This game was once only played by the high rollers. Luckily has changed, and with the help of our handy guide, you could win big. We’ll help you find top online USA casinos to play baccarat online.
Common questions about the game — the odds of each bet, the way commission on banker wins is taken, the difference between the table versions — are answered in our baccarat FAQs.
ONLINE BACCARAT BASICS
There are three main versions of baccarat; Punto Banco, Chemmy, and Banque. Punto Banco, also known as American baccarat, is the most popular version of the casino game in America and is based purely on luck.
The other two versions, however, do require the player to make some decisions, so a bit of skill is required. This guide will focus on the general rules, tips, and strategies of online baccarat, to help our readers when they play at a casino online. But before we get into that, let’s go over how the game is played first.
HOW TO PLAY BACCARAT ONLINE
Learning to play baccarat is easy. Most versions of the game will use the game’s rules to determine whether the player or banker gets another card. This makes it simpler than blackjack, where the player must decide to hit or stand. Below is a quick step-by-step guide on learning how to play online blackjack.
- Step 1 – The game begins with the player betting if either the banker wins, the player wins, or that the game will be a tie.
- Step 2 – Once the bets have been placed, the dealer will hand two cards to the player, and two to the banker. These cards will be placed face up.
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Step 3 – The aim of the game is to get as close to 9 as possible. The rules of standing and drawing are a bit different for the player and the banker. Let’s go over the rules for the player first:
- if the player’s total is between 0 and 5 he/she will draw a third card
- if the player’s total is 6 or 7, he/she will stand
BACCARAT GAME RULES
The game’s slight complication sets in with the rules for the banker, as it depends on the third card of the player.
If the player’s third card is a:
- 9, 10, face card or an Ace, the banker draws if he/she has a total of 0-3, and stands on a 4-7
- 8 the banker draws if he/she has a 0-2, and stands on a 3-7
- 6 or 7 the banker draws when he/she has a 0-6, and stands on a 7
- 4 or 5 the banker draws when he/she has a 0-5, and stands on a 6-7
- 2 or 3 the banker draws on a 0-4, and stands on a 5-7
The following rules apply to both the player and the banker:
- if the sum total of the banker or the player’s cards is a double-digit number, the second digit is used
- if either the banker or the player has an 8 or 9 it is a ‘natural win,’ and the game is over
The cards are ranked as follows:
- face cards: King, Queen, Jack and 10 are worth 0
- aces: are worth 1 point
- numbered cards: keep their face value
Learn more about how to play the game of baccarat here.
Top 10 Baccarat Casinos
Baccarat is growing in popularity, and more players are looking for top Baccarat casino sites. We’ve compiled a list of our top ten Baccarat casinos to help players decide where they should sign up. To create this list, we took into account the number of Baccarat games on offer, the welcome bonus offer, and a few other aspects of the casino. Check out our complete top ten list below!
1 – Café Casino
If you want the best Baccarat casino, Café Casino is for you. It offers new players a $5500 welcome bonus, as well as three different Baccarat games. On top of that, one of those Baccarat games is a live dealer version. Finally, customer support and banking options are first-class, making this one of the best choices for Baccarat players.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 3
- Welcome Bonus: $5500
- Live Baccarat: Yes
2 – Sun Palace Casino
With a $10 000 welcome bonus on offer, it’s hard not to consider Sun Palace Casino. The casino offers a single version of Baccarat to enjoy, plus plenty of other games. The customer support, and banking are top-notch as well. This is definitely a casino you should seriously consider for Baccarat.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $10 000
- Live Baccarat: No
3 – BoVegas Casino
BoVegas always makes a strong showing on our top ten lists, and this is no different. The casino offers one version on Baccarat to enjoy, as well as many other strong aspects. These include the great bonuses and promotions, customer support, and banking. If you’re looking for a top Baccarat casino, there’s no reason not to consider BoVegas seriously.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $6000
- Live Baccarat: No
4 – Las Vegas USA Casino
Our editorial team really liked Las Vegas USA Casino, and we think Baccarat players will as well. There is one version of Baccarat available, as well as excellent customer support. Add the $5000 welcome bonus, and you’ve got a great choice.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $5000
- Live Baccarat: No
5 – Crypto Reels Casino
Crypto Reels has a fresh look and many great features, including an excellent Baccarat game. Add the $4500 welcome bonus to the mix, along with excellent customer support and banking; it’s easy to see why Crypto Reels features on our list. And when you feel like playing something other than Baccarat, there’s plenty of other casino games to entertain you.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $4500
- Live Baccarat: No
6 – Slots of Vegas Casino
Slots of Vegas has a lot to offer all gamblers, whether you’re looking for Baccarat or not. There are plenty of games, a great $4000 welcome bonus, excellent support, and a good selection of banking options. But, if Baccarat is your game of choice, you won’t be disappointed.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $4000
- Live Baccarat: No
7 – All Star Slots Casino
All Star Slots Casino primarily focus on slot games, but that doesn’t mean Baccarat players shouldn’t consider it. The casino offers one version of Baccarat, along with all its other games. There is also a $4000 welcome bonus for new players, plus great banking options and customer support.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $4000
- Live Baccarat: No
8 – Irish Luck Casino
Irish Luck is a great choice for players; however, if Baccarat is what you’re after, the casino has you covered. There is one version of Baccarat on offer, and there is plenty of other good things on offer. These include a $3000 welcome bonus, great support, plenty of other games, and good banking options.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $3000
- Live Baccarat: No
9 – Old Havana Casino
Old Havana is a favorite casino of ours, so we’re happy to be able to put it on our list of top 10 Baccarat casinos. There is one version of Baccarat available, plus a $3000 welcome bonus offer. It ticks many other boxes, like excellent support and payout options. This is definitely a casino worth considering for Baccarat players.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $3000
- Live Baccarat: No
10 – Red Dog Casino
Red Dog finishes off our list of top ten Baccarat casinos. That doesn’t mean its not worth serious consideration, though. There is a single version of Baccarat available, plus excellent customer support and banking.
The welcome bonus is slightly smaller than casinos on our list. But it is still a great choice and shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Number of Baccarat Games: 1
- Welcome Bonus: $2250
- Live Baccarat: No
How We Review the Best Online Baccarat Casino Sites?
When it comes to playing online casino baccarat, it is vitally important to make sure you play your online baccarat game at a respectable casino. Our goal is to help it help our readers find the best baccarat sites. You be wondering how we decide which casino sites to recommend. Below is an outline of what aspects we look at when we rate the best casino sites for baccarat.
Casino Security and Fair Games
The most important thing to consider when choosing a casino site to play baccarat is security and fairness. We make sure that any casino we recommend has a proper license and is trustworthy and reputable. We also ensure the casino has proper security in place to protect a player’s personal data. Finally, we ensure the casino uses fair games with truly random results, so players don’t need to worry about being cheated out of winning hands.
Bonuses and Promotions
When playing baccarat for real money, it is always important to find a casino that offers amazing bonuses and promotions. The best baccarat sites will offer players great bonuses to help them get started with the game. Our top baccarat casinos have amazing bonuses on offer, with fair terms and conditions. We highly recommend using these bonuses, once you’ve checked the wagering requirements, of course.
High-Quality Baccarat Games
If you’re looking for a baccarat casino, it needs to offer a good selection of high-quality baccarat games. We make sure any casino we recommend for players will offer several variations, with top quality graphics, fair random number generators, and other great features.
Mobile Baccarat
No one wants to be stuck inside all the time, and many gamblers are looking to be able to enjoy their favorite casino games from their mobile devices. Our recommended casinos will all offer mobile baccarat games for gamblers to enjoy from their smartphones and tablets. We make sure the casino will have optimized the baccarat games for smaller mobile screens, as well as touch screen controls.
Customer Support
Any high-quality baccarat casino needs to be able to quickly and effectively deal with any issues players run into. We make sure our recommended sites have excellent customer support that can be reached 24-hours a day, through multiple different channels.
Payouts and Banking
After lady luck has been on your side, you’re going to need to be able to withdraw your winnings from the casino. We make sure our casinos have good payout percentages and great banking options. These will include multiple different deposit and withdrawal methods.
Baccarat Rules
- The lowest value of a hand is 0.
- The highest value of a hand is 9.
- If the value of a hand exceeds 9 only the second digit of the value will be considered. For example, if the hand is 16, the actual value is 6.
- If an 8 or a 9 is dealt, it is known as a ‘natural hand’, and the game is over.
- The player’s hand is dealt first.
Online Baccarat Versions
There are many versions of baccarat available to casino players. We recommend trying them all to see which one you like best. Some of the most common baccarat versions are:
- 2 to 1 Baccarat
- 7 Up Baccarat
- Asian Stud
- Baccarat Gold
- Lucky Draw Baccarat
- Super Pan 9
Tips and Tricks for Baccarat
- Make sure that you know and understand the rules of the game.
- Make sure that you know and understand the different bets that can be made.
- The riskiest bet to make is to bet on a tie, as it is quite rare.
- Always look at the cards before making a decision.
- Check the odds and the payout before you start playing, so you know exactly what your chances are.
- Set a bankroll amount and stick to it.
- Work out the amount of profit you would be happy with, based on your bankroll, so that you will not be too tempted to keep playing, and will be able to ‘quit while you are ahead.’
- The games with the smallest number of decks have the best chances of winning.
What Are the Top Baccarat Betting Strategies?
Baccarat is not a game of skill, and winning comes down to luck. However, as with many other table games, there are numerous betting strategies out there that could help reduce losses. These strategies won’t make you win more hands, but could help make the most of your wins. Below is a small list of top betting strategies we recommend for playing baccarat for real money.
The 1-3-2-4 Strategy
The 1-3-2-4 strategy encourages players to increase their bets at certain times to cover future losses. While no strategy is 100% foolproof, there have been many players who have used this strategy successfully.
One Sided
The One Sided strategy is one of the simplest real money baccarat strategies around. Essentially, players must decide to bet on the banker or the player and stick with their choice. Continue betting until you have lost three times. Once you have, step back and wait for your choice to start winning again before jumping back in.
Paroli
The Paroli strategy is known as a positive betting strategy. This means players increase their wager when they win a round.
If you start with a bet of $1, if you win, you double it to $2, and if you win, again, you double it to $4. If you lose, you return to your original $1 bet. You also return to your original bet after three wins.
Why Play Baccarat Online?
- If you feel a little intimidated by the land-based baccarat tables, free versions of baccarat give you the perfect opportunity to play worry-free and is a great way to practice.
- Playing online allows you to concentrate on the game without having the noisy background of a casino environment. This will keep you relaxed and help you to make better decisions.
- It allows you to play at smaller stakes, with less money, which is why it is a great place to learn and make money.
- If you do miss the commotion of the casino floor, many online casinos have a live dealer option that you can play from the comfort of your home. This option allows you to stream a live baccarat game with a real dealer. The process is similar to baccarat and even allows you to chat with the players and the dealer using a live text chat option.
- You do not have to wait to play as mobile baccarat allows you to play your favorite game anywhere, anytime.
Baccarat Glossary
Banker bet
To wager that the banker will win the round
Burn
An action in which the first few cards are taken out of the shoe is not used in the game to prevent cheating
Commission
An amount of money received from the player if he/she bet on the banker, and the banker wins
Draw
To take more cards
Mini baccarat
A version of the game with smaller tables and lower stakes
Natural eight
When the total value of a hand is 8
Natural nine
When the total value of the hand is 9, it is a winning hand and is known as baccarat
Player bet
To wager that the player will win the round
Stand
To stay with the cards you have
Shoe
A container that is used to hold the cards during the game
Tie bet
To wager that the game will be a tie (also known as a stand-off)
History of Baccarat
Many players will argue between Italy and France as the birthplace of baccarat. The Italian version of events suggests that the game began in the 1480’s and was played using tarot cards. The name baccarat comes from the slang word zero in Italian. It was then introduced to the French in the 1500’s and was known as Chemin de Fer, translated as railroad.
The game underwent a few changes and became close to the game we know today. Baccarat became popular among the French aristocracy as they indulged in games during their hours of leisure. The game was banned in 1830 and was only legalized in the 1920’s.
The game was then brought to America as Punto Banco from Cuba and became known as American baccarat, due to the slight change in rules. It was introduced as the main feature in the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, and in the 1990’s, made its presence online.
FAQ Baccarat
Do I always have to bet on my own hand in baccarat?
No, you do not. If you feel that the banker has a better hand, you bet on it. Always remember the aim of the game is to bet on the hand you feel is closest to 9.
Is there a payout difference if I bet on the player or the banker?
No, the payout is the same if you bet on the player or the banker. However, if you bet on the banker and he/she wins, you will have to pay an amount known as a commission.
What is a ‘shoe’ in baccarat?
A ‘shoe’ is a container that is used to hold multiple card decks. The shoe helps to reduce shuffling time and the possibility of the dealer cheating.
I have heard online baccarat is similar to blackjack, are the card values the same for both games?
Baccarat is similar to blackjack in the sense that both games require the player to reach a certain value using the cards of their hand. However, the card values are different. In baccarat the King, Queen, Jack, and 10 are worth 0, the aces are worth 1 point, and numbered cards keep their face value.
What is a winning hand in baccarat?
The aim of the game in baccarat is to get as close to a value of 9 based on the total value of the cards in your hand. A hand cannot exceed 9 as the only the second number of a double-digit value is used. For example, if the sum of the two cards is 12, the numbered value will be 2.
Is online baccarat rigged?
As long as you sign up at a reputable baccarat casino, the game will not be rigged. However, there are casinos out there who try to scam players, and these should be avoided at all costs. If you want to be safe, sign up at one of our recommended casinos to enjoy safe baccarat for real money.
What types of online baccarat are available?
There are quite a few variations of baccarat online. There are only slight differences between each version, but the basic objective is the same. Some of the most popular versions include Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque.
What are the odds in baccarat online?
Baccarat gives players pretty good odds, with a relatively low house edge. The payout percentage for most Baccarat games is around 98%.
What is the best bet in online baccarat?
If you’re looking for the baccarat bet with the best odds, you’re better off betting on the banker’s hand. It has a slight edge over betting on the payer’s hand. The bet with the worst odds is betting on the tie. The payout be good, but the odds of winning are extremely small.
Can you count cards when playing baccarat online?
When playing in a land-based casino, it is possible to count cards, but don’t expect much of an advantage. When playing baccarat, card counting is not possible, as the entire deck is reshuffled after every hand.
Can I play online baccarat at a casino site for free?
Absolutely! All of our recommended online baccarat casino sites will allow players to play for real money, or for free. Playing for free baccarat games allows gamblers to test new betting strategies or learn the game
What makes a winning hand in baccarat online?
Winning the hand is simple. The goal is to get the value of your hand as close to 9 as possible. Unlike blackjack, exceeding the target value doesn’t mean you lose.
If you exceed 9, the first digit is dropped. So, a hand with a value of 15 becomes 5, 18 becomes 8.
Is online baccarat a game of skill or luck?
Baccarat is a game of luck, and a player’s skill cannot influence the outcome of each round. All a player can do is decide whether they bet on the banker, the player, or a tie. Any bet, except a tie, offers a good chance of winning.