In this baccarat guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the game, including basic rules, advanced strategies, terminology, variants, and tips for making the most of free and real-money baccarat games. Of course, we’ve also included a list of the best casinos for playing baccarat.
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Baccarat is one of the most popular table games in the world, both at online and land-based casinos. It’s simple enough for novice players to enjoy but the advanced betting strategies are complex enough to keep even the most advanced gamblers in suspense.
The goal of the game is simple: to bet correctly on whether the player or banker (or both) will be dealt a hand that’s closest to the value of 9. Cards 2-9 are worth their face value, Aces are worth 1, and 10-King royals are worth 0. Usually, the player and banker receive two cards, but in some cases, they receive a third card.
Winning bets on the player pay out 100%, bets on the banker pay out 95%, and ties pay out 8:1.
While baccarat is a game of almost entirely luck, there are several betting strategies you can employ to boost your winnings and minimize your losses. Martingale, Fibonacci, D’Alembert, and more are all viable betting strategies. However, we recommend that you should first become comfortable with game basics before using an advanced betting strategy.
The simplest beginner betting strategy is to always bet on the banker. Even though bets pay out 95% and not 100%, the banker statistically wins more than the player, which can make the lower payout worthwhile.
Another good strategy for beginners is to play free baccarat games before jumping into real-money games. Free games allow you to gain familiarity with the basic rules and different betting strategies without having to risk money out of your own pocket. Once you feel comfortable, you can move on to real-money baccarat and employ the betting strategy of your choice.
Remember, baccarat is a straightforward casino game that’s ultimately based on luck. However, trying out different strategies and figuring out ways to beat the house certainly makes for a fun pastime.
The origins of baccarat are unclear, with some dating it to the 19th century and others dating it as far back as the 15th century. It has been recorded as a popular game of the French aristocracy since the 19th century, with King Charles VIII helping spread it among the nobility. From France, the game made its way to England, where it was played by people of all classes. English writer Ian Fleming helped boost baccarat's popularity by making it the favorite game of the now-legendary fictional character, James Bond. There have been several evolutions of baccarat, but many different versions are available today at online casinos.
Like all casino games, baccarat has its own terminology that players must learn in order to truly excel at the game. Here is a short list of the most popular baccarat terms.
The goal of baccarat is to bet correctly on who will get a hand with a value of 9 or as close as possible — the player or the banker. One additional option is to bet on a tie — that the player and the banker will get hands of the same value. Cards 2-9 are worth their face value, 10-King are worth 0, and aces are worth 1.
The player first places their bet, and then the hand is dealt — two cards for the player and two for the banker. If the dealt cards add up to more than 9, the dealer adds the two values together and drops the first digit. For example, a hand of 9 and 6, which totals 15, becomes a 5. In some cases, a third card is dealt.
One of the more exciting aspects of baccarat is choosing a betting strategy. While ultimately, baccarat is a game of luck, there are certain betting strategies that are meant to maximize your winnings or at least minimize your losses.
Many gambling experts recommend not betting on a tie because the house has a big advantage for this type of bet. If you don’t bet on a tie, what’s left? A popular strategy is to always bet on the banker because the banker statistically wins more than the player. Even though the payout is 95% and not 100%, betting on the banker still has an advantage.
Then there are more advanced betting systems, including:
Don’t start playing baccarat without reading these tips first!
Tie bets may have high odds, but they also have a big house edge: 14.36%. By comparison, banker bets have a house edge of 1.06% (minus commission) and player bets have a house edge of 1.24%.
Beginner players should take advantage of free baccarat games offered by many casinos. While you can’t win any real money with free games, you can become familiar with the game and practice your strategy without risking any hard cash.
Once you move on to real money baccarat, it’s important to determine a budget beforehand and then stick with it. While it can be tempting to continue if you’re on a roll or to try and recoup losses, avoid the urge and stop playing when your money runs out. Statistically, you’re better off this way as the longer you play, the higher the house edge becomes.
Are you keen to start playing baccarat but not sure how to go about it? Follow these five simple steps to get started.
Use our expert-reviewed list to find the best online casino for playing online baccarat.
Once you find an online casino that meets your requirements, sign up. Make sure to claim any relevant bonuses.
Before depositing money, get your feet wet with free baccarat games.
Once you feel comfortable with the game, you can deposit money to start playing real money games. Just look for the Cashier section on the casino page and follow the instructions for choosing your deposit method and making the transfer.
Now that you’ve deposited money, you’re ready to start playing your favorite version of baccarat! Have fun, but remember not to go over your budget.
This handy guide will help you learn all the key baccarat terms and start playing like a pro in no time!
Baccarat TerminologyBaccarat may be a relatively simple game, but there are many different types of variants based on the same idea. Read below to learn about the different versions of the popular casino game.
The basic version of the game, with the goal of betting on who will get a hand totaling 9 or close to it — the dealer or the player.
The live version of baccarat allows players to join real baccarat tables and interact with live croupiers from the comfort of their homes.
Dragon Tiger is an Asian-inspired version of baccarat in which players bet on who will get the higher card value: the dragon or tiger (or tie).
Live Dragon Tiger is a live-dealer version of the game, so players can enjoy the fun of their favorite baccarat variant while interacting with a real croupier.
An exciting version of the game in which a Lightning Round takes place after the traditional betting round. Five random cards are given a multiplier so players can win significantly more.
Punto Banco is a version of baccarat in which players must follow certain protocols depending on the cards dealt (unlike other versions, in which players can make choices for themselves).
Similar to Chemin de Fer, Baccarat Banque is a popular version of the game in which the casino always holds the bank.
Baccarat Squeeze is a live version of the game in which the cards are dealt face down instead of face up. The cards are then “squeezed,” i.e. revealed by the dealer.
Literally what it sounds like, Speed Baccarat is a faster version of the traditional game, with each round lasting about 27 seconds as opposed to the standard 48 seconds.
The main difference between Mini Baccarat and the standard version is that only the banker deals in Mini Baccarat, and fewer decks of cards are used than in the standard game.
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As long as you play at a licensed online casino, you can rest assured that online baccarat is fair and random. This is because licensed casinos are required by regulators to have their games tested for randomness and fairness on a regular basis.
Baccarat is mainly a game of luck, as players cannot control what cards they or the dealer receive. However, skill comes into play when choosing which bets to place and which strategies to employ. While betting strategies can’t alter the outcome of the cards, they can maximize your winnings and/or minimize your losses.
The house edge is 1.17% for a banker bet, 1.36% for a player bet, and about 14% for a tie bet.
There is no “best bet” as baccarat is a game of luck and players have no control over the outcome. As players gain experience, they develop a preference for different kinds of bets. Many players prefer the flat bet route, which is when you bet the same amount of money on each bet. Other players prefer trying different betting strategies, such as Martingale, D’Alembert, Fibonacci, and more.
Yes, many online casinos offer free games of baccarat. Just make sure to check this is an option before signing up. Free play baccarat is a great way for beginners to hone their skills before risking real money.
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