Pros and cons of playing baccarat online
Here are the pros and cons of choosing online baccarat over other popular casino table games:
Online Baccarat: Pros and Cons
- Simple to learn
- Can move at a fast pace
- Available both live and in video form
- Not much room for strategy/skill
Getting started with online baccarat
Along with
Online Roulette
and blackjack, baccarat is one of the mainstays of the online casino world, which means there is no shortage of options available to play. With that much choice, it can be hard to know where to start, which version to play or even if you should be playing for free or with real money.
This guide will clear up any doubts you may have, and help you get started on the right online baccarat path. You’ll want to know about the different versions of the game, but before we look at those, I’ll need to go over how the game is played.
How to play baccarat
While baccarat might seem more complicated than any of the other table games you’ll find at a casino – it’s actually much simpler than you would think. The participants are the banker and the player who are each dealt two cards to begin with. There is no real strategy required, and you simply have to decide if the winning hand will belong to the banker or the player, with you wagering on the outcome. The winning hand will be whichever is closest to 9. To do this cards have a slightly different value to when you play other games:
- 2-9 face value
- 10 or J,Q,K – zero
- Aces – 1
Should the total of the two cards add up to more than 10, the first digit is discarded. This is best illustrated with by example:
- A King and 7 are dealt – total of hand is 7
- A 5 and an Ace are dealt – the total is 6
- A 7 and a 5 are dealt – this adds up to 12 but the 1 is discarded to make the total 2.
In the last instance where the total of the hand is less than 5, another card is drawn, and there is also the option to hit if the hand totals 6 or more. If both hands equal the same total, the game is a tie.
Online baccarat payouts
While there are some small variations depending on the version of baccarat you are playing, the payout structure for baccarat works like this:
- A player win pays even money 1-1 – you wager $2 and win $2
- A Banker win pays 0.95 – 1, which accounts for a built-in edge for the house, so you wager $2 and win $1.90
- A tie normally pays between 6-1 and 8-1, so your $2 could win $12 or $16 here
Other baccarat bets
Taking a step outside this main format, you might also find options for side bets as well. These can vary according to game type and location but you can typically bet on how many cards the banker will draw, or if the cards drawn will be a pair or not.
This might sound complicated but you must remember you are merely an observer to this action – all you need to decide is if the winner is going to be the banker, player, or if it will be a tie. This makes it a perfect game for beginners to try, and can also be fast moving, depending on the version you choose to play.
The different ways to play baccarat online
As with playing
Blackjack Online, there is a huge amount of choice about what type of game you play, where you play it, and what you are playing for. First of all you need to decide between regular and live baccarat.
- Regular Baccarat
This game is decided by computer, similar to
Free Video Poker, and there are no people involved. This type is less common nowadays and for the most part has been replaced by the live version.
- Live Baccarat
Here you are playing with a live dealer, real cards and seeing everything in real time over a video feed. Because this is the most popular way to play online baccarat there are plenty of different options.
| Baccarat version | Details |
| Live baccarat | Player. Banker & tie as results – banker pays 0.95-1 |
| Speed baccarat | Same as above – but time between hands is much shorter |
| No commission baccarat | Banker pays 1-1 no house edge |
In addition you may also see the following variations, although these will not be available everywhere
- Baccarat Squeeze – where the player with the highest bet is allowed to reveal a card’s value
- Progressive Jackpot Baccarat – jackpot is built from portion of house edge and triggered by a tie
- Bet On Baccarat – bet on the total of cards drawn, the colors and whether they will be odd or even
Playing online baccarat for free
There are plenty of variations to online baccarat, and these are not exclusive to real money casinos. If you are in a country or state where casinos are not legal, there are other legit options. One of the most popular in the US is to play at a sweepstakes casino. Many sweepstakes casinos have live baccarat options, often from the same suppliers like Evolution, and have the same variations as many regular casinos.
Playing online baccarat in demo mode
The one thing you can’t usually do with live baccarat, however, is play in demo mode. Demo mode is normally restricted to the video versions. You can use this format to become familiar with the way the game works without risking any real money.
There are also free online games and apps that let you play baccarat with no money involved. These too are a good way to get used to the game.
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Finding the right place to play
When it comes to finding a good spot to play online baccarat, your options will be limited by your location. However, you will still have plenty of options on what casino to sign up with. To help with this vital final step, I’ve put together a list of what to look for when choosing your place to play.
Make Sure You Are Playing Legally 🛡️
Make sure you are playing legally – always check the small print to ensure you are signing up with a legit platform for where you are. The best way to do this is to look at the banners on this page for recommendations.
Check Out the Game Selection 🎮
Check out the game selection – make sure they have the version of baccarat you want to play. Some casinos will opt for quantity over quality so don’t always be attracted to big numbers. The quality of the games is often more important than the overall number of games.
Ease of use – spend some time at a casino to see how easy it is to get around. That’s not just finding the baccarat options but also your account and basic functions like deposits and withdrawals. This is also a good chance to look into the terms and conditions governing deposits and withdrawals. You don’t want to get invested in a casino only to find out you can’t withdraw your winnings later on.
Customer Support Options 🤝
Customer support options – you should also check out the live chat and other options for contacting customer support. This way if you do have a problem or query, you know you’ll get answers and not some generic reply that solves nothing.
Look for bonuses – many online casinos will give bettors bonuses and rewards to keep things interesting. When deciding where to play, remember to weigh the value of whatever welcome bonus and deposit bonus a casino has available. Things like rakeback, VIP programs, and referral programs are also worth considering.
Staying safe while playing baccarat online
Before I close this off, there is one more thing to cover. Regardless of where you choose to sign-up, here are 5 takeaways that will help you to stay safe while you play
- Pick a licensed and legit casino – you can click one of the banners on this page to find one where you can play safely
- Set a budget and stick to it – its important to stay in control and step away if you need to
- Take breaks – baccarat is fun, but you should not let it get in the way of spending time with friends and family or going to work
- Don’t bet emotionally – don’t go chasing an endorphin rush, or play while feeling particularly down or elated.
- Don’t chase losses – increasing wagers to make up for losses rarely ends well.
Conclusion – are you ready to start playing online?
Despite looking complicated, playing a baccarat game online is anything but. While there are some rules to be aware of, all you need to do is decide whether to back the banker, the player, or opt for the tie. The big decision then, is which version of the game you want to play and where you are going to play.
You’ll find everything you need to make the right choice here, regardless of whether you want to play video or live baccarat. You’ll see banners around this page for all the recommended options, and some of the biggest bonuses for where you are. The only thing left is to take a look and find whichever baccarat online casino is best for you.
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Baccarat online FAQs
🧐 Is it legal to play baccarat online?
There are many licensed casinos and sweepstakes platforms where you can play online baccarat legally, but that will depend entirely on where you are. Laws regarding any sort of casino games like blackjack, roulette and even
Pai Gow Poker Online
will vary between countries and states. The banners on this page will always show you options that are legal and available in your specific region.
📚 Is online baccarat easy to learn?
Yes, it is easy to learn. Baccarat might look complicated but in reality it is very simple. While there are some variations between games, in basic terms you need to wager on either the banker, the player or the tie.
💰 Can you win money playing baccarat online?
Yes, it is possible to win real money by gambling on online baccarat. However, remember that there is no guarantee this will happen and you should steer clear of anyone who tells you that you can. By learning what’s involved and picking the right format, however, you can still get the most from the experience.
🏆 Where is the best place to play baccarat online?
While baccarat is essentially a simple game, there are plenty of playing variations to choose from. You’ll need to decide if you want to play video or live baccarat.
🎮 Can you play baccarat online for free?
Baccarat is widely available in all types of online casinos, including free to play platforms like sweepstakes casinos and social casinos. Some casinos also have this game available in demo mode, but this is not common for live baccarat tables.
