The Definitive Guide to Online Baccarat 2023

If you have any questions about baccarat, you will find all the answers you need in our comprehensive guide. We take the time to explain the basic rules and give an in-depth explanation of the game overview, including the classics as well as the offshoots. You will learn how to play for real and why is it worth trying free baccarat and get useful suggestions about the best casinos ranked by our experts.

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Overview

The game of baccarat is one of the easiest to learn and also the best pain you can find at online casinos. When things sound too good to be true, they usually are, but luckily for those who have tried baccarat for real money, this is not the case. Simplicity is the name of the game and if you like blackjack, then you will absolutely love baccarat. That’s because you can’t go bust, so half of the challenge is dealt with right from the start and all it is left is to have fun.

The goal is similar to the other game of cards mentioned above, as you need to make a better hand than the dealer. The best-case scenario is to have a natural hand, which consists of a total of nine, but it is also a solid choice. Since you can’t go over the top, players are more inclined to take greater chances and draw more cards. The beauty of the game is that you can bet on the banker or the player, and a strict set of rules applies, so you don’t have to know the game inside out.

The online casinos that we recommend will be licensed and regulated by some of the most respectable regulatory bodies. Our experts have reviewed and rated these casinos, so you will have the chance to play your favorite game in a secure environment. Furthermore, the baccarat options come in different flavors, so you don’t have to stick to the classic and miss out on unique opportunities. It is always better to bet on the banker, but there is merit in going with the player, for the sake of camaraderie.

In any case, you should steer clear from tie bets because they are regarded as sucker bets, and for good reason. Keep reading to check all the important boxes a prospective baccarat player must clear.

Pros & Cons

Pros
Extremely high RTP
Easy to learn and master
Available at all online casinos
Cons
Basic gameplay with few options
A limited number of game versions

History

Baccarat has a long history, and its origins can be traced back to several different games from a number of European countries, notably Medieval Italy, and 15th Century France, while the game we know today was developed in the US by English colonists.

In the original Italian game, all tens, and face cards, like Jack, Queen and King were given a score of zero, and the old Italian word for zero is ‘baccarat’. Since then, the rules have changed somewhat, but the one that has stood throughout the game’s history is that any hand that totals ten is given the score of baccarat.

In France, the game of Chemin de Fer was played by the nobility and royals but the revolution brought this tradition to an end and it was Punto Banco, an English version that became established in the American colonies.

Punto Banco became popular in a number of American states, where gambling was legalised, such as Nevada and New Jersey, although in the early years it was still almost exclusively played by richer gamblers, just as it had been in France. But, as with so many casino games from Europe, it was this popularity in the United States that ensured the continued survival of Baccarat into the modern era.

Nowadays, particularly since the advent of online gambling, Baccarat is enjoyed by millions of players with budgets of all sizes, and it is no longer just a game for high rollers. Almost all internet casinos now feature a Baccarat game, often the faster Mini version, based on the American rules that have been used at land based casinos for many years.


Terminology

Much of the terminology used in Baccarat reflects its’ Italian and French origins, although some American words and phrases have also been adopted.

Baccarat:  This is the name given to a hand with a score of zero, and unsurprisingly, it is not a desirable result.

Banker:  A wager on the outcome of the bankers hand. This is one of only three moves that can be made in the standard version of the game, and pays out at 1:1, with the banker taking a small commission. This move is also referred to as banco.

Coup:  One baccarat round, comprised of the banker’s hand and the player’s hand.

Dealer:  The cards are drawn by the dealer who may also be referred to as a croupier.

Mini Baccarat:  This is a faster adaptation of the game where the dealer turns over all of the cards. Frequently offered with lower table limits, it has become the most widely played baccarat version at online casinos.

Natural:  This occurs when the first two cards received by the player have a total score of eight or nine.

Player:  Similar to the banker bet, this is a wager on the outcome of the player’s hand. This bet also pays out at 1:1, but with no commission taken, giving the house just a small edge of around 1%. This move is sometimes called punto.

Run: An additional bet on getting several consecutive winning hands, which can be banker, player or tied results.

Standoff:  A situation whereby the player and dealer both have hands of equal value, also known as a tie.

Tie:  A bet that the drawn cards will result in a standoff. The payout for a winning tie wager is 8:1, but as the house edge is close to 15% it is not a frequently chosen bet.


Rules

Baccarat games are played out using from one to eight decks of cards, and with anything up to 14 players around a single table. All cards between 2 and 9 are given their face values, with the ace being valued at one. The remaining cards, namely the ten, jack, queen and king, are valued at zero.

A round of play begins with each player making their bets on any of the three possible options, either the banker bet, player bet, or a tie. The dealer then draws two cards for each player, and two for the banker.  The score of each hand is determined by the right digit of each card, making the maximum score nine. If the cards total 10 or more, the first digit does not get counted, so although cards with a face value of 6 and 7 would total 13, here they would have a score of 3.

The cards are drawn from a dealer ‘shoe’ by each player in turn, in a similar way as they are drawn in Craps and Poker games. However, if the banker wins any coup, the shoe does not move for the next round.

The difference with a Mini Baccarat game is that the dealer turns all of the cards face up and only six decks of cards are normally in the shoe. This makes the game speedier, and changes the odds a little, but the rules and payouts remain the same.


Strategy

There are only two sensible bets to make in a Baccarat game, either the player’s hand or the banker’s hand, so there is little scope for developing a strategy. The crucial points to note are that both bets pay out at 1:1, but while the player’s hand pays out at exactly Evens, there is a 5% commission on the banker’s hand.

Bankroll management is key to the enjoyment of any casino game and all players should set themselves an affordable limit on what they spend at the tables. Due to its’ low house edge, Baccarat is a game where the odds of success are higher than most, but there is still a small advantage for the casino which cannot be overturned in the longer run, so determine your limit and stick to it.

A few casinos, both online and some European land-based ones, still feature Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque, which are games that give players more scope for using mathematical strategies and systems.

Tactics

  • Before committing real money to any game, practice first using the free-play versions that many online casinos now provide.
  • Avoid the Tie bet, with its’ substantial house edge. Although the 8:1 payout may seem tempting, a win is unlikely, so only take this bet if you can afford to lose it or like the risk,
  • The reason why Baccarat has become so popular is largely due to the fact that it is such a straightforward game. Most online casinos feature the Mini version which is both simple and quick, but anyone looking for a greater challenge may want to seek out a casino offering the Chemin de Fer game. There are, however, other games like Blackjack or Poker that can provide you with greater opportunities to use advanced betting strategies.
  • It can be worth looking for an online casino that has special offers for anyone playing Baccarat, which can optimise the value of a players cash deposits, even though the actual game will keep the same odds and house edge.
  • Bankroll management is vital and players must ensure that they stick to the limits that they have set for themselves. Baccarat is an easy game to play, with only two practical betting options to remember, and a low house edge which makes this an enjoyable game where you stand a reasonable chance of making a profit.

Tips

Get started with these simple to understand that highly effective online baccarat tips:

Getting Started

Online baccarat can be intimidating for prospective players but these five steps will help you overcome the anxiety and have a lot of fun at the tables.

1 Seek an online casino you can trust

Read the reviews and choose one of the casinos we recommend to play baccarat online securely.

2 Create an account

Free and real money games can only be played after you complete the registration process

3 Use a payment method

Credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrencies can be used to load your account.

4 Tinker with several games

There are many versions of baccarat and you should try several before settling for one version.

5 Play for free and real money

Start with demo baccarat games and claw your way to real money tables for full entertainment.

Glossary

You don’t need to have thousands of hours of gameplay to sound like a pro at baccarat tables. Just get familiar with the terms we have assembled for you and fellow baccarat players will think you are a seasoned punter when talking to you.

Baccarat Terminology

Baccarat Game Versions

Baccarat won the hearts and minds of players because of its classic gameplay, but there are other ways to enjoy the game. Don’t assume that there are just a handful of games because as you can see below, you can try several worthy alternatives:

Baccarat

Beginners can start with the classic casino game where players bet on the banker or player to have the best hand. A single deck of cards is used and you can’t go bust

Live Baccarat

The standard version of baccarat is enhanced by the presence of real dealers. You need to bet real money to enjoy the excitement of life at baccarat tables.

Dragon Tiger

A simplified version of baccarat where players bet on either the Dragon or Tiger to have the highest card. Bankers and players are called differently, but the game is just as fun.

Live Dragon Tiger

The live dealer version of Dragon Tiger is for players who want to circumvent the random number generator and enjoy the real thing with dealers.

Lightning Baccarat

The classic game on steroids is for punters who enjoy the thrills of extra payouts and multipliers. The user interface is also different for a more immersive experience.

Punto Banco

The most popular version of baccarat that you can find in North America. Today it has many fans worldwide and can be found at top online casinos.

Baccarat Banque

The European version of baccarat is for punters who prefer the original and where players take turns being the banker using three decks of cards.

Baccarat Squeeze

An exciting type of baccarat where the dealer slowly reveals the cards, for a thrilling experience. This is a fun game to play at top casinos with outstanding graphics.

Speed Baccarat

Players who don’t have the patience for slow games and try the excitement of lightning-fast baccarat rounds. You can play many games over a shorter period of time.

Mini Baccarat

A minimalistic version of baccarat that is played with a single deck of cards. Beginners have plenty of reasons to start their online casino experience with this game.

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FAQ

Baccarat is a game of cards where players bet on the player or the banker to make a better hand.

It all comes down to playing at a licensed casino regulated and supplied with games by top developers.

Classic baccarat, mini-baccarat, speed baccarat, and live dealer baccarat are some of the most popular.

We are advised to stick to the basics and always bet on the banker to cash in on the low house edge.

You will have no problem finding free baccarat games and all the prestigious online casinos.

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