Online Baccarat Guide 2023

Baccarat has been played for centuries in all corners of the world. It has different titles, versions, and bets but the love of fans remains the same. It is fun, quick, and can be played not depending on whether you have solid skills or only start gambling.

The game of baccarat can be enjoyed both in land-based casinos and online, offering gamblers plenty of options. In these guidelines, we are going to discuss the history of this game, how we choose the best baccarat casinos, as well as the rules and odds you should be aware of.

Here are the key messages we’ll discuss in our online baccarat guide:

History of Baccarat Game

The origin of baccarat is not clear and several European countries, mainly France and Italy, argue about whether they were the first to introduce this game. Its variations exist in numerous countries and are called Punto Banco in Spain, Chemin De Fer (‘piece of iron’) in France, and Nine in Eastern Europe. The most common version states that this game was invented by Felix Falguiere from Italy.

The first mentions date back to the middle of the 15th century and for quite a while was played by nobility. However, with time it went mainstream and quickly found fans among different layers of the population.

4 Interesting Facts

1. Felix Falguiere played the game of baccarat with tarot cards.
2. The Chemin De Fer game was first played in the US at the Palm Beach resort and the Saratoga race track in 1911.
3. In 2014, about 90% of the Macao casino revenues came from baccarat.
4. The plot of the Casino Royale movie centres around baccarat.

How To Play Baccarat Online?

Online gamblers have a unique opportunity to decide whether to play baccarat for fun or for real money. Here is how they differ:

• Free baccarat games. They don’t require any bets, so you can get familiar with the game in a relaxed mode without any risks and worries. Pick a free title at HEX and start playing directly from our platform;
• Real-money games. Those who want to play baccarat online for real money should choose a reliable gambling site from our list, create an account, make a bet, and gamble.

Not depending on the option you choose, you are guaranteed to have fun when playing this entertaining game.

Main Rules Of The Game

One of the things that players love about baccarat is that it is rather simple and you don’t have to be a gambling genius to get started. Don’t be scared away by the number of game types and strategies: everything is simpler than it seems at first.

If you want to learn how to play baccarat casino game, you should start with the basics. The player and the banker are dealt with two cards face up. In a real-money mode, you can get a third card but whether it drops or not depends on the total value of your hand (if you have 0 to 5, you’ll receive it; if 6 or 7 – won’t). If the value is 8 or 9, the hand wins. Isn’t it simple?

Baccarat is a single-digit card game which means that you can’t go over 9 points. If the hands have more in value, you reset to 0 and should subtract 10 points. For example, if the total of your hands is 14, your baccarat score is 4 (14 – 10 = 4).

Editor’s Tip: Gamblers who have never played baccarat should start with free modes or low bets to get familiar with the rules and odds and avoid possible risks.

Card Value

As you see, baccarat rules are centred around card value and to start playing all you need is to remember their weight. The points are distributed as follows:

Bet Types

Baccarat is a game that gives players a chance to try out different bets and strategies and is a great option for those who want something more than spinning the wheel of fortune and entrusting everything to the chance. Here are the most popular baccarat bet types that you should be aware of:

• Banker (House edge: 1.06%) – This bet is known as the best baccarat bet because it has the lowest house edge. However, casinos usually benefit from this fact and get a particular commission every time the bet wins. Usually, it equals somewhere around 5%. Double-check the conditions before making the Banker bet;
• Player (House edge: 1.36%) – When making this bet, a player states that this particular hand is going to win. It is the second most popular bet because even though the house edge is higher when compared to the Banker one, there is no commission involved;
• Tie (house edge: 14.04%) – When placing the Tie bet, a player hopes that both the player and the banker will have hands with the same value. However, the odds are against players: even though the payout is much higher, the house edge is rather unfavourable.

Odds and Payouts

If you are interested in becoming an instant gambling millionaire, betting at baccarat is not the best option. However, its odds and payouts are still rather generous. For example, the Banker bet has 45.86% odds of winning and a 1:0.95 payout (remember about a 5% commission applied to the winning bets).

When choosing the Player bet, the odds equal 44.62% and the payout is 1:1. The Tie bet is the least favorable with a 9.52% probability and a low 8:1 payout. When excluding the Tie and calculating the odds based on the Banker and the Player bets, you’ll see that the first bet wins in 51% of cases.

Short Glossary

Any game, especially a card one with bets, has a particular set of words and terms that a person unfamiliar with the game is not aware of. If you are new to baccarat, learning the basic glossary is a must.

Most Popular Baccarat Games

One of the things players love about baccarat is that this card game comes in multiple variations, so there are always unexpected twists and turns waiting even for those who seem to try everything. Below we will discuss five types of baccarat casino games that are enjoyed worldwide the most.

Speed baccarat

Even though baccarat is a fast-paced game, there is a version that speeds up the process, and an average game lasts twice less. Plus, there is a feature that allows speeding the game even more. Instead of dealing the cards face down, they are dealt face-up at once, significantly shortening the overall game duration.

Live baccarat

It’s difficult to find a player who has never tried live games. They are fun, modern, and so realistic that you can easily forget that you’re playing online and not offline. Usually, live baccarat is broadcasted from a studio or a real casino and is lead by a professional dealer. Players can communicate and there is a full immersion into the process. Such games also offer numerous customization features.

Mini baccarat

This variation follows classical rules and is played with six decks. However, the betting limits are lower and the table is smaller. The Banker, Player, and Tie bets remain the same.

Progressive Baccarat

To give a game a new turn, developers created progressive baccarat. At first, it seems rather standard but everything changes when it comes to side bets. If the jackpot is hit, it is shared among gamblers who placed a side bet at the beginning of the round.

VIP Baccarat

At first, this card game was played by the aristocrats and the bets were rather high. That is why there is a variation that is ready to satisfy the needs of high-rollers. VIP baccarat is played with eight decks and a player with the highest bet can peep into the face-down cards. This means that the player knows the outcome before other players.

Play Baccarat Games Online

Live Baccarat

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Live Baccarat Squeeze

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Baccarat

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Prestige Baccarat

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World-Known Baccarat Game Developers

Online baccarat games are extremely popular and it is not surprising that so many game developers add it to their library and try to surprise gamblers with new features and top-notch design. Here are some of the most popular and trustworthy development studios which create baccarat games:

• Playtech – This company was founded in 1999 and has one of the best baccarat selections in the modern market. Some of its most popular creations are VIP Baccarat and No Commission Baccarat which address the needs of players with different bankroll and preferences;
• Evolution Gaming – This studio creates diverse variations of casino games which amaze even the most experienced players. Evolution Gaming gave birth to Squeeze and Speed Baccarat, and such features as Banker Bonus, Perfect Pairs, and Choice of Roads will surely make the game process fun and unique;
• NetEnt – NetEnt remains one of the leading studios no matter how many developers emerge. They used the latest Chroma Key Technology to create outstanding live dealer baccarat versions known as the Punto Banco Pro Series with diverse bets and numerous control variations.

Playing Your Favourite Games On Mobile

Nowadays, you can play baccarat game online not depending on your location. Players don’t have to be glued to their personal computers and laptops because modern software studios adapt casino games to smartphones and tablets. This means that you can play baccarat while waiting for a friend or when being stuck in a traffic jam.

And the best part is that you can choose whether to play in a devoted application or stick to a no download browser mode. We recommend finding out whether a casino has a mobile version before signing up because it adds convenience and flexibility which nowadays are very important.

Casino Promotions For Baccarat Fans

Gambling is not only fun but rewarding if you not only chase the winnings but know how to benefit from different promotions and bonuses. Here are the most popular offers you may find when playing baccarat online:

• Welcome bonus – It rewards players with extra cash which you can spend on baccarat games. Every particular game has a contribution percentage to the wagering requirement, so get familiar with the terms in advance;
• Reload bonus – This bonus may add some money to your account when making a deposit. It looks the same as a welcome bonus but is offered not to the first time but to regular players;
• VIP program – By participating in this program, players get higher withdrawal limits, obtain access to closed events, and receive other engaging perks; Cashback. This promotion gives a chance to return a certain percent of the losses. Usually, the cashback percentage is increased along with the loyalty level;
• Regular promotions – They include birthday presents, gifts on public holidays, and other bonuses that are published on the Promotion page or sent via email. Other perks may include invitations to VIP tournaments, time-limited draws, and valuable gifts on special occasions like birthdays or Christmas.

Baccarat Strategies That Actually Work

While pokies remain the most popular type of casino games, there are millions of players who choose table and card titles. And it is not surprising because these games give a unique opportunity to sharpen gambling skills and apply various strategies. These strategies aim to reduce losses and increase winnings. Here are the most common types of strategies to play baccarat card game and win:

1. 1-3-2-4 This strategy is definitely one of the most popular approaches no matter what card game you choose. Its main aim is to select the bet amount in a way to cover any possible losses. This strategy is rather simple: every time you win a hand, the bet can be increased. If you lose, it is better to drop down to the initial stake. Even though this strategy isn’t perfect, it allows managing your bankroll wisely.
2. Bet on the Banker If you surf tips and advice on how to play baccarat, you will find this strategy literally in every guideline. It is the safest and easiest strategy to apply, especially if you are a beginner and haven’t mastered other strategies yet. The Banker bet has the lowest 1.06% house edge and the highest RTP – 98.94%.
3. Paroli The Paroli strategy is a positive betting system which is widely applied when betting on baccarat, craps, roulette, and Sic Bo. This strategy has been used since the 16th century and states that you should double the bet every time you win. The main goal of this system is to make three wins in a row.

Winning Tips & Tricks

Once you have tried the free play mode and are ready to bet real money, you should be aware of a few tips to make gambling not only fun but also profitable. Here are some of them, that are actually work on practise:

• Choose a reliable online casino. During a practice mode, you may not need to share any sensitive data but real-money gambling requires indicating your full name, address, and bank cards. When choosing an untrustworthy casino, you risk losing personal information and money, as well as playing games that are not random and fair;
• Check how many decks the game has. Most baccarat games have six decks but there are variations with a different number which can influence the house edge. For example, it is higher in six-deck baccarat than in a single-deck one;
• Manage your budget wisely. Even though baccarat has a low house edge, you should still consider your bankroll seriously. The best tip is not to exceed 5% of a bankroll on a hand. If you are ready to spend more than $100, the bet shouldn’t exceed $2 per hand;
• Find a suitable strategy. There are numerous baccarat strategies, so if you are an advanced player and want to boost your gambling skills, get familiar with different options, and pick the best one. Usually, all strategies are based on a positive or negative progression.