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What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a casino card game, which sees players wager on the ‘Player’ or ‘Banker’ (or in rarer cases, a Tie outcome). The idea is to bet on which of those options will have a card hand dealt out to it closer to 9 in total. That level of simplicity and the minimal decision-making required make it a popular game with players.
Sometimes, a baccarat game features a ‘natural’ 8 or 9 result. This occurs when the first two cards of either the ‘Player’ or ‘Banker’ hand have a value of 8 or 9. If this happens, the other hand is usually not allowed to draw an additional card.
While the betting sections are labelled ‘Banker’ and ‘Player’, neither you nor the dealer has anything to do with them. In fact, the dealer is there simply to take the bets and deal out the cards. Your role as the ‘Player’ is just to place a bet on the outcome you think will win.
Our Rating System for Baccarat Casinos
To ensure we’re providing you with the most reliable advice on the best baccarat casinos, we have a dedicated team of experienced reviewers who thoroughly test and evaluate gambling sites. This team carefully examines each casino based on a set of strict criteria, ensuring that only the top baccarat gambling platforms are recommended to you.
Our goal is to make sure you enjoy a safe, fair, and high-quality baccarat experience. Below, you can explore the key features we prioritize when rating baccarat online casinos.
The Quality of the Baccarat Games
It’s important for gamers to experience only high-quality baccarat releases. Therefore, we seek out the casino lobbies that feature baccarat from the best developers. These games tend to come with excellent graphics, smooth gameplay and entertaining features to keep you entertained.
The Return to Player and Payouts
Return to Player (RTP) is something that we always look for in online casino games. Many online playes are the same, so a casino needs to provide baccarat games with great RTP rates. At the same time, the average payout should be decent enough to maintain a player balance that allows you to continue betting.
Baccarat Game Features
As well as providing the most popular game options, the best baccarat online casino sites should feature releases with various extras involved. This includes additional side bets, the chance to use wagering tools, and so on. We’ll always highlight casinos with exciting baccarat game features.
The Chance for Demo Play
Many players like to play games for free before risking their own funds on them. This is why the top baccarat casinos provide some of their games in demo mode. This way, you can practice betting and playing a game without any risk to your real money balance.
Mobile Compatibility
Most online games are compatible with mobile devices today, so baccarat online casinos need to be, too. We search for gambling sites that offer excellent mobile apps and/or high-quality mobile websites. This way, the baccarat casino games can be experienced wherever you are in an enjoyable environment.
Level of Security
All casinos recommended by us are thoroughly verified, 100% secure, and proven to be fair. We carefully avoid promoting any rogue operators, mentioning them only to warn you against unsafe sites. Your experience should always be safe, enjoyable, and worry-free when joining and playing at a trusted baccarat casino.
Blacklisted Baccarat Casinos to Avoid
Here, we have highlighted some of the worst online baccarat casinos that players should avoid. These gambling sites have received the lowest ratings from our expert review team, offering a poor and often frustrating experience for ‘‘Player’’ s. We do not take these ratings lightly — each casino listed here has been thoroughly tested by our team to verify the negative feedback reported by players.
In addition to our independent testing, we have also gathered information and feedback from other reputable review platforms to strengthen and confirm their blacklisted status. Our goal is to protect you from unsafe, unfair, or unreliable baccarat casinos and ensure you have a clear understanding of which sites to avoid. Your safety and satisfaction are always our top priorities.
- Casino operates without a licence
- Complaints over withdrawal time
- Lack of response to customer contact
- Casino may confiscate player money
- Shady license and reputation
- Refuse to accept complaints
- Refuses to assist in resolving complaints
- Operates without a licence
- Complaints over non-withdrawals
- Does not hold an official licence
- Cancels withdrawals without reason
- Places barriers in front of withdrawals
Most Popular Versions of Online Baccarat
There isn’t just one single version of baccarat available to play online. Instead, you’ll find multiple exciting variations, each bringing its own unique set of rules, features, and in-game perks to the table. Every version also offers different payout structures, allowing players to experience a variety of winning opportunities. Many top software developers have created their own takes on baccarat, adding even more diversity to the selection. Below, we provide further insight into some of the most popular baccarat versions you can enjoy online.
Punto Banco
Punto Banco, which also goes by the name of American baccarat, is the simplest form of the game you can find in a baccarat casino. It follows the basic game rules, making it popular for newcomers to baccarat in general. You bet on the ‘Banker’ or the ‘Player’ hand to win and that’s it.
It’s a particularly popular version of baccarat to play in Asia, but has grown in popularity around the world in recent years. This is due to how easy it is to understand and wager on.
“The fact that punto banco baccarat has some of the lowest house edges amongst casino table games makes it appealing, I’d say. ‘Player’ bets feature a 1.24% house edge while ‘Banker’ bets are even lower at 1.06%. Card counting is also possible in physical versions of punto banco to help reduce the house edge even more. In my opinion, it’s a fun, simple version of the game to enjoy!”
Chemin de Fer
This variant of the game grew in popularity because it was the version played by James Bond in many of those films. It’s a more complicated option to play, making it intriguing for seasoned gamers.
Chemin de Fer uses six decks of cards and multiple players can sit at the table. Each players gets to be the croupier, with this role passing counterclockwise to all participants. The croupier wagers the amount they’re willing to risk and then all other players decide whether to “go bank” (place an equal bet). Four cards are dealt then – two to the ‘Banker’ and two to the players (all represented by the person with the highest individual bet), and gameplay continues as normal.
“Chemin de Fer is one of those games that is definitely for more seasoned baccarat gamers. While it does utilise some similar rules to the standard game, there are various extra rules included. It isn’t as popular with players as it used to be, and isn’t often found at online casinos to play, either.”
Baccarat Banque
The position of croupier/’Banker’ remains much more permanent in this version of the game at baccarat casinos. Three decks of cards are active in Baccarat Banque, with the ‘Banker’ retaining the position until all cards have been dealt. After each player has wagered, the ‘Banker’ deals a card to one of the players on the right and one on the left. The third goes to themselves. That process repeats, resulting in 6 cards on the table.
The remaining rules are the same as in Chemin de fer. This version is also typically played at land-based casinos more so than online.
“There aren’t many, if any, online casinos hosting baccarat banque. This is because it requires multiple players, and the role of ‘Banker’ needs to pass from one to another once all cards in the deck have been dealt. Like Chemin de fer, it’s a version that will appeal more to experienced gamers due to its extra rules.”
Mini Baccarat
Choosing to play this game is ideal for those who have smaller bankrolls, as it’s like a mini version of Punto Banco. It plays out on a reduced table and features smaller minimums and maximums. Even money is paid out on winning ‘Banker’ bets, instead of 95%, unless the ‘Banker’ wins with 6. This pays out only 50% of the wager.
Mini Baccarat is a fantastic version of the popular card game to start with if you’re new. It eases you in gently to the rules and gameplay.
“I still play mini baccarat even now just because I prefer the condensed betting table and gaming area. It’s the same for many players, especially anyone with a low bankroll. Mini baccarat brings just as much entertainment as the full-size game without the larger interface occupying your screen. I always recommend it as a good starting point for baccarat novices, too.”
Dragon Tiger
Much of Dragon Tiger’s popularity rests in Asia, and it serves as a simplified version of baccarat. Players wager on whether the Dragon or the Tiger hand will feature the higher value card. Regardless of suit, the highest card will determine which one is the winner, rather than the one closest to or exactly totalling 9. Aces are the lowest value card while other cards follow their numerical value, meaning the King is the highest.
It’s another game that is popular because of its simplicity, even more so than Mini Baccarat.
“Dragon Tiger is one of those games that is easy to understand. You place a bet on the Dragon or Tiger side, depending upon which side you think will have the highest card dealt out to it. That’s simple for any gamer, and even though it has a high level of popularity in Asia, it has a growing fanbase elsewhere, too. Try it out as a way of getting used to playing baccarat in a simplified way.”
Top 5 Baccarat Casino Games for Online Players
Choosing to play online baccarat for real money will see you met with various casino choices. The best of these are the ones offering a wide variety of baccarat casino games, including both classic options and live dealer baccarat amongst them.
There may be some versions of online baccarat that feature jackpot payouts too, and of course, these can only be won by playing at real money online casinos. So, while demo play is provided on most RNG baccarat tables, jackpots aren’t accessible in them.
With live dealer baccarat, you can only play for real money bets. Demo play is not offered on these games. That’s why it may be beneficial to play different versions of the game in RNG demo mode before switching to live dealer.
Here is some insight into the 5 most popular baccarat casino games available online today.
Dragon Tiger (Switch Studios)
Released in 2020, Dragon Tiger by Switch Studios is a low volatility RNG version of baccarat. It features a 96.27% RTP rate and the design of the betting table is simple to navigate and understand.
Because of the popularity of the game in Asia, it features an oriental design, with both the Dragon and the Tiger betting spaces represented by their respective creatures. Bets of up to €500 per round are possible and you can bet on a tie or a suited tie outcome, too.
- Simple, easy-to-learn game
- High-quality visuals and sounds
- 96.27% RTP rate
- No extra features beyond basic bets
“A fun, simple and high-quality game of Dragon Tiger, this Switch Studios release provides a welcome option to play. I love the simple sounds included in the game, which give it an almost serene feel when playing, and it’s a great game to begin with if you’re new.”
“The Dragon Tiger game from Switch Studios and Microgaming is fun and easy to learn. It’s a common baccarat variant, but it’s presented in a unique way. In fact, its simplicity is what makes this title an enjoyable one.”
Baccarat First Person (Evolution)
Combining the wonders of live baccarat with the best of first-person gameplay, this release from Evolution launched in 2020. One of its best perks is that it comes with a 98.95% RTP rate and it offers an exceptional VIP experience.
There are 12 baccarat tables available – six standard and six No Commission versions. Inbuilt features include being able to shuffle the shoe, sort the tables by roads or streaks and the chance to deal free hands to build trends.
- Supreme graphics and gameplay
- 98.95% RTP rate
- Choice of 12 baccarat tables
- No demo gameplay available
“Evolution is perhaps the best at producing games for live dealer casinos. Yet its first-person releases are just as impressive, uniting first-person gameplay with the live dealer setup. If you want, you can even choose to “Go Live”, transporting you from the first-person table to the live one.”
“Our award-winning First Person range combines the best of RNG and Live Casino gaming. Superior 3D rendering and animation deliver an immersive gaming experience, while each First Person game also features a unique ‘GO LIVE’ button that transports players directly to an Evolution Live Casino game via an in-game portal.”
Lightning Baccarat (Evolution)
Live dealer baccarat is a hugely popular way to play the game, especially with Lightning Baccarat release from Evolution. It also launched in 2020, providing a unique take on the classic card game. Its most impressive feature is the super-charged Lightning Card multipliers, which appear in each round. Each card has a random payout multiplier of up to 8x attached to it. The game takes place in a stunning black and gold Art Deco environment, too.
- Exciting lightning multipliers of up to 8x
- Fantastic high-definition game streaming
- Chance to be social with other players
- Lower than average RTP rate
“If there was ever a live version of baccarat to play, Lightning Baccarat from Evolution is the one. I love the high-definition game streaming and the exciting multiplier cards. I’m sure you will too, with the chance for massively multiplied payouts.”
“Adding multipliers and our Lightning theme on top of the most traditional game yet, Baccarat, was a natural next step in our Lightning family. Baccarat players love volatility and we are giving them all they can handle with Lightning Baccarat!”
Speed Baccarat (Pragmatic Play)
The speed baccarat game from Pragmatic Play is another live dealer release, proving that players love that physical casino feel. This variation enhances the traditional game, incorporating shortened betting times and swifter card dealing. Make sure you get your bets in with this high-energy version of the game. It also offers high-definition game streaming and multiple side bets to enjoy.
- Quick-paced betting rounds
- Fantastic visuals and audio
- 98.94% RTP rate
- No demo version available
“Pragmatic Play knows how to cater to avid baccarat fans, as this Speed Baccarat game shows. It’s a quick-paced version of the game, but it entertains in all the right ways. I love the side bets you can place, even if they’re not always to my benefit”
“Experience the thrill of our speed Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat titles – each offering an exciting twist on the classic game, designed for players in search of exhilarating, fast-paced gameplay.”
Mini Baccarat (Play’n GO)
Another simple version of baccarat, Play’n GO’s mini variation launched in 2012, making it one of the older games on this list. However, it has stood the test of time, thanks to its enjoyable visuals, serene background music and easy gameplay. It offers the standard betting options and incorporates an RTP rate of 98.76% to benefit from.
- Amazing RTP rate
- Easy to understand
- Excellent graphics
- Fewer decks involved
“If you want something slightly more challenging than Dragon Tiger, opt for mini baccarat. This Play’n GO slot release is one of the best of this version, uniting compelling visuals with the chance for great payouts.”
“Based upon the standard game rules and played with six decks of cards, the game offers all the features you might need, including a Bead Road scorecard. Mini Baccarat is a simple casino game, and the winner is decided based on who holds the value closest to the number 9.”
The Most Popular Baccarat Games Compared
Most Renowned Online Baccarat Game Developers
Next, we’re going to take a closer look at the most popular online baccarat game developers in the industry. We’ll highlight the key features that make each developer stand out, including their innovation, game quality, and reputation among players. You’ll also find out how many different baccarat games each provider offers. Each developer brings something unique to the gaming experience, so be sure to check the table below to discover which of these top providers might be the best fit for you.
Evolution is widely recognized as one of the leading developers in the live casino industry, known for consistently delivering top-tier quality across all its releases. Whether you’re enjoying their live baccarat games or the first-person variations, you’ll benefit from high-definition streaming and exciting, innovative gameplay options.
The largest software company in the world, it’s understandable that Playtech features various baccarat game options in its collection. The developer has both standard RNG and live dealer baccarat games on offer, giving players the best of both worlds. It also offers live baccarat in various languages.
Known primarily for its dedication to slot games, Pragmatic Play has also branched out into creating and releasing other options. This includes both standard and live versions of games, including baccarat. Its collection of these games may be limited for now, but the experience you have playing them is fantastic.
One of the lesser-known developers in this collection, iSoftBet also only has a few baccarat games in its collection, but these are some of the most entertaining. The developer uses inviting visuals and offers different variations of baccarat to keep players interested.
The NetEnt brand has been providing online games since the mid-90s, making it one of the longer-tenured brands on this list. It features over 10 versions of baccarat in its catalogue, all of which are RNG options. Even so, with its professional series, you can always expect high quality.
Baccarat Online Casino Bonuses and Promotions
When you join an online baccarat casino, you will likely also be able to claim special offers. These provide you with bonus funds that you are able to use on the baccarat games. Often, they begin with a welcome bonus for you as a new player and then advance as you continue depositing and playing.
Welcome bonuses, match bonuses, reload bonuses, cashback and others exist as some of the most popular casino promotions for baccarat players to claim. Yet before you receive any of them, it is vital that you read their terms and conditions. They include information about wagering requirements for bonuses – the number of times you need to wager the bonus before you can withdraw winnings.
With using bonus funds on baccarat, you may be restricted on the wagering contributions. Some casinos limit the amount of your bet that will contribute to completing them. This information should be highlighted in the T&Cs. Only once the wagering has been completed can you successfully request a withdrawal of your winnings from your chosen casino.
Here is some insight into the three most popular bonuses to receive at the best online baccarat casino sites.
Welcome Bonus
After you make a first deposit, you can usually receive a bonus that matches the amount you add to your account. This is often described as a percentage and has a maximum bonus value to it. Check the terms to see how much baccarat bets contribute to your wagering.
Reload Bonuses
As a regular player, you may be offered a bonus when you return to your casino account and make a deposit. When you reload your account with money, you also get a reload bonus on top. This can often be anything up to 100%, catering to loyal gamers rather than newcomers.
Cashback
Provided on your net losses over the week, cashback is money added to your account as real cash. It will be a percentage of around 10% of those losses and because it is cash money, you can either play baccarat with it or withdraw it instantly. That’s what makes it so appealing.
Playing Baccarat for Real Money vs Free Play
It’s always our advice to play baccarat for free before you risk your own money on it. This way, you can practice your bets, experience the game’s features and do it all with free demo money. Once you’re comfortable with it, then you can turn to the real money version.
You cannot win any payouts with the demo version, of course. Any wins come in demo money that can only be used for gameplay. Only when you play for real wagers will your wins be in money that can be withdrawn.
If there is a jackpot included in a baccarat game, the chances are that this won’t be something you can experience in demo mode, either. Yet the odds in both versions of the game will be exactly the same. So, achieving a win in the free play format of the game is precisely the same as achieving it for real money.
Those who are just starting out with baccarat games would benefit from the demo option. It eases you into the rules of the game and the features without risk. However, there are still risks with playing any gambling game this way. Make sure you maintain a responsible gambling outlook on online baccarat.
Real Money Baccarat
- Chance to win real payouts
- Potential for experiencing jackpots
- All features available
- Receive bonuses to use
- Live dealer baccarat is available
- Higher possibility of addiction
- Risk the chance of losing real money
Free Play
- Capability to practice baccarat
- Risk-free bets and game rounds
- Ideal for beginners
- Test gambling strategies
- Cannot win real money payouts
- No chance at jackpot wins
Rules, House Edge, and Best Practices
In baccarat, the rules are quite simple. You bet on the hand you think will be the winning one (totalling closest to 9) – the ‘Banker’ or the ‘Player’. Aces count as 1, cards 2-9 are their face value and 10s, jacks, queens and kings count as 0.
Two cards are dealt to both hands and totalled up. If the total of a hand exceeds 9, only the second number is considered. So, if a hand totals 11 with an 8 card and a 3, then it is valued as 1.
The best strategy for playing online baccarat is to wager on the ‘Banker’ hand and avoid wagering on tie outcomes. You should also ensure you always practice proper bankroll management. Betting on the ‘Banker’ hand comes with the lowest house edge at around 1.06%, which makes it more favourable. Tie bets do offer higher payouts, but the house edge is significantly higher as well, which makes them risky.
Make sure you avoid chasing any losses in baccarat, as in any online gambling game. This can lead to making rash betting choices. Going over your budget while playing baccarat is easy to do too, so you always need to ensure you’re following an appropriate betting system.
To find and play baccarat online, follow these simple steps:
Join an online casino site and register for an account.
After making your deposit, head over to the table games section in the lobby.
Find the baccarat game you want to play and click on it.
Set a wager and decide whether you want to bet on the ‘Banker’ or ‘Player’ option.
Wait for the cards to be dealt and see if you have won the bet.
Top Tips for Online Baccarat Gameplay
When it comes to playing baccarat online, there are several important elements of gameplay that you need to be familiar with in order to get the most out of your experience. Understanding the basic rules and betting options is just the beginning. There are also valuable tips and strategies you can follow to help avoid common mistakes that many new players make. To make things easier, we have put together a helpful guide filled with advice and insights for you to use whenever you decide to enjoy a game of baccarat online.
Use Bonuses
Take advantage of the bonus offers that allow you to play baccarat and maximize your chances of winning. These promotions can give you extra funds or free bets to enjoy the game even more. However, always make sure to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions before claiming any offer.
Don’t Bet on Tie
Avoiding the ‘Tie’ betting option is the best piece of advice for anyone playing baccarat. The house edge is significantly higher with it as tie outcomes don’t occur that often. Thus, you should stick with ‘Banker’ or ‘Player’ bets for the best chances.
Choose Reputable Casinos
There are many baccarat online casino sites but they’re not all reliable and trustworthy. Make sure you select a site that has a good reputation, such as those that we recommend signing up to. They will provide the best experience.
Use Low Bet Games for Practice
Take notice of the table limits in the game of baccarat you’re playing. Select one with lower table limits when you’re in practice mode. This way, you won’t be risking too much when testing strategies and betting systems out in real money mode.
Bet on the ‘Banker’
The ‘Banker’ bet is the best route to take, especially if you’re a newcomer to online baccarat. It has the lowest house edge of around 1.06%, meaning you stand to receive more back from the game in winnings than with any other wager.
Play in Demo Mode First
Always, always try a baccarat game in free play demo mode before deciding to play for real. This way, you can test the different bets out, see how the game plays out, try some strategies and see what works for you without risking your own money.
Responsible Gambling and Safety
The best baccarat online casinos promote responsible gambling on games. That’s why we recommend joining one of the suggested casinos in this guide. Each of them comes with responsible gambling advice and tools to use.
This includes the chance to set deposit limits on your account, as well as setting gameplay time limits and betting limits. Some of them also offer reality checks, keeping you informed of how long you’ve been playing and how much you have spent on the games. Beyond this, a top casino should also give you the chance to opt for a time out or self-exclude.
Problem gambling is something that can affect anyone, so it’s good to know what the signs of it are. If you notice that you’re not playing the games for fun anymore, if you start chasing your losses and if you start spending money that you can’t afford to on baccarat, it’s time to seek help. Also, symptoms like hiding your gaming from friends and family or taking money for gambling that isn’t yours stand out.
If you need help with your gambling problems, then there are resources and organisations you can turn to for this. The international organisation, Gamblers Anonymous provides an excellent resource for finding meetings and help in your area. You can also seek help from the GamCare organisation, offering support for anyone affected by gambling addiction.
References
- Gamblers Anonymous – A global organisation providing an excellent resource for locating anonymous meetings in your area and extra help with addiction.
- Rules of Punto Banco – Details of the rules behind Punto Banco, as provided in a PDF document by the UK Gambling Commission in 2011.
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) - is a regulatory body that licenses, monitors, and ensures fair, safe online gambling operations globally.
- eCOGRA - an independent testing agency that certifies online casino games for fairness, player protection, and responsible gambling practices.
FAQ
How to Play Baccarat Online?
You will need to join a baccarat online casino and then make a deposit into your account. Navigate to the game lobby and search for all the baccarat titles to find one you want to play.
Can I Play Baccarat Online for Real Money?
Yes, you can play online baccarat for real money bets and win real money payouts from it. If you want to try a baccarat game first, then we recommend playing in demo mode.
What Online Casino Is Best for Baccarat?
There are many online casinos providing high-quality baccarat options to players. Browse through our selection of recommended casino sites to join one of the best and most trustworthy platforms.
Does Baccarat Take Any Skill?
Baccarat is largely a game of chance, although it depends upon the version you play. Options like Chemin de fer do incorporate a certain element of skill.
Is There a Trick to Baccarat?
There are no tricks in specific towards playing the game and winning. You need to remember to use a responsible betting strategy. Our advice is also to stick with wagering on the ‘Banker’ option.
Should You Always Bet ‘Banker’ in Baccarat?
The ‘Banker’ betting option in baccarat is the most ideal to select because it has the lowest house edge at around 1.06%. Therefore, you’re giving yourself more chance to win with a bet like this.
What Is the Highest Winning Hand in Baccarat?
Nine is the highest hand that the ‘Banker’ or ‘Player’ sections can have, as 10 value cards have zero value in baccarat.