Ultimate Guide to Online Baccarat

How to Play Baccarat

The goal in baccarat is not to build your own hand, but simply to bet on which of two hands—the Player or the Banker—will have a total value closest to 9. You can also bet on a Tie.

Card Values

• Aces: Are worth 1 point.
• Cards 2-9: Are worth their face value.
• 10s, Jacks, Queens, Kings: Are worth 0 points.

If the total of a hand is a two-digit number, only the second digit is counted. For example, a hand of 7 and 8 totals 15, which counts as 5 in baccarat.

The Gameplay Flow

1. Place Your Bet: Choose to bet on the Player, Banker, or a Tie.
2. The Deal: The dealer gives two cards each to the Player and Banker hands.
3. Drawing Rules: Based on a fixed set of rules (the "tableau"), a third card may be drawn for either hand. As a player, you don't need to make any decisions here; the dealer handles it all.
4. The Result: The hand with a total closest to 9 wins.

The History of Baccarat

Baccarat boasts a rich history dating back to 15th-century Italy, where it was invented by a gambler named Felix Falguiere. The name "baccara" is Italian for zero, referencing the fact that all tens and face cards are worth zero. The game was later adopted by the French aristocracy, becoming a favorite in the court of King Charles VIII. It was in France that the game split into its main variants: Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque. The version most commonly played today, Punto Banco, was developed in Cuba and introduced to Las Vegas in the 1950s.

When did baccarat appear at online casinos?

Baccarat was one of the first table games to be offered by the pioneering online casinos of the mid-1990s. As soon as the first casino software was developed by companies like Microgaming in 1994, simple, digital versions of classic games like Baccarat, Blackjack, and Roulette became available. These early versions were basic, but they laid the groundwork for the sophisticated RNG and live dealer games we enjoy today.

Baccarat Variations

• Punto Banco: This is the standard version you'll find in most online casinos. The casino banks the game at all times, and the gameplay is dictated by fixed drawing rules.
• Chemin de Fer: A version popular in French casinos where players bet against each other, and the role of the bank rotates around the table. This is the version famously played by James Bond.
• Baccarat Banque: Similar to Chemin de Fer, but the role of the banker is more permanent.

Live Dealer vs. RNG Baccarat

RNG Baccarat is the standard online version, where the game's outcome is determined by a computer algorithm. It's fast, accessible, and great for learning the rules. Live Dealer Baccarat, on the other hand, uses a real human dealer with physical cards, streamed to your screen in real-time. It offers a more immersive and authentic casino experience, complete with real-time interaction and elaborate studio settings.

Bets, Payouts, and House Edge

Understanding the three main bets is key to playing baccarat smartly.

• The Banker Bet: Has the lowest house edge (1.06%). It pays out 1:1, but the casino takes a 5% commission on all winning Banker bets. This is statistically the best bet to make over time.
• The Player Bet: Has a slightly higher house edge (1.24%). It pays out a straightforward 1:1 with no commission.
• The Tie Bet: This is a high-risk bet on both hands having the same total. While it offers an attractive payout of 8:1 or 9:1, it comes with a very high house edge (over 14%). Experienced players almost always avoid the Tie bet.

Strategy and Tips for Baccarat

Baccarat is a game of luck, not skill. There are no decisions to make after you've placed your bet, so complex strategies are ineffective. The best "strategy" is to make the bet with the lowest house edge.

• Always Bet on the Banker: The Banker bet has the best odds of winning, even with the 5% commission. It's the smartest bet in the long run.
• Avoid the Tie Bet: The high house edge makes the Tie bet a poor choice for serious players.
• Manage Your Bankroll: Decide on a budget before you play and stick to it. Baccarat can be fast-paced, so be mindful of your spending.
• Don't Follow Patterns: Online casinos often display a history of previous results. While this can be interesting to look at, remember that each hand is an independent event. There is no such thing as a "streak" that can be reliably predicted.