Looking for an Online Casino Game with a bit of Glitz and Glam? Read our Guide to Playing at a Baccarat Casino Online
Baccarat used to be played solely by the rich and famous, with games taking place at the glitziest of venues, and players shielded from the riff-raff by a gilded rope. Things have moved on in a big way for this high-roller game and it’s now possible for anyone to play casino online baccarat. There’s no need to get dressed up in a designer gown or tuxedo. You can play in your pyjamas if you want to, from the comfort of your own home. The rise of the online casino has brought the game of baccarat to the masses and thousands have come to realise this is a game that’s a lot of fun. Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games that’s still enjoyed by players today. So before we look at how to play the game and other useful information let’s give you all a little history lesson.
Baccarat – one of the oldest casino games still being played today
It’s believed that baccarat originated in the late 15th century and was a game first popularised in France. When it was first played it was known by a different name, Chemin de Fer. The French nobility of the time loved the game but there was little opportunity for ordinary people to play the game because printing playing cards was very expensive and thereby out of reach of the common man. It wasn’t until the 19th century, during the reign of King Louis Phillip, that the game became more accessible. But in 1837, playing cards for money was made illegal, which meant the game was played underground. The game also became more popular across all social classes thanks to the increase of printing possibilities. Even though it was being played by all levels of society it somehow managed to retain it’s regal connotations and still does today. The game made its way across the Atlantic to America thanks to European immigrants and another variant was developed, known as Punto Banco. It was famous in the casinos in Mar Del Plata in Argentina and can still be played in many land-based casinos as well as online baccarat casinos. From Argentina it made its way to the casinos in Las Vegas and was added to the range of games along with craps and blackjack. Once it had made its way to the land-based casinos and its popularity increased it was pretty obvious it would be added to the list of games played at the average online casino.
An insight into the game of online casino baccarat
There’s nothing overly complicated about playing baccarat online. In fact, it’s a relatively simple game to play, but when you first sit down at the table it may be a little confusing. The number of cards being dealt and the way in which they are added can be a trifle confusing to the uneducated eye. But don’t stress, because it’s actually easier to learn than blackjack. The aim in blackjack is to hit 21, whereas in baccarat it’s 9. The difference being, and this is what makes it more interesting, is that you can’t bust like you can in blackjack. Make the wrong decision in blackjack and you can bust, even if the dealer had the most awful hand that you could have beaten. In baccarat this isn’t the case. Before you start to play you have to decide whether you want to bet on the Bank or the Player. You have to decide which hand you think will win. Once you’ve decided both hands are dealt two cards, face up. When you’re playing at a baccarat online casino for real money you can receive a total of three cards. But it depends on the hand total as to whether a third card is dealt. If you’ve got a 0 through to a 5, a third card will be dealt. If the hand has 6 or 7 there won’t be a third card dealt. If the hand is 8 or 9 then it’s a winning hand. We can already hear some of you shouting, “How can you have a 0 hand?” face value cards and tens are worth 0, and any hand that takes you above 9 will automatically reset down to zero. Let’s explain a little further. Imagine a 5 is dealt followed by an eight. This might total 13 but for the purposes of baccarat it will mean the hand is 3.
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The rules for playing casino baccarat online
To help you make the decision of whether to bet on the player or the bank, we’ve compiled the basic rules you need to know as this will help you to understand what’s happening every time a card is dealt:
- A typical online baccarat game is played using a 6-deck or an 8-deck shoe
- The value of face cards and tens are 0
- An ace is valued at 1 not 11
- There is no relevance to the suit
- Go over 9 in a hand and it will be reset back to 0, as baccarat is a single digit game
- If a third card is dealt the player and dealer stand on different hands, depending on what the player was dealt
| Bank’s hand | Bank’s move |
|---|---|
| 2 or less | A third card is taken |
| 3 | A third card is taken, unless the player’s third card dealt was an 8 |
| 4 | A third card is taken, unless the player’s third card dealt was a 0,1,8 or 9 |
| 5 | A third card is taken, unless the player’s third card dealt was a 4,5,6 or 7 |
| 6 | A third card is taken, unless the player’s third card dealt was a 6 or 8 |
| 7 | No third card is taken |
With the rules clearly explained let’s take a look at the different games you can play at the best online baccarat casino.
The best baccarat online casino will offer the game in a number of guises
The game of baccarat has an interesting history and as a result there are a number of types of baccarat game that have emerged. The same rules tend to apply but as the game has been played in different countries, slightly different drawing rules and player interactions have developed. The best baccarat online casinos will offer a combination of different variants, so let’s introduce those you’re most likely to find.
Punto Banco
The is the most common variation and can be found at a large number of online casinos as well as being very popular in land-based casinos in the US, Canada and Australia. In this game the casino acts as the bank and the game follows the usual baccarat rules.
Chemin de Fer
This is the more popular version at European casinos and differs from Punto Banco in a number of ways. In this version the players do all the dealing and the role of the banker moves around the table. Another difference is that each player has the option of standing or taking another card if their hand total is five.
Baccarat en Banque
This is another European version of the game and tends to be played with three decks of cards. The role of the banker is auctioned off to the player willing to take the biggest risk. Drawing rules tend to vary, depending on where you play but are similar to Chemin de Fer.
Super Pan 9
This is a version of the game that is played primarily in the US. The game uses a limited deck of 36 cards, all of which are face cards and ace, 2,3,4,5 and 6. Both the banker and player are dealt three cards at the beginning and can choose to draw one more in order to get as close to 9 as possible.
Three card baccarat
This is a popular game in Asian and Macau casinos and only one deck of cards is used. The rules are very different and both the player and banker are dealt three cards. The best hand is three face cards, followed by the usual hand rankings.
With so many different games to choose from you might be wondering whether there are any benefits to playing online. So let’s lay them out for you to help you decide whether you want to play online casino baccarat.
The pros and cons of playing at a baccarat casino online
For those of you considering playing at an online baccarat casino we thought we’d help in the decision making process by looking at the pros and cons of playing online as opposed to a land-based casino.
- It’s simple to learn – it only takes a few minutes to learn and playing online provides you with lots of opportunities to learn more about the game before you risk playing with real money
- The house edge is low – you get a little more bang for your buck if you play online baccarat as it’s a game with a lower casino edge. Which means on average you’ll lose less per hand
- There are bonuses to take advantage of – there aren’t too many land-based casino that provide players with bonuses that can be played on a variety of casino games including baccarat
- Play from home or on the move – enjoy a game or two whenever and wherever you want to
- Lack of atmosphere – baccarat has historically been a social game and this is lacking with the online experience, although things are improving with the advent of live dealer casino baccarat games
- High wagering requirements – if you decide to take advantage of an online casino bonus make sure you factor the wagering requirements into your decision making process, as they can be a rather painful sting in the tail
How about we finish up with a few tips and tricks to help you play baccarat like a pro.
Tips to help you play online baccarat like a pro
As with a lot of casino games, the outcome of the game is very random and there’s very little you can do to influence the cards that are dealt or the slot a ball lands in. But there are some useful tips and tricks we’d like to share that will improve your chances of winning. When you play real money baccarat online you’re betting on the bank or the player to win. But how do you decide where you should risk your chips? One simple strategy is to follow the shoe and could help to yield better results. You’ll need to watch a few hands and take note of who won as well as look for betting patterns. Then simply place your bet whichever fits your betting pattern the best. This strategy is based on the premise that winnings tend to happen in clumps. But don’t forget that the game of baccarat is truly random and this strategy is really only guidance if you’re a bit stumped about where to place your chips. One option you’re given when you play baccarat for real money is that you can bet on a tie. It might seem like a really good opportunity as you could get paid out 9:1 if the two hands tie. Imagine you bet $50, this will mean you win $450 if a tie comes up. But we’ve got to be honest and tell you that a tie rarely happens. There you have it, all you need to know if you want to try your hand at James Bond’s favourite game. There are a number of different variants you can choose to play, none of which are overly complicated. It’s got a reputation for being a high roller game, but this isn’t the case if you choose to play casino baccarat online. There are plenty of top rated online casinos that offer this game so why not give it a go, because we think you’ll have lots of fun and enjoyment.