Banker in the context of casino table games, typically refers to the dealer or the house, which is the entity against which players are competing. The term is most commonly used in card games like Baccarat and Pai Gow. In these games, the Banker’s role is to distribute cards and manage the game’s proceedings according to the rules.
In Baccarat, the Banker hand is one of the two main bets players can wager on, the other being the Player hand. It’s important to note that betting on the Banker does not mean betting on the house or the casino; it’s simply a term for one of the hands dealt in the game. The Banker hand is often considered to have a slightly better chance of winning than the Player hand, due to the rules governing the drawing of additional cards.
In other games, like Pai Gow Poker, the term Banker can sometimes refer to a player who opts to take on the role of distributing the cards and covering bets against other players at the table, in rotation. This player-as-banker option adds an interesting strategic element to the game.
Overall, the Banker is a central figure in many table games, facilitating the gameplay and representing the interests of the casino, ensuring that the rules are followed and that the game runs smoothly and fairly.
