Online Baccarat

How to Play Baccarat Online & Win


One of the most popular table games in casino history, Baccarat has become a go-to for gamblers and card games players everywhere. Thanks to its simplicity and easy-to-learn nature, Baccarat is the first choice for many a casino goer.

Due to the immergence of online gambling and iGaming over the past several years, online Baccarat has rapidly grown in popularity. It has never been easier to play a game with Baccarat online casinos these days.

Baccarat Rules for Beginners

Before diving into the rules of Baccarat and how a round is played, it is crucial to first understand the value that cards in Baccarat hold.

Tens and face cards are worth zero. Ace through nine retain their normal numerical value. For example, an Ace is worth 1, a two is worth 2, etc.

The goal of Baccarat is to bet on the correct hand to finish with nine points (or the closest to nine points). Each hand of Baccarat begins with the player being given the chance to bet on their own hand or the bankers hand. You can technically bet on a “tie” as well for a chance at better winnings. However, this is normally advised against.

After making your initial bet, each player plus the banker will receive two cards from the deck (online Baccarat games are played with four, six, or eight decks).

If either the player or the banker’s first two cards total up to equal 8-9, the round will immediately end. This is called a “natural win.”

It is important to note that if the total of your two cards reaches double digits, the first number will be dropped and the remaining second number is your actual total. For example, if you draw a six and a five (6+5=11), your actual total is one due to the first one being dropped.

If neither the banker or the player draws a total of 8-9, the player will have the option to draw a third card if their current total is five or below. If your total is 6-7, you are stuck with it.

If the player opts against drawing a third card, the banker draws with a total of 0-5 or does nothing with a total of 6-7. All other banker third card outcomes are dependent on what the player draws:

Online Baccarat 3rd Card Rules

  • Player’s third card is a 2 or 3? The banker draws when he has a 0-4 and does nothing with a 5-7.
  • Player’s third card is a 4 or 5? The banker draws when he has a 0-5, and does nothing with a 6-7.
  • Player’s third card is a 6 or 7? The Banker draws when he has a 0-6, and does nothing with a 7.
  • Player’s third card is an 8? The Banker draws when he has a 0-2, and does nothing with a 3-7.
  • Player’s third card is a 9, 10, face-card or Ace? The Banker draws when he has a 0-3, and does nothing with a 4-7.

Once all cards are dealt, the winning hand is decided by which total is closer to nine. Winnings are then paid out based on who you bet on at the start of the round.

How to Bet on Baccarat Online

As mentioned earlier, there are three unique bets you can make when playing Baccarat online with your favorite casino apps.

  • Bet on the player
  • Bet on the banker
  • Bet on the tie

Before cards are dealt out, you will begin the round by choosing which bet you want to make. By using chips or digital currency online, you can place your wager on the outcome of your choosing.

Banker and player bets pay 1:1, whereas a tie pays 8:1. Ties are extremely uncommon though, so do not get too excited about these lofty odds.

How Long Does a Game of Baccarat Last?

With there only being one round of betting and a maximum of two dealing rounds, a game of Baccarat can be over in less than a minute. Baccarat’s fast pace is one of the top reasons it is so popular amongst gambling fans. It’s not as fast as online slots, but this game of chance could keep you locked in for longer.

Understanding Baccarat Odds and Payouts

Here are the odds and payouts on the three bets you are allowed to make in Baccarat:

  • The odds of a bet on the banker winning are 45.86% with a 1:1 payout.
  • The odds of a bet on the player winning are 44.63% with a 1:1 payout.
  • The odds of a bet on a tie winning are 9.51% with an 8:1 payout.

“Side bets” are occasionally used during a live Baccarat table to further increase winnings. However, this is not something that typically occurs when playing Baccarat online.

How to Win at Baccarat + Baccarat Strategy

Baccarat is a game of chance with little to no skill involved. However, there are still effective strategies that can be used to increase your odds of winning a hand. These strategies use odds calculators to determine the best way of playing.

The most popular Baccarat strategy is simply betting on the Banker’s hand. Due to the slight increase in odds (due to how the third card plays out if necessary), you are giving yourself a slightly better chance of winning the round.

If you are a true Baccarat beginner, wagering on the Banker every hand is a good place to start.

There are several more complex Baccarat strategies that more seasoned players have found success with as well:

  • Martingale System
  • Fibonacci Strategy
  • Paroli System Labouchere System
  • D’Alembert System

Further research into these different strategies and systems can further increase your online Baccarat performance.

How to Play Baccarat Online

Depending on the online casinos site you sign up with, your screen will look something like the image below when playing Baccarat online.

You can see the three separate betting options in the middle of the screen. Betting on the Player, the Banker, or a Tie.

Below that, you can see different chips representing your betting currency, as well as your current balance and bet amount for that round.

With Baccarat being an easier game to play, starting a round online is simple. All you must do is choose which outcome to bet on and how much you would like to wager, and then click the “DEAL” button to begin the round.

Each online casino will have different quirks and buttons specific to their layout, so do not be afraid to play around with the interface a bit before starting a round.

Baccarat Game Variations Online

The two most popular Baccarat variations are Punto Banco and Mini Baccarat. Punto Banco can be found in most American, Australian, and British Casinos. The “Punto” represents the player in this version and the “Banco” represents the banker.

Mini Baccarat is an optimized version of the game that has become one of the most popular casino table games in Las Vegas. Plenty of online casinos will operate their online Baccarat rooms in a comparable manner.

Additional Baccarat versions include:

  • Chemin de Fer
  • Baccarat Banque
  • Dragon Tiger
  • European Baccarat
  • Macau Baccarat

How to Play Baccarat Online FAQ

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How do you play Baccarat online?

To play Baccarat online, sign up with the legal online casino of your choice and head over to the games section to find the Baccarat variation that is to your liking. Some online casinos will offer several different online Baccarat versions alongside live Baccarat tables.

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Is it legal to play Baccarat online?

Yes, it is legal to play Baccarat online in select states. The following states currently offer legal real money online casinos: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, and Delaware.

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What are the rules of Baccarat?

Each Baccarat hand begins with a betting round. You can bet on the Banker to win, Player to win, or on a Tie. Two cards will be dealt to the banker and player each, with the goal of getting the closest to a total of nine. If neither the player nor the banker starts with a total of 8-9, a third card can be dealt in certain circumstances.

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Can you win money playing Baccarat online?

Yes. Thanks to Baccarat being one of the easiest-to-play online casino games, you can win money without having much experience or skill.

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Are there any Baccarat strategies that work?

Baccarat is a game of chance. However, betting on the banker each hand is considered the best winning strategy. Additional strategies include the Martingale System, Fibonacci Strategy, Paroli System Labouchere System and D’Alembert System.


David Esser

David Esser

David began his sports career as a sophomore in college where he ran his own blog which picked up traction in Philadelphia. He moved into writing/editing roles with Philly Sports Network and FanSided. He's covered all four major Philadelphia sports teams, the Texas Rangers for FanSided, and has worked for EndGame360 as an NFL and MLB Staff Writer.


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