Guide to Online Baccarat

Baccarat is a classic card game that has been enjoyed by players for centuries, stretching back to the 1400s according to historians.

With its simple rules and exciting gameplay, it's no wonder that baccarat remains one of the most popular games in online casinos.

If you're looking to try your luck at baccarat, you've come to the right place. Our guide to online baccarat is designed to help you get started and make the most of your experience.

In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about baccarat, including basic rules and strategies.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, our guide will provide you with the tools you need to play baccarat with confidence. Continue reading to learn the following:

What is baccarat? The basics you should know

Baccarat is a great game for the beginner card player thanks to its simple rules.

As a game of chance, it requires the player to bet on the outcome of two hands; one belonging to them and one belonging to the dealer or the banker. The winner is the one whose two cards add up to a total of nine, or as close as possible, although a tie can also occur.

To calculate the value of a hand, we must follow these rules:

• Cards are worth their face value, except for the 'face' cards (Jack, Queen, and King), which are worth zero.
• Aces are worth one.
• If the value exceeds 10, then just the last digit of the total is used. For example, two 9s (18) would be worth eight, while a 5 and a 6 (11) would be worth just one.
• Sometimes, when neither total equals 8 or 9, the banker will deal a third card to each hand as a kind of extra round.

Baccarat odds

Payouts normally follow the following odds:

• A winning bet on the player hand = 1 to 1, a doubling of your stake, so if you stake $5, you'll get $10 back.
• A winning bet on the dealer hand = 19 to 20, or just under 1 to 1, thanks to the casino taking a small commission.
• A winning bet on the tie typically pays 8 to 1, so a $5 stake would net you $40.

The different types of baccarat

Baccarat has a number of variations. While they all follow a similar format, it's worth noting some important differences:

• Punto Banco (also known as North American Baccarat) – This is the most common type of baccarat and is a pure game of chance, following the rules outlined above. It's thought to have been devised following the game's arrival in North America in the 1800s.
• Chemin de Fer – This version has more in common with the original French game. It allows players to shuffle card decks, draw cards themselves, and choose if they want a third card, so there is a tiny amount of skill involved. The result is still out of the player's hands, though.
• Baccarat Banque – A sister version of Chemin de Fer which lets players take turns to be the dealer, alternating who has the most power between hands.
• Mini Baccarat – A simplified version of the game that you play on a smaller table and fewer players. The emphasis is on user-friendliness and speed.

The dos and don'ts of baccarat

At Casino Meter, we always recommend that you read through the rules of each game thoroughly before you play. Better still, you should try them out for free, which you can do for baccarat by going to our list of free casino games and choosing baccarat in the 'Game Type' filter.

Other than that, there are several baccarat 'dos and don'ts' that we'd also advise you to follow:

• DO manage your bankroll – Set a budget for yourself and stick to it, avoiding excessive betting.
• DON'T bet on the tie – It has a higher house edge and isn't great value for money.
• DO play to have fun – This is why playing for free is so great, because it takes away the pressure of playing for money.
• DON'T let previous hands influence your decisions – This is known as Gambler's Fallacy, the mistaken belief that past outcomes count for something in games of chance.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to play mobile baccarat?

Yes, it is. Mobile baccarat is a popular game for players who like to play on their handheld devices and most games lose very little quality transferring to the mobile format thanks to HTML-5 technology.

To find mobile baccarat games, go to our list of mobile casinos and choose 'Baccarat' from the 'Game Type' filter.

Which baccarat version has the best return to player (RTP)?

Each baccarat game's RTP depends on the rules and payout structure of that particular game, not the version. In general, though, baccarat games that pay out 9 to 1 for a tie have a lower RTP than those that pay 8 to 1, as the 9 to 1 payout increases the house edge.

It's best to check the rules and payout structure of each game before playing to determine its RTP.

Is baccarat more fun than other casino games?

Your enjoyment of playing baccarat or any other casino game is subjective and depends on your individual taste.

Some players might find baccarat to be more exciting due to its speed, while others may prefer different games like blackjack or roulette.

Overall, though, the fun factor of a casino game depends on things like the player's preferences, knowledge of the rules, and overall casino experience.