The Comprehensive Guide to Online Baccarat 2023

Our Baccarat guide will unveil a comprehensive overview of the game, including basic rules, advanced strategies, and terminology. We provide tips, free baccarat games, and expert reviews of the best online casinos for real money baccarat.

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Overview

Baccarat is a popular casino card game that can be found on both land-based and online operators. It has been around for many years and it is here to stay, so it pays off to learn the rules and get familiar with the gameplay. The goal of the game is simple, and players try to predict which hand will have a total value closest to nine. This is the highest possible score in Baccarat and unlike blackjack, you can’t go bust, since the number is reset to the second digit if you crossed the threshold.

The baccarat game starts with two cards being dealt to the player and the banker. If either hand has a value of eight or nine, this is known as a natural, and the game is over. Assuming both players have the same hand value, the stakes are reimbursed, or, the player has the option to take a third card based on a specific set of rules if neither party has a natural.

In this game, cards have different point values, with face cards and tens being worth zero, while all other cards are worth their face value. Simplicity is the main quality of baccarat, as well as the low house edge, which means that players enjoy a high average return. Since the game comes in different flavors, it is essential to understand the rules and the betting options before starting to play.

Mini-Baccarat, Punto Banco Baccarat, and special versions of the games have emerged at online casinos that you can play them for free or real money. We advise players to start with the free games, as they can use the virtual currency provided by the casino instead of spending their own money. When you feel comfortable, you can switch to real money games and compete against live dealers.

Pros & Cons

Pros
Easy to learn
Incrediblly low house edge
Can be played live
Cons
Only two possible bets
Can get boring in time

History

Baccarat is a popular casino games with multi-national origins to rival the best of them: it was supposedly invented in Italy in the Middle Ages, developed in France around the 1400s, and was later brought to the United States by English colonists and eventually reshaped into the format we currently know.

The name “Baccarat’ is derived from an old Italian word for “zero,” as it originally referred to the fact that all tens, jacks, queens and kings are worth zero. Today, any hand that equals ten has a value of baccarat – this is the one rule that has remained the same since the game’s inception in Italy.

French royalty played the game of Chemin de Fer until they were deposed in the revolution, but it was actually the English adaptation of Punto Banco that was brought across the Atlantic to the New World.

Almost every European card or table game that has stood the test of time did so because it was popular in the United States in the 20th century. Punto Banco was very popular in Nevada and other American gambling centers, although it remained a game for big-spending American high-rollers in the same way as it was popular with French nobles.

Thanks to the introduction of Internet gambling, Baccarat is now a game that can be enjoyed by all – not just by those with a big bankroll! Today, online casinos offer at least the most basic version of Mini Baccarat, following the standard American rules used in Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos.


Popular Terms

Thanks to its origins, many of Baccarat’s unique terminology are actually derived from old French and Italian. Other words reflect the American influence on the game.

Baccarat: Literally, this means that the total value of a player’s hand is zero. As you would expect, this is not a good thing.

Banker: A bet on the banker’s/dealer’s hands, one of the three possible moves in a standard game. The payout odds are 1:1 minus banker’s commission.  Also known as banco.

Coup: A single round of baccarat, which consists of a player’s hand and a banker’s hand.

Dealer: The person who draws the cards. Also known as a croupier.

Mini Baccarat: Alternative version of baccarat in which the dealer draws all the cards. This version usually has lower limits, and for this reason is the most popular form of online baccarat.

Natural: A scenario in which the player’s first two cards total eight or nine.

Player: A bet on the player’s hand. Just like the banker’s hand, the payout odds are 1:1 with a House advantage of just over 1%. Also known as punto.

Run: Side bet which one may wager on successive winning hands (whether player hand, banker hand or tie hand).

Standoff: A scenario in which the player’s and dealer’s cards have the same value.

Tie: A bet on a standoff or tie between player and banker. Although this has large payout odds of 8:1, it is rarely used because of its House advantage of almost 15%.


Rules

Baccarat is played with up to eight decks at any time and up to 14 players at the one table. The numbered cards from 2-9 are taken at face value. The ten, jack, queen and king cards are all given a value of zero. An ace has a value of one.

Each “coup” begins with players placing their bets on who they think will receive the highest hand. They may wager on one of three options – banker, player or tie. Hands of two cards are then dealt to the player and to the banker. The highest possible hand is a nine. If a player receives cards worth eight or nine, no more cards are dealt. If the cards total more than 10, only the second digit is counted, so that the actual value never exceeds nine.

Although there is a banker, the dealer “shoe” rotates clockwise around the table just as in Poker and Craps. As opposed to those other games, the deal shoe does not move if the banker wins a hand.

Mini Baccarat uses the same rules and odds as regular Baccarat, but with alternative dealing methods which make the game quicker and alter the odds slightly. In Mini Baccarat, the dealer turns over all the cards and usually deals from a six-deck shoe.


Strategy

As Baccarat offers players only two realistic options (betting on player’s hand or betting on banker’s hand), there is not much to remember in way of strategy. The most important thing to know when starting out is that both the player’s hand and banker’s hand payout at odds of 1:1, but the banker’s hand deducts a 5% commission.

In addition to knowing what it is you’re doing, you should also know what you are spending. Make sure to set a maximum bankroll for yourself and take care not to exceed it. Baccarat gives you a good chance of winning and a slightly larger chance of losing (thanks to the House advantage), but all is fine if you know what you can afford to spend.

If you’re looking for a version of Baccarat that allows for more maths and advanced strategies, then it is worth checking out the older European versions of the game – Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque. This game can usually be found at land-based casinos in Europe, but is also available at a small number of online casinos.

Keep in mind:

  • As with any other card or table game, the best way to work on your game is to take advantage of the free-play versions hosted by online casinos.
  • Don’t bet on Tie, unless you enjoy taking big risks and have money to spend. This bet pays out much higher odds than the player or banker hands (8:1), but the chances are you won’t win.
  • Mini Baccarat is the most common form of baccarat offered by online casinos, but if you really enjoy the game then you might find some value in the French version of chemin de fer. Having said that, Baccarat became popular for its simplicity, so if you’re looking for advanced strategy you might just want to try another game like poker or blackjack.
  • Some online casinos offer better deals for baccarat players than others. House advantage will stay the same no matter what the operator, but if you find an online casino with specific baccarat promotions then at least you’ll be able to maximize your deposits.
  • Keep track of what you spend. There are really only two realistic options in a game of Baccarat, so as long as you recognize this fact you’re sure to have fun and possibly come away with some cash. The best way to ensure you succeed is to set your own spending limit and stick to it.

Tips

If you're new to online baccarat, check out our selection of easy-to-implement tips to help you get started and increase your chances of winning.

Getting Started

If you're new to online baccarat, check out our selection of easy-to-implement tips to help you get started and increase your chances of winning.

1 Understand the rules of baccarat

The rules are incredibly simple in baccarat, so it takes only a few minutes to master them.

2 Choose a licensed casino

If you play baccarat on real money you should do it at the casino that is licensed by regulators.

3 Place your bets

The first step is to place your bet on the banker or the player and hope for a natural.

4 Draw additional cards if necessary

You can improve the total by drawing additional cards if necessary.

5 Collect your winnings

If you made the correct bet before the game started, you will collect your winnings after the round.

Terminology

To become a skilled online baccarat player, it's important to understand the game's terminology. We've compiled a handy guide to all the jargon you'll need to know to play like a pro and understand the different hands and payouts.

Baccarat Glossary

Baccarat Game Versions

Although baccarat's gameplay is simple, several innovative game designers have created new variants that add something fresh to the online baccarat experience.

Baccarat

A classic version of the game with simple rules and fast gameplay. You can bet on the player or the banker and win if you get a hand close to nine.

Live Baccarat

A real-time version of Baccarat played online with a live dealer and chat functions. You can only play this version of the game on real money.

Dragon Tiger

A popular Asian variant with two cards dealt to each side, with the highest card winning. The game has gained a lot of traction in recent years and can be found in many casinos.

Live Dragon Tiger

A live version of Dragon Tiger, featuring a real-life dealer and immersive gameplay. You can only play this game on real money.

Lightning Baccarat

A variant of Baccarat with added multipliers and lightning rounds for increased excitement. This game is perfect for players who prefer a fast-paced version of baccarat.

Punto Banco

A version of Baccarat played primarily in the United States, with specific rules for drawing a third card. You can find this game variety at most online casinos.

Baccarat Banque

A popular European variant, with players taking turns as the banker. It is one of the easiest games to learn by beginners, so it is a good way to start.

Baccarat Squeeze

A version of Baccarat with slow reveals of the cards for added suspense. It is essentially a classic game of baccarat, but played at a slower pace.

Speed Baccarat

A fast-paced version of Baccarat with shortened betting periods and quick gameplay. The opposite of baccarat squeeze, it pushes the action into overdrive.

Mini Baccarat

A smaller version of Baccarat, often played on a smaller table with lower betting limits. It is a simple and fun way to learn the popular card game.

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FAQ

Baccarat is a card game that can be found at land-based and online casinos for real money or free.

The goal is to come as close as possible to nine and have a better hand than the dealer.

Baccarat is a card game that can be found at land-based and online casinos for real money or free.

What are the different types of bets in baccarat?

If you bet real currency at online casinos you can win real money with a little bit of luck.

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