How to Play Baccarat Online
Playing baccarat online is straightforward. Several decks of cards are shuffled and placed into a shoe. Two cards are dealt to both the Player and Banker hands, and you bet on which hand will be closest to a total of 9, or if they will tie.
A total of 8 or 9 is known as a ‘natural,’ and no additional cards are drawn.
If both hands have the same total, it results in a tie.
If neither hand has a natural, drawing rules determine if a third card is dealt.
Understanding these basics allows you to play most online baccarat games easily. No special software is required; the games function on both desktop and mobile browsers.
Steps to Play Baccarat Online
Choose an Online Casino – Research and read reviews to select a casino that suits you. Create an account, and play.
Browse Baccarat Games – Locate baccarat games in the table games or live dealer sections. Different providers offer various themes and graphics.
Learn the Game – Click on a game to view the rules, functions, odds, and betting options.
Place Your Bets – Wager on the player, banker, or tie according to the game’s rules. Place your chips as instructed.
Deal the Cards – In RNG games, click ‘deal’; in live dealer games, the dealer will start once all bets are placed.
Determine Winners – Winnings are automatically credited to your account based on the game rules.
Card Values and Scoring in Baccarat
In most versions of baccarat, card values are scored as follows:
• Number cards (2-9) are worth their face value (e.g., a 5 is worth 5 points).
• Tens and face cards (Jack, Queen, King) are worth 0 points.
• Aces are worth 1 point.
The score for each hand is the sum of the card values:
• For example, if you have an Ace and a 4, the total score for that hand is 5 points.
• If you have a 7 and a 9, the total score is 16. Because baccarat only considers the last digit, the score for the hand is 6.
Example Rules for Drawing and Standing
If neither hand wins or ties initially, additional cards may be drawn. The Player draws another card if the hand total is 0-5 and stands if it’s 6 or 7.
If the Player stands, the Banker draws a third card if their hand totals 0-5 and stands on 6 or 7. If the Player draws a third card, the Banker’s actions depend on the value of that third card. These rules can vary slightly, so always check the specific rules for the game you’re playing.
Betting Options and Payouts in Online Baccarat
In most online baccarat games, there are three main betting options, each offering different odds and house edges:
• Player Bet: You’re betting that the player's hand will have a higher total than the banker’s hand.
• Banker Bet: You’re betting that the banker’s hand will beat the player's hand.
• Tie Bet: You’re betting that both the player and banker hands will have the same value.
The banker bet is generally the safest choice due to its lower house edge, but casinos typically apply a 5% commission to banker bet winnings.
Many baccarat games also offer a variety of side bets. For example, you can wager on the first two cards forming a pair (payout 11:1) or a perfect pair (same rank and suit, payout 25:1). In Super 6 Baccarat, betting on the banker winning with exactly 6 points pays out at 12:1. Side bets vary by game and casino.