Baccarat is a card game where the “player” hand is up against the “dealer” hand. The object is to predict the result of a hand, with the possible results being a player win, dealer win, or a tie. When playing baccarat's “punto banco” format, your actions after the initial deal are predetermined by a set of rules.
Baccarat is quite a simple card game once you get the hang of the rules. The game is dealt from a shoe, which will hold either six or eight decks of cards. Then, bets are placed on a win for the banker's hand, player's hand or a draw. The house dealer will then deal the banker's hand and the player's hand.
There is some variation in the amount paid on winning bets in baccarat. For example, on banker or player hands these are paid 1:1, but sometimes there is commission payable on bank bets. This commission varies from casino to casino. Tie bets are also variable at different casinos, but are usually paid 8:1 or 9:1.
In baccarat, the value of each hand is counted by adding the value of its cards together. Whilst some cards count as zero (10s and picture cards), the others are determined by the card's number of pips. These are all added up and they last digit of the total number then becomes the value of the hand. So, all hands are value 0-9 in baccarat.
Other rules apply specifically to the player or banker's hands. For example, the player must stand if their first two cards total six or more. If they equal five or less, the player will be required to draw another card. The banker will need to stand if their first two cards total seven or more. If the banker's first two cards equal 0, 1 or 2 they will draw an additional card. If the value is anywhere in between these two scenarios, the banker's next action is decided by whether or not the player drew.
When you're online baccarat gambling you can bet on three possible outcomes – a win for the player, a win for the dealer or a tie. You're going on gut instinct so it's a game of chance, but remember that the most unlikely bet is always a tie. Some top baccarat players avoid betting on the tie altogether.
That leaves the dealer hand and the banker hand to bet on. The house edge is always slightly higher for player hand bets, so if you're playing the numbers you'll probably stick with betting on the banker hand.
There are several different varieties of online baccarat games, each of which has its own specific odds and bets. Here are three popular Baccarat variations:
Punto Banco is an online baccarat game where your actions are always determined by the “tableau”, which sets out the drawing rules. In this game, the house edge if Banco wins is 1.06%, and if Punto wins it's 1.24%.
In this version of Baccarat, the player gets to decide on whether they draw a card or not after the initial deal. The banker is then changed each time they lose a hand. Players work together on the same hand. The odds are in favour of the bank in this game. The house edge is never lower than 1%.
When playing Baccarat Banque, the banker stays in their role regardless of whether they win or lose a hand. Just as in Chemin de Fer, this version of baccarat has a house edge of 1% or more, with odds in favour of the bank.
Baccarat is one of those classic gambling games which happens to work brilliantly online. And that's great news for us, because online gambling has so many advantages over traditional casino gambling. Players love the excitement of baccarat gambling. You never know what to expect and the buzz as you wait for the hands to be revealed really gets the juices flowing. Here are just a few of the perks of playing baccarat online.
Gambling.ca is your definitive guide to the very best online gambling websites and apps. Our expert team know all there is to know about the top baccarat websites, and we're here to bring you great tips to help you make the most of your online gambling experience. Here are a few things we always take into consideration before recommending websites to Canadian players.
Game Variety - Variety is hugely important to our researchers, because we know it's hugely important to Canadian gamblers! Even if you're only after baccarat sites, you'll likely want to try out a few different varieties. So, our team have picked the sites with the best game variety to keep your attention and provide all the excitement of a real casino.
Fast Payouts - It's easy to see a game you like and immediately get stuck in without taking the time to check out those all-important terms and conditions. One of the most crucial parts of any online gambling site is its payouts - a site with slow payouts can be so frustrating when you win. Our recommended sites payout quickly so you can concentrate on celebrating!
Security - Security and safety are key when gambling online, so all our sites are thoroughly researched and vetted to ensure we keep you safe. Remember, there are so many fake gambling sites out there, it's easy to fall into the trap. Stick to our top rated sites and you're ensured a safe online experience.
So, you've read our guide and checked out some of our top rated Baccarat online gambling sites. What's next? A good beginner's strategy for baccarat is to start out with free play Baccarat action at one of the best sites. That way you get a full understanding of the mechanics before you start dropping those Canadian dollars at the virtual tables.
Once you get playing for real, it's smart to start out at a low stake level and keep your bets relatively conservative. Betting on the bank hand is a nice and safe approach when you get started. Remember, if you're just beginning to play baccarat online it's always worth taking a look at the terms and conditions of your chosen site. Make sure you go for one offering fast payouts, with a focus on responsible gambling.
Yes, online baccarat games offer the same chances to win real money as they would in a casino.
Follow our links to the top baccarat gambling online destinations and you'll quickly find the top games to play. There are plenty of baccarat formats available at the sites we've highlighted – some traditional ones, some clever variations on a theme.
Online baccarat ticks all the boxes when it comes to a great gambling experience. You might not get the atmosphere you'll find on a Vegas casino floor, but the buzz is the same and you can play anywhere you like on desktop, smartphone or tablet.
Yes. Baccarat is a big deal in Canada, which may have something to do with the game's origins in France!
Baccarat is known as a high-roller game on casino floors, and you can certainly win big amounts if you play VIP games online. What you win ultimately comes down to the stake and the odds of your bet, but wins in the hundreds and thousands are very much possible.
Yes, online baccarat gambling is safe, as long as you stick to our recommended safe websites. There are always fears that online gambling games are rigged, but you need not worry with the sites we've highlighted. These licensed sites all run on error-proof software that keeps things completely fair. Stray from the sites we've recommended though and we can't guarantee that your money will be safe, it's always worth being cautious when gambling online.
Professional baccarat gambling is more common than you might think. As there's an element of skill involved in the game, it's possible to become quite successful playing it. That's why it's known as a game for High Rollers.