Like many other table games, baccarat has found its way to the virtual sphere with the advent of internet casinos, so there are many places offering online baccarat these days.
In this guide, we'll share our top tips on how to play a round of baccarat successfully, as well as let you know exactly where you can enjoy this classic game legally.
Arguably, baccarat is one of the simplest card games found at the casino as it involves no complex strategy and rules are very straightforward. There is very little player can do when playing baccarat casino game, apart from selecting what to bet on (from three available choices). Even still, it has been one of the favorite games of high rollers in land based and online casinos alike and it isn’t uncommon to see baccarat casino tables offer some insane stakes.
Baccarat is a table game played with cards that became popular in the 19th century
Players can bet on three outcomes: player, banker, or tie
Baccarat rules are very simple and easy to understand
The game is a favorite choice of many high-rollers
One of the lowest house edge percentages found in table games
Our favorite online casino site for baccarat
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How to Play Baccarat Casino Game
As mentioned in the introduction, baccarat is a very simple game with not too many rules players’ have to worry about. While there are certain rules that the dealer must follow over the course of every hand, players can play without knowing a single thing about baccarat casino rules and their winning chances won’t be influenced at all as the dealer is there to run the show.
Basic Baccarat Rules
At the start of every hand of baccarat, the player decides what they want to bet on from three available choices:
Banker
Player
Tie
Once they place the bet, cards will be dealt face up for both positions, i.e. the banker and the player and their values compared. The hand closest to the total of 9 (nine) wins. As for the value of the cards in an online baccarat game, all face cards and 10s have the value of zero (0) while all other cards have their face values. If the total of two cards is greater than nine, then only the second number in the total score counts. For example, in a hand containing a 9 and an 8, the total is 17, so the value of the hand would be 7 (seven).
It is possible for either the player or the banker to receive one (and one only) additional card after the initial deal. This happens only if:
The player’s total amounts to 5 or less
The player stands and the dealer’s total amounts to 5 or less
If either hand has a total of 8 or 9, then both hands will stand
This is all you need to know about how to play baccarat casino game. Even if you don’t memorize these rules, the dealer will always make sure they’re followed to the letter, so you can’t make any mistakes even if you tried.
Baccarat Payouts & House Edge
Payouts in the baccarat casino game depend on whether you bet on the player or the banker side. When betting on the player, you’ll win at 1 to 1, i.e. you’ll get one chip for every one chip wagered. When betting on the banker, payouts are slightly lower as your winnings will be 95 percent of the original bet. This is because the banker hand has a slight inherent edge in the game.
The third betting option in baccarat is the tie. This means betting that both hands will end up with the same total. The tie pays at 8 to 1 in most online baccarat variations, although there are some exceptions to this rule.
When compared to other casino games, baccarat casino odds are quite favorable. The game has a very low house edge of just 1.06 percent when betting on the banker and around 1.24 percent when betting on the player side. However, betting on the tie outcome is very disadvantageous as it results in house edge in excess of 14 percent.
Baccarat Glossary
Like every other casino game such as blackjack, baccarat also has a number of terms commonly used by the dealers and the players. These are some of the most common ones:
Betting on the player – wagering on the player’s hand to win
Betting on the banker – wagering on the banker’s hand to win
Chemin De Fer – this is one of the most popular baccarat variations
Punto Banco – another popular variation of the baccarat casino game
Natural – a two-card hand totaling eight or nine
Strategy, Tips & Tricks
Due to a very low level of player involvement when playing baccarat at casino, there isn’t much strategy involved. As a rule of the thumb, you should always bet on the banker as this gives you better chances of winning. Additionally, you could look for casinos that offer a chance to wager on the banker without the commission, i.e. paying at one to one. These aren’t very common but they do exist, especially during certain promotional periods.
Other than this, always steer clear of betting on the tie. While the odds may seem appealing at eight to one, this is by far the worst bet you can make in the baccarat casino game. As already explained, by doing so, you’ll be increasing the naturally low house edge to more than 14 percent.
Playing Baccarat Online for Free
Like many other table games, baccarat can be played for free at a number of online operators. Pretty much every online baccarat casino will let you try the game in the free play mode and get the feel for it. This is a great idea if you’re completely new to baccarat and just looking to learn the ropes. Playing for free, you can learn the rules and see what to expect with different bets so you can be completely ready for the real money play. To see what providers offer free online play, check out our latest reviews including our "Is Sugar House casino safe?", "Is PokerStars rigged?", and "Is Unibet safe?" guides.
Play Baccarat Live Online
Due to its popularity, baccarat is also featured on live dealer tables across various online casinos. If you want to play baccarat online live, you’ll find quite a few sites where you’ll be able to try your luck against flesh and blood dealers, offering an experience quite similar to the one you’d expect in a brick and mortar casino.
These tables also provide plenty of statistical and other information, which should help you figure out your next bet and decide what to do. While there isn’t a particular baccarat strategy that will show you how to win baccarat casino game every time, there are some tips and tricks to follow nonetheless.
Is Baccarat Legal in the US?
When it comes to casinos serving baccarat online US, the situation is quite similar to other casino games, i.e. there are several states where online gambling is regulated and in these states, baccarat is also perfectly legal and can be found in its RNG and live variations.
In general, baccarat isn’t as popular with the US players as some other games but it still found in land-based venues as well, especially in places such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. While some casinos may focus more on baccarat than the others, you’ll find at least a few basic variations spread at almost all venues as there are no legal obstacles pertaining to baccarat in particular. If you are interested in other casino games checkout our review for the 888 free spins code.
While baccarat may be a fairly popular game on a global scale, not every single casino spreads the game so if you’re looking for online baccarat casino USA options, we’re bringing you some suggestions to save you time and effort of having to look for them manually.
Also keep in mind that different casinos offer different types of services in other areas, such as promotions and customer support. While having a game you’re interested in is, of course, paramount, you should always look into these other important factors to make sure you’re getting most for your money.
Borgata online casino represents an excellent choice for online baccarat. They offer electronic and live dealer versions of the game and there is also a very nice welcome bonus package, consisting of free 20 USD as well as a 100 percent boost of up to 600 USD.
888 Casino also offers various baccarat options as well as excellent 888 casino promotions including 20 USD free to get you started and a 100% welcome bonus of up to 2,000 USD.
The current Betfair casino promotion code gives you a $10 no deposit bonus to enjoy on its many casino games, including baccarat.
Whether you’re completely new to baccarat or an experienced player, there are appealing options for everyone looking to play. With generous bonuses to get you started and a variety of tables and stakes to choose from, you can get the most out of your gaming experience with very little effort. So, why not jump straight into the action and try your luck playing the game of high-rollers? The big win could be just around the corner!
Want More? There Are More Popular Games!
Baccarat is an exciting gambling option but it may not be to everyone’s taste. So, if you’d rather play something else, there are many other casino games you can try. Perhaps you should test your luck with blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, casino card games, and craps.
Boost your next baccarat game with these awesome bonuses
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
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