If you are looking for a card game in an online casino you can quickly get the hang of, baccarat is an excellent choice. The game is relatively simple in terms of its setup and accessible for players of all levels. Being familiar with the rules will help be well prepared for your first round. In this article, we explain how baccarat works, how card values are calculated and how an online baccarat round unfolds.
What Is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a card game in which you can bet on three possible outcomes: Player, Banker or a Tie. The dealer always deals the cards according to fixed rules.
The aim is to predict which hand will ultimately come closest to a value of nine, or whether both hands will have the same value. This means you essentially only have to make two decisions: which outcome you choose and how much you want to bet.
The Player and Banker initially both receive two cards. Depending on the total value, the dealer may then deal a third card.
How Do Card Values Work in Baccarat?
The card values in baccarat are simple:
- Cards from 2 to 9 have their normal value.
- An ace is worth 1 point.
- A 10, jack, queen and king are worth 0 points.
The way a hand’s value is calculated is slightly more complicated. In baccarat, only the last digit of the total card value counts. For example, a hand with a seven and a six has a total value of 13. Since only the last digit counts, the final value is three.
A hand with a nine and an eight has a total value of seventeen and is therefore worth seven. The highest possible value is nine.
Which Bets Can You Place in Baccarat?
In baccarat, there are three main bets. You can bet on the Player, the Banker or a Tie.
With a Player bet, you predict that the Player hand will have the highest value. A Banker bet means that you expect the Banker hand to win. You are not betting against the casino: “Banker” is simply the name of one of the two hands.
You can also choose a Tie bet. With this bet, you predict that the Player and Banker will finish with the same value. The payout for this bet is generally higher, but a tie is also less likely to occur.
Some baccarat variants also offer additional bets alongside these three standard bets. These so-called side bets allow you to bet on specific card combinations or card values. For example, you can predict that your first two cards will form a pair, or that they will have a particular combined value. Which side bets are available depends on the variant.
How Does a Round of Baccarat Work?
A baccarat round consists of a number of fixed steps. You do not have to draw cards yourself or make decisions during the game.
- Place your bet on the Player, Banker or a Tie.
- The first two cards are dealt to the Player and Banker.
- The value of both hands is calculated.
- In some situations, the Player or Banker receives a third card.
- The hand closest to 9 wins.
- If your bet wins, you receive a payout according to the rules.
When Is a Third Card Dealt?
For the Player, this depends on the total value of the first two cards. If the hand has a value of zero to five, the dealer deals a third card. With a value of six, seven, eight or nine, the hand stands.
Whether the Banker receives a third card depends on the value of its own hand and, in some situations, also on the third card received by the Player. For example, the Banker always receives a third card with a hand value of zero to two. With a value of three to six, this depends on the value of the Player’s third card.
You do not have to calculate any of this yourself as a player. In an online baccarat game, the correct cards are dealt automatically according to the rules.
Baccarat Online: RNG or a Live Casino?
You can play baccarat in different ways. A regular online version is completely digital. Instead of playing with a real dealer, you play using random number generator (RNG) software. This allows you to play entirely at your own pace.
With live baccarat, you play with a real croupier. You watch via a livestream as the croupier deals the cards, making it feel more like playing at a physical casino.
Which option suits you best mainly depends on your preference. For fast and simple gameplay, an RNG version is the most suitable. If you want to experience the atmosphere of a real casino table, you can try a live variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bet has the highest chance of winning?
Statistically speaking, the Banker and Player bets have almost the same probability of winning: 45.86 per cent for the Banker versus 44.62 per cent for the Player. This is due to the fixed rules for the drawing of a third card. The Tie outcome has the lowest probability.
Keep in mind that the outcome of each round remains random. These percentages are merely an indicator of probability based on the rules of the game.
Is Baccarat Easier Than Blackjack or Poker?
In general, baccarat is a simpler game than blackjack or poker because you do not have to make any strategic decisions during the game. You simply make a prediction and wait for the outcome.
Can You Play Baccarat on Mobile Devices?
Yes, baccarat is available on your mobile phone, tablet or computer. Online casino games work on all devices, with the interface adapting to your screen.
Can You Play Baccarat for Free?
Some online casinos offer a demo version. This allows you to learn the rules and become familiar with how a round works without betting real money. You can only try a non-live game for free. Live games do not have a demo version and can only be accessed with an account.
