The Ultimate Guide to Online Baccarat in 2023

Experience one of online gaming's most amazing games with the help of this comprehensive guide. Explore all aspects of baccarat, including a general overview, a look at variants, tips, free baccarat games, its pros and cons. Finish your journey off with a look at the best online real-money baccarat casinos based on the rankings and reviews of our industry experts.

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Overview

Baccarat has been dazzling punters for centuries. It is among the oldest casino card games that are currently dominating the online gaming market, with gameplay so packed with fun that you forget that betting options are limited to just three. It is a game that you can learn to play without any prior casino gambling experience, especially if you are familiar with the concept of the infamous blackjack.

Online baccarat is based on virtual decks of cards whose elements are chosen based on a random number generator that ensures fairness. The game is accessible to punters from all walks of life thanks to its flexible betting sizes and countless variants. The latter cover every imaginable theme and genre, with some adding additional competitive thrills to an already dazzling casino game installment.

However, the fun does not end there. The future of online baccarat is incredibly promising, with the immersion of live gaming being replaced by the unmatched fun of VR and AR gaming. Baccarat is on the verge of a brand-new chapter in its history, and you should learn how to become a part of it. Join us on this comprehensive guide and learn all the things that you never knew you needed to know about online baccarat.

Pros & Cons

Pros
The betting options are straightforward
There are plenty of exciting variants
There are plenty of betting strategies
Cons
The banker bet has a commission
Tie bets have a huge house edge

History

The story of baccarat began, as many great things do, in Italy. The Italian gaming scene of the 14th century gave birth to a game that had no name. Punters had to come up with a title for this new gaming sensation, and their thoughts immediately went to the word "baccara", which means zero. This was in reference to the face value of tens and face cards, which are worth zero in baccarat.

Italy could not contain baccarat for long, as it crossed the border and appeared in France in the 15th century. There, it became insanely popular among French nobility, especially King Charles VIII and King Louis XIV.

France gave baccarat some of the zest that we are now used to, namely the variants Chemin de Fer and Baccarat en Banque. These variants involve slight rule and card dealing deviations, which became an instant hit with punters.

Baccarat eventually overstayed its welcome in France, and it had to seek new accommodation in England and the United States. It appeared on British and American shores in the 19th century, with American casinos running a simplified version called Punto Banco.

As online casinos entered the world stage, baccarat became one of the most popular casino games around. It is played by countless punters from all over the world on a daily basis, with the most popular variants including Punto Banco, Mini-Baccarat, and Chemin de Fer. It has also obtained an enviable reputation among high rollers and elite punters, such as James Bond. The latter's affiliation comes courtesy of the film "Casino Royale".

However, the story of baccarat does not end there. After its resounding success on mobile platforms, it now seeks to conquer the VR and AR worlds. The future of baccarat is incredibly bright and we believe that you ought to partake in it.


Popular Terms

Baccarat is an amazing mix of Romanesque and Anglo-Saxon culture, with each stage of its history leaving permanent marks on the gameplay and terminology. A crucial aspect of having the best possible baccarat gaming experience is knowing the most popular terms, which include:

  • Baccarat - The name of the game is, oddly enough, also the name of the worst possible hand. It is valued at zero points, and it also refers to the value of face or ten-value cards.
  • Mini Baccarat - This is a simplified and fast-paced version of conventional baccarat. It typically uses a smaller table than traditional baccarat.
  • Banker - One of the two leading betting options in baccarat and the person whose hand players need to beat. The banker is not necessarily a representation of the house, as punters can beat on him. Note that payouts of 1:1 also come with a commission.
  • Player - The other main betting option in baccarat, whose success depends on how his cards fair against the banker's hand. The payout has a cool 1:1 ratio.
  • Coup - A single round or hand of baccarat that is comprised of dealing cards, determining a winner, and paying out winnings.
  • Dealer - The dealer is the person responsible for dealing cards to the player and banker. Dealers have to follow specific rules, with these being predetermined.
  • Natural - A two-card hand that amounts to 8 or 9 points. Naturals tend to automatically win, which means that no additional cards have to be drawn.
  • Run - A series of consecutive wins by either the player or the banker. Some strategies are based on runs, particularly the idea that winning streaks will continue.
  • Standoff - Sometimes referred to as a tie or a push, it is a situation in which both the player and banker's hands have the same total points at the end of a coup. Neither side wins, and bets are returned to participants.
  • Tie - This can be a wager that puts its money on a standoff between the Banker and the Player. The house edge is huge, at 15%, but the payout of 8:1 matches it nicely.

Rules

The overall objective in a game of baccarat is simple. The banker and the player want to get as close to 9 points as possible. While the gameplay is very similar to blackjack, there are some rules and mechanics that need to be analyzed separately. Check out the following breakdown of baccarat rules and gameplay to learn more:

  • Card Values - Baccarat has exciting card values, with Aces being worth 1 point, numbered cards from 2 to 9 being worth their face value, and face cards, so 10s, Jacks, Queens, and Kings, being worth 0 points.
  • Dealing - Your normal game of baccarat consists of multiple decks. The hands that the player and the banker receive are drawn from said decks.
  • Initial Dealing - The player and the banker are given two cards each at the start. If either one has 8 or 9 points, their hand is considered a “natural” and the round is over.
  • Drawing Additional Cards - If a "natural" does not appear, additional cards are drawn. These follow very specific rules, which go as follows. If the player's total is between 0 and 5 points, a third card is drawn. If the player's total is 6 or 7 points, they stand, which means that a third card is not drawn. If the player stands, the banker follows certain rules that determine whether he draws a third card. Note that the exact rules depend on the baccarat variant at hand.
  • Winning - The winner is determined based on their proximity to 9 points.
  • Betting - Betting on the player gives you a payout of 1:1, betting on the banker amounts to 1:1 with a typical 5% commission, and betting on a tie can result in 8:1 or 9:1 odds. You might also encounter side bets, which have to be evaluated on a game-to-game basis.
  • Card Counting - You will be surprised to learn that card counting is completely legal and not penalized at all. However, the addition of multiple decks and electronic shuffling makes card counting practically impossible.

Strategy

Punters always want to break a casino game with the use of a clever strategy or system. Your typical go-to is infamous card counting, which is actually not illegal. However, there are other online baccarat strategies that you should know about. The latter include:

  • Martingale System - This infamous betting strategy involves starting with a small bet and doubling it after each loss. The idea is that you eventually recover previous losses with a solid win. Note that a long losing streak can destroy your bankroll.
  • Paroli System - Occasionally referred to as the "Anti-Martingale" system, it involves doubling your bet after each win. It aims to maximize winning streaks, which can end horribly as waves of good luck rarely last long.
  • Fibonacci Betting System - This system uses the Fibonacci sequence to determine bet sizes. Each win has you move two steps back in the sequence and each loss has you move one step forward. The idea is that you recoup losses gradually and make a small profit along the way.
  • Flat Betting - This is the most straightforward betting system, as all it requires is that you place the same bet regardless of previous outcomes. There is no aggression involved, and it may help you control losses.

Tips

Playing online baccarat is excellent, but it can be even better if you have some handy professional tips in your pocket, such as the following:

Kicking Things Off

Starting a session in a new casino game, such as baccarat, can be a bit anxiety-inducing, especially if you are a beginner. We recommend that you take stock of the following steps and ensure an optimal baccarat gaming experience.

1 Pick a Reputable Online Casino

Online casinos that have a long history of satisfying expectations and meeting regulatory and licensing regulations are what you should be targeting. They help guarantee your payouts and provide you with the ultimate gaming experience.

2 Practice for Free

Understanding game rules is one thing, but seeing them in action is something completely different. Use free and demo versions of baccarat to practice for free and prepare the stage for future real-money plays.

3 Start with Small Bets

While it is exciting to hit the ground running and place enormous wagers that impress your peers, it is also the perfect way to lose an entire deposit in minutes. We recommend that you start small, see how your chosen baccarat title reacts, and go from there.

4 Evaluate Game Options

You will stumble upon dozens of incredible baccarat games when you open the average casino game library. We recommend that you evaluate each installment by looking at the paytables, RTP, associated game developer, mobile availability, and theme.

5 Control Your Emotions

The worst thing that you can do is let greed or sorrow take you over. Make sure to stay on top of your emotions and seek help if they get loose. You can contact your casino's customer support for various self-exclusion and self-limitation tools.

Terminology

Knowledge is power, which is why you have to keep up to date regarding the latest slang appearing alongside baccarat. This slang occasionally makes the jump to jargon and becomes permanently entrenched. Check out the following baccarat glossary and ensure that you are always up to date with the latest lingo.

Baccarat Glossary

Baccarat Game Variants

Baccarat is a relatively straightforward game, which is why its incredibly rich and vibrant selection of game variants might surprise you. Check out the following breakdown of the most popular online baccarat games and see which one is perfect for you.

Baccarat

This is the basic version of baccarat that you will find in practically every online casino. You can bet on the Banker, Player, or a Tie, with the tie being the worst in terms of the house edge but the best in terms of payouts.

Live Baccarat

This is essentially your typical brick-and-mortar casino experience from the comfort of your home. A live dealer deals real cards, with all his actions being streamed in real time. You can interact with the dealer and other players via a handy chat feature.

Dragon Tiger

A simplified version of baccarat that is sometimes called “two-card” baccarat. You bet on whether the Dragon or Tiger hand will have a higher value. It is renowned for its speed and simplicity.

Live Dragon Tiger

Live Dragon Tiger combines the elements of Dragon Tiger with the immersion of live casino gaming. You can enjoy this incredible variant with the convenience of a live dealer present.

Lightning Baccarat

This high-octane version of baccarat includes random multiplier cards that can boost the payouts of winning bets, which adds another layer of excitement. The multipliers can, if the right cards are drawn, land you a win that amounts to 262,144 times your wager.

Punto Banco

This is the most popular baccarat variant in North America and the UK. There are two main betting boxes, Punto and Banco. Punto draws based on its hand, while Banco focuses on the value of Punto’s hand.

Baccarat Banque

A more complex version of baccarat that is the staple of European casinos. The Banker’s position is actioned off and taken up by a player, which adds another layer of strategy to the game. There can also be multiple players whose hands are compared against the dealer's hand.

Baccarat Squeeze

The main appeal of Baccarat Squeeze lies in its exciting revealing of cards. The dealer slowly reveals each card and thus builds anticipation. It is best experienced in a live casino setting.

Speed Baccarat

Another fast-paced version of baccarat that has shorter rounds with minimal waiting times between bets and card dealing. Those who like fast casino action will love Speed Baccarat.

Mini Baccarat

A scaled-down version of standard baccarat with lower betting limits and a simplified table layout. It is the perfect choice for beginners and punters looking for a casual gaming experience.

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FAQ

While counting cards is not illegal or penalized, it is practically impossible. Online decks are shuffled automatically, with multiple decks per game. These two factors make counting cards a Sisyphean undertaking.

Yes, you can play online baccarat on your phone. Most casinos have either mobile-optimized websites or dedicated mobile applications that can be used from your favorite iOS and Android devices.

Yes, you definitely can! There are plenty of online casinos that accept cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. These venues often also host cryptocurrency-based baccarat games that feature cryptocurrency wins.

If you are a beginner, then you definitely should not play high-limit online baccarat. However, if you are somebody who is experienced in baccarat and have substantially deep pockets, go for it. Check out our list of recommended high-limit baccarat games to claim an amazing bonus while doing so.

You will have a hard time finding a jackpot such as those of online slots. However, there are baccarat tournaments and other competitions that can come close to the incredible win factor of jackpots.

Those that are licensed, regulated, audited, and in cooperation with leading casino software developers. Our list of online baccarat recommendations will lead you to plenty of online casinos that fit this exact description.

We highly recommend that you start off with something as simple as Punto Banco. Moreover, you should make small bets as you learn the ropes.

You can find a wide range of online baccarat bonuses, such as welcome, deposit, no deposit, reload, and even cashback offers. Note that special promotions are in store for high rollers and VIP players.

No, it is definitely not rigged. Reputable and licensed casinos dare not rig any casino game, let alone baccarat. These institutions want to retain your loyalty in the long run, so shady activity is completely off the table.

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