, with the outcome based on the total value of the cards dealt.

Banco Example

For example, if a player bets on the Banco and the Banco’s hand totals 8 while the Player’s hand totals 5, the player wins the bet placed on Banco.

Glossary: Punto
Punto refers to the player in the game of Baccarat.
Glossary: Punto Banco
Punto Banco is the most common version of Baccarat played in casinos worldwide.

Alternative Meanings:

Banco
In Baccarat, the term Banco is used to describe the position or role of the banker, who plays against the players (often referred to as "punto"). The banker has the option to draw additional cards based on the total points of their hand, following specific rules that govern the game. Players can place bets on either the banker, the player, or a tie, but when betting on Banco, they are wagering against the dealer's hand. The banker typically has a slight advantage due to the rules of drawing cards, which can influence the outcome of the game.
Banco Example
Example: In a game of Baccarat, if a player bets on the Banco and the dealer has a total of 7 points after drawing cards, while the player has a total of 5 points, the Banco wins, and the player loses their bet.
Banco
In practice, the Banco bet is often seen in European roulette, where players can choose to either bet on a specific number or group of numbers while the dealer spins the wheel. When players make a Banco bet, they are essentially saying they believe their selected outcome will happen, and if it does, they win based on the odds provided for that specific bet. The concept emphasizes a competitive aspect against the house, contrasting with traditional bets where players wager directly on the wheel outcomes.
Banco Example
For example, if a player places a Banco bet on the number 7, they would win if the ball lands on 7, receiving a payout based on the roulette odds, typically 35 to 1, meaning for every chip they wager, they would receive 35 chips in return plus their original stake if successful.