Online Baccarat variations
Want to elevate your online casino experience? Add a little style and sophistication to your game? Then you’re looking for online Baccarat. The casino classic that’s all about simplicity, elegance, and a low house edge.
Originally known as the ultimate high roller game, today online Baccarat has become accessible to an even wider player base. Thanks to the availability of online gambling. Now there’s no need to have a huge bankroll or visit private rooms to play. Instead you can log on and place your bets. No matter how advanced your skills or how big your bankroll.
Even better, you’ll find an entire range of online Baccarat variations to play. From the traditional classic game to exhilarating versions like Chemin de Fer, live dealer Baccarat and more. So whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced player. Someone who plays with caution or someone who thrives on risk. You’re sure to find the version that suits you best. Come with us as we take a look at the different varieties of Baccarat available online. And let’s get you started with the king of casino games!
How to play classic online Baccarat
If you’ve heard of Punto Banco before, then you’ve heard of Baccarat – two different names, the same glamorous game. Want to try your hand at online Baccarat? Then the classic version is the best place to start. You’ll be able to learn the rules and foundational skills needed first, and then build on them with different variations as you gain experience and confidence.
The underlying concept of classic Baccarat is all about predicting outcomes. At the start of every game, you’ll have three betting choices to make. Will you bet on the Player or the Banker hand to win, or will you bet on there being a Tie between them?
That’s the only decision you need to make. And once you’ve placed your bet, that’s where your involvement ends. The house will take care of the rest. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the game!
Here’s how online Baccarat works:
At the start of a game of online Baccarat, you’ll choose to place your bet on either the Player. The Banker or a Tie.
>The dealer will then deal two cards faceup to each of the Player and Banker hands.
lass=”yoast-text-mark” />>The ultimate goal of Baccarat is to get a card hand value as close to 9 as possible.
>Unlike Blackjack where cards are worth their face value, in Baccarat, Aces count as 1, face cards and 10s count as zero, and all other cards retain their face value.
You can’t exceed 9 cards
Additionally, any card hand that exceeds a total of 9 will only have its last digit counted as the total – so if a card hand is valued at 14, the 1 will fall away, and the hand will be worth 4.
Once you’ve placed your bet, your wager is final, and you won’t need to make any more betting decisions during the game.
If the hand you’ve bet on (Player, Banker or Tie) turns out to be the winner, then congratulations. You’ll have won the game!
As you can see, classic online Baccarat is a game of chance.
Guessing ahead of time which outcome you think is most likely to take place, and then watching as the game unfolds. However, even though there’s no skill involved, there’s still an opportunity for you to protect your bankroll by looking at the house edge of each Baccarat bet:
Banker: 1.06%
Player: 1.24%
Tie: 14.4%
The numbers make it clear: betting on the Banker hand gives you the best odds by far, with a wager on the Player hand coming in a close second. You can still bet on a Tie if you like, just bear in mind that losing the bet could be expensive – it’s all about how much risk you’re willing to assume.
So that’s classic Baccarat in a nutshell – easy, fast-paced and exhilarating too. Don’t get comfy though – we’re about to move onto different variations and different styles of play. It only gets better!
Popular online Baccarat variations
1. Chemin de Fer
If you prefer being more involved in the game as you play, Chemin de Fer is probably a better fit for you than traditional online Baccarat. As one of the oldest versions of the game (and a favourite of James Bond’s), Chemin de Fer’s popularity rests on its interactivity, allowing players to become part of the game, rather than leaving the order of play up to the house.
Here’s how it works:
An auction is first held to determine which player will represent the Banker position. Typically, this goes to the person who places the highest bet. In regular online Chemin de Fer, the casino will play as the Banker, however in live dealer Chemin de Fer, a player will act as the Banker, as they would in a land-based game.
Once someone takes on the role of Banker, the other players place their bets against them, wagering amounts that are equal to or less than the Banker’s stake. The player who places the highest bet against the Banker becomes the Player—this is how hands are determined in Chemin de Fer.
You get dealt 2 cards
Two cards are then dealt to both the Player and the Banker. If the Player’s hand totals 5 or less, they can choose to receive a third card. If their hand totals 6 or 7, they will have to stand.
The Banker will then be able to look at the Player’s hand, and judge whether or not they would like to receive a third card as well.
After players make their decisions, the hand with the value closest to 9 wins. The dealer pays out bets based on the results, and the role of Banker may rotate to another player.
While Chemin de Fer does rely on the luck of the draw, it also incorporates a strategic element, with the decision of whether or not to take a third card. It’s here where experience and smart decision-making come into play, giving players more control over the outcome and reducing the house edge too. So if you like your Baccarat social with a side of competitiveness for added thrills, Chemin de Fer might just be the game for you!
2. Baccarat Banque
If you’re intrigued by the idea of playing as the Banker in online Baccarat, check out Baccarat Banque—a version that gives you that role, but with a few key twists. And like Chemin de Fer, it allows a player to represent the Banker, but keeps the position fixed on one player, rather than rotating it. More than this, it offers three hands rather than two, giving players more betting options and more opportunities to win.
Here’s how it works:
Before the game begins, a player is chosen to represent the Banker position. This is usually the player with the highest bet. This player will then remain as the Banker for an extended period of time in online Baccarat. Usually until they reach their spending limit, or they step down voluntarily.
>Once the Banker has been chosen, the rest of the players place their bets, this time on not one, but two Player hands – one on the left and one on the right.
Chemin de fer
Once the dealer deals the cards to the Player and Banker hands, the Player hand follows the same third-card drawing rules as in Chemin de Fer—if the hand totals 5 or less, the Player can draw a third card.
values of 6 or 7 must stand.
The Banker can then choose whether or not to add a third card to their hand.
If either of the Player hands win, the players who bet on the correct hand will be paid out accordingly. If both hands lose, the win goes to the Banker.
Why play Baccarat Banque? More control as the Banker, more betting options as the Player. Either way, there’s more strategy involved, which means more anticipation and more excitement too – both key elements in a successful game of Baccarat!
3. Mini Baccarat
Want to get into Baccarat on a simpler level? Mini Baccarat is the perfect choice. This faster, more streamlined version of the game comes with lower stakes and takes place at a Blackjack-sized table. The smaller setup speeds up the action and ramps up the excitement!
Here’s how it works:
As far as rules go, Mini Baccarat works exactly the same way as classic Baccarat, just on a smaller scale.
>It’s this scaled-down treatment that gives Mini Baccarat the edge, with fewer players round a smaller table, and the dealer taking care of all the cards to speed up game play.
Having fewer players allows for faster progress through the game, which adds to the game’s excitement.
Even better, the betting limits are lower, making Mini Baccarat an ideal choice for beginners or casual players.
So if you like the idea of Baccarat but want to start small, start mini instead and give your game play a boost of energy!
4. Speed Baccarat
Mini Baccarat, but make it faster! If you like your gaming fast-paced and action-packed then we’ve got a Baccarat version that overtakes even Mini Baccarat. It’s called Speed Baccarat, and everything you need to know about it is right there in the name!
Here’s how it works:
Speed Baccarat is a type of online Baccarat that follows the same rules as classic Baccarat. But with a shorter betting window and quicker card reveals.
In this version, each round lasts just 27 seconds, rather than the usual 48 seconds.
It’s quick, it’s fast-paced, and it’s just the kind of high-energy game you’re looking for! With Speed Baccarat games taking half the time of regular ones, you can effectively double the number of hands you play per hour, giving you twice the betting opportunities.
While this makes it perfect for experienced players and high rollers, if you’re someone who needs to keep a close eye on your bankroll, you might want to stick to a more relaxed game that gives you more time between bets. If it’s pure action you’re after though, get ready – Speed Baccarat is coming your way fast!
5. Live dealer Baccarat
If you’re looking for a game that bridges the gap between online and land-based play, try live dealer Baccarat—where real players join in real time and a real-life croupier manages every aspect of the game.
Here’s how it works:
While regular online Baccarat games run in a digital casino setting, live dealer Baccarat happens in a real casino with actual dealers. The action streams directly to your laptop or mobile device in real time.
Thanks to a handy chat function, you’ll be able to communicate with the dealer and with other players instantly. Giving you a more authentic, immersive gaming experience.
With an actual dealer managing the game, you’ll have the feel of a real casino right at your fingertips. The added convenience of online accessibility.
A number of live dealer Baccarat versions to choose from, depending on your online casino, you’ll have your pick of thrilling live-action games ready and waiting for you to enjoy. So if you’re someone who enjoys the social aspect of gambling. And appreciates the flexibility of digital play, live dealer Baccarat gives you the best of both worlds!
Online Baccarat side bets
Want to enhance your online Baccarat experience even more? Many online Baccarat games offer a variety of side bets and special features to add to the excitement, such as:
Dragon bonus – This is a bonus that will pay out if either the Player or Banker hand wins by a large margin, usually at least 4 points. The bigger the margin, the higher the payout.
Pair bets – Here you’ll be able to bet on whether the first two cards will be a matching pair. Common pair bets include Player pairs, Banker pairs, and a perfect pair (a special bet that pays higher odds if the pair consists of identical suits).
Big and small bets
A side bet where you’ll be able to wager on the total number of cards used in a round. A big bet will win if the round uses 5 or 6 cards, while a small bet will win if the round uses 4 cards only (meaning no third cards are drawn).
Progressive jackpots – Just because you’re playing Baccarat doesn’t mean you can’t get in on a progressive jackpot! Some online Baccarat games offer progressive jackpots that players can trigger by placing side bets on specific winning hands, a streak of consecutive wins, or rare events like four-of-a-kind hands appearing across multiple rounds.
While taking a side bet can give you additional opportunities to win, it’s worth mentioning that they often come with a higher house edge too – so if you do take any side bets, make sure you can afford them first.
How to improve your online Baccarat game
Now that you’re a little more familiar with the various types of Baccarat available, it’s time to work on your game! While Baccarat is largely a game of chance, and doesn’t require any complex strategies, there are still a number of smart betting tactics you can use to get ahead:
1. Bet on the Banker
We mentioned this as part of our breakdown of classic Baccarat, but it’s worth repeating. If you’re wondering how to choose between the three available bets, stick with the Banker. Thanks to a low house edge of 1.06% compared to the Player at 1.24%, it’s the safest bet you can make. Usually the casino will take a small commission (approximately 5%) on winning Banker bets. But even with this applied, it’s still your best bet.
2. Never bet on a Tie
You might be tempted by the high payouts offered with a Tie in online Baccarat. Typically set at 8:1 or 9:1, which are hugely rewarding in theory. In practice though, the house edge on a Tie bet comes in at 14.4%, making it a hugely risky proposition. Prioritize your bankroll over an uncertain bet. And stick with the far more friendly Player or Banker bets instead.
3. Manage your bankroll
Speaking of your bankroll, it needs to be a key focus for you no matter what online Baccarat variation you play. Make sure you set yourself a budget before playing, and stick to it no matter what. Dividing your bankroll up into smaller units can help you manage your money more efficiently. And help you to avoid overspending in a single session. And the most important tip of all. Never chase your losses! If you find yourself on a losing streak. Don’t try to win your money back. Walk away instead. That’s not just good Baccarat, that’s good gambling too.
So, ready to take your first Baccarat bets and find out what all the fuss is about? You know how to play, you know more about the range of Baccarat games available. And you even know a few helpful tips too. So go ahead. Place your bets on Baccarat and get in the game today!