Chemin de fer

Chemin de fer - Black Jack, popular in the USA is known under the name of "baccarat" in Europe. It`s simplified type was spread under the name of Chemin de fer or "chemmie".

The number of players is unlimited. Usually there are 10 players; one of them becomes a croupier.

There are three full packs of cards in the game. Players shuffle packs and then put it in a special box which allows taking cards one at a time.

The croupier is determined with the help of the auction: players call the sum of their bank. The winner must have the biggest bank. He deals from 3 to 4 cards from the box, declares them and sloughs.

Players may bet any sum of the bank against the croupier`s winning. The player to the croupier`s right stakes first. The player to the left may stake any sum within the bank after him. This rule is followed till the whole bank is at stake. The game is played counter-clockwise. Any player may stake any sum of the bank, saying "Banko". The player to the croupier`s right has the priority in simultaneous stakes.

If the sum of stakes exceeds the bank, the croupier must not pay in case of loss.

Objective: To get 2 or 3 cards, constituting 9 scores ( or the number close to 9). Ace is equal to 1 score, picture-cards and ten don`t cost anything; other cards are valued according to their dignity. Tens are deducted when making addition: 8+6 are equal to 4.

Play: Croupier deals out 2 series of 2 cards. The first series (hand) belongs to the players who made stakes. The second one belongs to the croupier. The player who made the biggest stake wins the series against the croupier. The player to the croupier`s right has the priority.

The player with cards of 8 or9 scores declares them at once. Such combination is called "natural score" and wins. It should be noted that "natural 9" beat "natural 8". The equal number of scores in two series is a draw.

The player can ask the croupier to give him a card or he may remain with his cards. He is obliged to remain with cards if he has 7 or 6. He also is obliged to buy in to 4,3,2,1 or zero. He has a choice with 5 scores. The additional card is given face down.

After the opponent`s choice, the croupier can decide whether to buy in or to remain with his own cards.

Player`s can buy in only one card. Thus, they have 3 cards in hand. Then everybody should expose cards If the scores are equal, a draw is declared and stakes are canceled. Stakes for the next dealing are welcomed.

Croupier with more scores than his opponent takes the stakes. He will be a croupier in the next game. The bank of the next game is based on the initial bank.

If the opponent wins, each player takes winning from the bank. New croupier is nominated (player to the croupier`s right). He calls any sum of the new bank. There is no auction in this case.

Croupier may refuse his obligations.