What does it mean if someone calls out "Banco!" while gambling in Europe?

Question

I'm working on a production of "Candide," and in the Venice gambling scene one of the players calls out "Banco!" I have a hunch of what it might mean, but wanted to garner some other input. Thanks.

Answer 1

The 'banker' in the game has basically put up a set amount of money (the bank) they are willing to risk. The other players can each wager against some portion of this bank amount and each declares in turn. When someone declares 'banko', they are saying they are betting the remaining amount of the bank available (and thus any player who has not yet declared cannot bet against the bank that hand).  

Answer 2

You mean Baccarat Chemin de Fer

Six full packs of cards of the same pattern are used, shuffled together. The players seat themselves around the table. In the center is a basket for the reception of the used cards. If there is any question as to the relative positions of the players, it is decided by lot. The person who draws the first place seats himself next on the right hand of the croupier, and the rest follow in succession.

The croupier shuffles the cards, and then passes them on, each player having the right to shuffle in turn. When they have made the circuit of the table, the croupier again shuffles, and, having done so, offers the cards to the player on his left, who cuts. The croupier places the cards before him, and, taking a manageable quantity from the top, hands it to the player on his right, who for the time being is dealer, or "banker." The other players are punters.

The dealer places before him the amount he is disposed to risk, and the players "make their stakes." Any punter, beginning with the player on the immediate right of the dealer, is entitled to say "Banco", meaning to "go bank," to play against the whole of the banker's stake.

Answer 3

banco means bank in spanish, i dont know if that helps...

Answer 4

Baccarat is a card game that is dealt from a shoe that holds 6 or 8 decks of cards. Two hands are dealt by the house dealer, the "banker" hand and the "player" hand. Before the hands are dealt, bets may be placed on the banker hand, on the player hand, or on a tie.  If you bet on the banker hand, you call "Banco."  I think.  Just guessing, never played the game.  Too rich for me.

Answer 5

Tyler is absolutely correct and gets a thumbs up!

If you hear the word Banco, you are most likely near a Chemin de Fer Baccarat table. And someone wants to take on the table!

Good luck with your production. I hope you do better than the original Hellman/Bernstein version did, although some of the updated versions now are fairly well received.

Answer 6

I think it's what you say when you win. This is a kind of signal to stop the game.

Answer 7

It means Bank! Sounds like he won some $$.