Complete Online Baccarat Guide

How to Play Baccarat Online: The Basics

Baccarat is one of the popular card games that has seamlessly transitioned into the online casino world. Baccarat is preferred by many online casino goers because of its high return to player (RTP) rate of 98.94%. 

The goal of online baccarat involves betting on the outcome of a hand between the player and the banker to have a total value closest to nine or if the hands will tie. Baccarat is played with specific rules determining if a third card will be dealt to each hand. The winning hand is the one that get closest to, but doesn’t exceed, a total value of nine.

Baccarat Rules

Baccarat has pretty straightforward rules which contributed to its popularity. Baccarat is usually played using a six or eight deck shoe and can have more than one bettor but the gameplay is between one player and the banker. Before cards are dealt, all bettors have the option to place bets on either the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie.

In baccarat, cards 2-9 are worth face value, 10s and face cards are worth zero and aces are worth one point. The total for each hand is calculated by adding the values of two cards. If the total is a two-digit number, only the second digit counts. For example, a hand of 4 and 9 is worth 3 in baccarat.

Here is how a game of online baccarat plays out step by step:

The third card rule can be difficult for new baccarat players. The chart below will help you know when the banker must draw or stand:

Baccarat Wagers:

Baccarat offers simple betting options, which adds to its appeal. Online baccarat has low house edge and minimal difference in advantage between the banker and the players. The most common baccarat wagers are:

• Banker Bet: The banker’s hand is closest to nine. 
• Player Bet: The player’s hand is closest to nine. 
• Tie Bet: The banker and the players hand value are equal. 

Online baccarat offers interesting side betting opportunities as well. These bets usually offer higher payouts with lower odds and higher house edge. Here are the most popular side bets in online baccarat:

How to Win Baccarat:

Winning at online baccarat involves a combination of luck and keen decision making. It is important to be familiar with the rules of baccarat and the betting options to have a chance of winning more frequently. There is no definitive way to win at baccarat or gain an edge, but there are a few tips you can apply to your gameplay to increase your chances of success: 

• Betting on the banker is better on the long run. The banker bet has the lowest house edge with 1.06%.
• Avoid betting on a tie. The house edge on the tie bet is 14%, which is significantly higher than the banker bet.
• Don’t dabble on the side bets. Side bets usually have a higher house edge with lower odds
• Play online baccarat games with smaller shoes. A six-deck baccarat game will reduce the house edge by 0.50%.

Some people will swear by betting systems and baccarat pattern systems but at the end of the day, online baccarat is a game of chance just like every other casino game. Managing your bankroll effectively and having a realistic approach is key to an enjoyable online baccarat experience.

Ways to Play Baccarat Online

There are many ways to play online baccarat. Here are the most popular versions of baccarat you can find at online casino sites:

Best Baccarat Online Casinos

It might be hard to choose a good baccarat casino in the vast sea of online casinos. We have reviewed and ranked the best baccarat online casinos on what they do best to ensure you find an online casino that suits your needs.

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Best Baccarat Casino Overall

Wild Casino

250% up to $1,000 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps +6 more Keno, Live dealer, Progressive jackpot, Roulette, Slots, Video poker.

Live Dealer: Yes

Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express +8 more Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Ethereum, Litecoin, Money Order, Bank Transfer, Check, Person2Person Transfers.

Wild Casino really comes out as the king of the jungle with their gigantic crypto bonus, diverse selection of games, and their exceptional customer support. They’ve been a leader in the gambling scene since 2018.

• Collect up to $5,000 on your first five deposits
• Two live dealer casino studios
• User-friendly website with a modern design
• Reputable sister sites
• Multiple banking options, including crypto

• Fees for certain withdrawals
• Unorganized slots section with no filters

Best for Classic Baccarat

Cafe Casino

250% up to $1,500 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Slots, Blackjack, Roulette +7 more Baccarat, Craps, Live dealer, Progressive jackpot, Video poker, Keno, Arcade.

Live Dealer: No

Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express +7 more American Express, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Check, Bankwire.

Despite only having opened in 2016, Cafe Casino has already outpaced more experienced gambling sites with their massive welcome bonus and unique, user-friendly layout. You can find all kinds of slots and table games at Cafe Casino.

• 350% Crypto Welcome Bonus of up to $2,500
• Hot Drops Jackpots Available
• 8-Tiered VIP Program
• More than 170 casino games available

• High rollover requirements of 40x deposit + bonus
• Not available in Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, New York

Best Online Baccarat Casino for Beginners

BetUS

125% up to $2,625 Welcome Bonus

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Casino Games: Blackjack, Slots, Video poker +2 more Roulette, Baccarat.

Live Dealer: Yes

Payment Options: Visa, MasterCard, American Express +7 more American Express, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bank Transfer, Bankwire, Check.

BetUS is one of the oldest gambling sites out there, having opened their virtual doors in 1994. They are a good choice if you’re looking for a well-rounded, reliable online casino, sportsbook, and racebook.

• Several different welcome bonus options including a 200% crypto bonus
• 300+ casino games, including slots and live-dealer
• Sports Betting options include: pro football, college football, live betting and more
• Same-day payouts up to $5000

• Limited time (14 days) to clear bonus playthrough requirements
• Money you wager on casino games does not count towards the loyalty program
• BetUS is not available in Washington state

Comparing Online Baccarat Casinos

Here is a brief comparison between our top online baccarat casino picks:

How We Evaluate Online Baccarat Casinos

Evaluating online baccarat casinos is a lengthy process our experts conduct with the utmost care. Our goal is to recommend the best online baccarat casinos possible out there to ensure you get the finest online baccarat experience. If you would like to have a more in depth look into our evaluation process, visit our how we rank page.

Here is a brief look at some of the specific criteria we consider when evaluating baccarat casinos:

Flexible wagering limits on Baccarat

A great online baccarat casino needs to offer flexible wagering limits fitting the bankrolls of both high rollers and low-stakes players.

High-quality software providers

It is essential that an online casino partners with the best software providers to offer the highest quality baccarat games.

Generous bonuses and promotions

Bonuses and promotions are what makes an online casino interesting, we make sure to recommend the casinos with the most generous bonuses and promotions. We also take great care reading in between the lines to confirm there are no unfair terms and conditions.

Helpful customer service

Our experts run quality control tests to ensure the customer service impeccable in delivering fast and helpful responses.

Responsible Gambling

Gambling on baccarat is a fun hobby that can quickly turn into an addiction, like any other form of betting. The thrill of winning and the adrenaline rush from high-stakes bets can lead to compulsive behaviors such as chasing losses and exceeding the bankroll set prior. It is important to recognize the signs of gambling addiction to take adequate measures. On our gambling addiction page, you can learn more about identifying the early signs and find resources for gambling addiction.

If you’re struggling with gambling addiction, these resources are here to help:

• National Problem Gambling Helpline – Phone line and mobile text and chat services. Available in all 50 states, Canada, and the Virgin Islands. 1-800-522-4700
• Gamblers Anonymous – This national organization helps people connect with local GA groups or virtual meetings. Use their hotline directory to find a hotline in your state.
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline – This helpline is run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and can help connect you to local treatment, support groups, and other community organizations. 1-800-487-4889. 

Summary

Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games, albeit not as popular as online blackjack or poker. In this comprehensive guide tailored to both beginners and casual players, we explored how to play baccarat online step by step, the intricate rules of baccarat, the various wagers you can make and how to actually win at baccarat.

This guide aims to highlight the most popular variations of online baccarat and recommend the best baccarat online casinos for the finest online baccarat experience. All the sites we have recommended offer top-notch online baccarat games suitable for beginners and players with diverse bankrolls.