Top Online Baccarat Sites

No longer reserved for the flashy high-roller tables at brick-and-mortar casinos, baccarat is a game now available for all to play at the best online casinos. A simple game of chance, it’s a perfect place for newcomers to start and experienced players to have some fun too. All you have to do is simply place your bets and watch the action unfold. Sound like your kind of game? Let’s go through the ins and outs of playing online baccarat.

How We Review Online Baccarat Casinos

There’s a lot to take into account when choosing a new online casino, so here’s a quick summary of what we consider to be the most important factors when reviewing the best online baccarat casinos:

• Licensing – The first thing we look for when reviewing a baccarat casino is whether it’s licensed by a trusted gaming control board, such as the Malta Gaming Authority. Regulators like the MGA ensure that baccarat online casinos are held to strict legislatory standards of fairness and security, and as such we won’t review a casino that fails to pass this initial check. 
• Baccarat Options – The best online casinos for baccarat will offer players a variety of different baccarat titles and variations, so you can expect to find a host of different games at our selected baccarat casinos. 
• Other Casino Games – Besides baccarat, we like to recommend online casinos that provide a number of alternative casino games, including slots, blackjack, roulette, live casino games, and much more. 
• Payment Options – We understand that different players will have their own payment preferences, and we like to recommend baccarat online casinos that cater to all. With that in mind, whether you like to pay by debit card, e-wallet, prepaid cards, or even cryptocurrencies, our list of the best baccarat casinos should more than have you covered.  
• Bonuses – Casino bonuses are often the first thing people look for when choosing a new casino site, so we make sure we’ve thoroughly explored the deals on offer at every baccarat casino we review — for both new and existing players. This includes reading through all the different terms and conditions in order to ensure that each of these bonuses are truly valuable. If something’s amiss with a welcome bonus or its worth, we’ll let you know about it. 
• Site Design – Exploring a new casino site should be a smooth and intuitive experience. It’s no good having all the games under the sun if the site is too difficult to navigate, so we prioritize site design and user experience when reviewing a baccarat online casino. 
• Mobile – With most online baccarat being played on the go, it’s absolutely crucial that the best online casinos for baccarat run smoothly on all mobile devices, be it via a mobile-optimized site or a native app. We expect all baccarat games that are playable on desktop to also be available on mobile, and without any loss in performance. 
• Customer Support – Round-the-clock customer support is an absolute must at baccarat online casinos. If you have any problems or quandaries while playing baccarat or any other casino game at these sites, support should be available by live chat, phone call, or a responsive email helpline.

The Basics of Baccarat Explained

Much like fellow casino classics roulette and blackjack, baccarat is a very simple game to learn and play. It’s a casino card game of chance with two hands – the player’s hand and the banker’s hand. The aim of the game is to successfully bet on the hand that will end up totaling closest to nine. A standard game offers three betting options: you can bet on the banker’s hand to win, the player’s hand to win or the tie. Further side bets are available on certain variants to add a little extra spice to the game.

The Rules

The objective of baccarat is to predict which hand will get a point value closest to 9 – with the scores ranging from 0 – 9. There are three betting options – the banker’s hand, the player’s hand or the tie. Once you’ve placed your bets, both the banker and player are dealt two cards. The value of the cards are:

• Ace cards are worth one point
• Face cards and tens are worth zero points
• All other cards have a value equivalent value as the card number

When adding up a card’s value, if the total is a two digit number, you remove the first digit. For example, if you have a 6 and an 8, that would equal 14 but the actual value of the hand would be 4. The objective is to get to 9, though if one of the hands gets an 8, this is also considered a natural win. If neither hand holds 8 or 9 after the first two cards are drawn, the player and banker then act depending on the value of their hand and what the other hand is holding. The maximum number of cards allowed in a hand is three. If the player and banker’s hands are of the same value, it’s a tie.

All winning wagers on banker or player hands pay even money; however, there is a five percent commission charge if you backed the banker hand. The tie pays out at either 8:1 or 9:1, depending on which casino you choose to play at.

Side Bets

As well as the main bets, baccarat has a few additional side bets. The pair bet pays out 11 to 1. To win, you require either the banker or the player’s hand’s first two cards to be a pair. Looking for even better odds? The dragon bonus pays out 30 to 1 when the hand you’ve chosen wins by a large margin or scores a natural win. Other examples of side bets include the ‘big’ and ‘small’ bets – the former pays out if the game ends with five to six cards drawn, while the latter pays out if the game ends with four cards drawn.

History of Baccarat

The origins of baccarat are disputed by card game historians, but most believe it was invented by an Italian gambler named Felix Falguiere, or Falguierein, in the 15th century. Not much is known of Falguierein, but it’s believed that he based the game on an old Etruschan legend, and it was originally played with tarot cards.  

Despite its dubious Italian origins, there can be no doubt that baccarat owes much of its enduring popularity to France, where it became a favorite game of the French nobility after the Italian Wars of 1494–1559. 

Baccarat didn’t become popular in the US until the 1950s, when the punto banco variant arrived from South America and Ian Fleming published Dr. No, which revealed baccarat to be 007’s game of choice, in 1958. When the film adaptation starring Sean Connery came out in 1962, every casino in Vegas was adding baccarat to its roster.

Understanding the Different Types of Baccarat

Baccarat comes in a few different flavors. So how do they differ? Let’s take a closer look.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco is the variation most gamblers are familiar with as it is most commonly encountered at online baccarat sites. The rules of Punto Banco are very simple, you don’t have to make any decision other than which hand to bet on, and everything comes down to chance.

Chemin de Fer

With Chemin de Fer, players compete against each other rather than against the house, and they have more control over proceedings. Each round sees a different player act as the banker, deciding how much money is at stake, the banker then faces off against the other players at the baccarat table. Chemin de Fer has Punto Banco-like gameplay, except players can decide whether to draw a third card or stick to their original two. This spin on the gameplay provides a tactical element, in a similar fashion to blackjack.

Baccarat Banque

As with Chemin de Fer, the role of the banker in Baccarat Banque is taken by a player, specifically, the player who puts up the largest stake, making Baccarat Banque a popular option for high rollers. There are three hands in play, with the banker-player taking on two separate player hands on either side of the baccarat table. For this reason, Baccarat Banque is also known as Baccarat a Deux Tableaux – ”on two tables”.

Mini Baccarat

Unsurprisingly, mini baccarat is essentially just a smaller, faster version of punto banco, played on smaller tables and with lower stakes. Apart from that, mini baccarat proceeds in much the same way as regular punto banco baccarat, with players betting on three main outcomes — banker, player, or tie — before the cards are dealt.

Free Baccarat Games

The best online baccarat casinos will allow you to play demo versions of their games before you start staking real cash. Depending on which casino you’re playing at, you should have the option of trying out a variety of different baccarat variants before playing for real money.

Some baccarat casinos will also allow you to observe a number of live baccarat tables, so you can explore all your options before deciding where to place your bets. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to make an account at the relevant casino before trying out these free baccarat games. 

Get to Grips with Baccarat Strategy

With absolutely no control over the cards, baccarat is entirely a game of chance. This means there isn’t much in the way of a playing strategy. With that said, placing the right bets is essential to the long-term health of your cash balance, and it pays to know the house edge for each available bet. After all, do you really want to bet on the ‘tie’ at 8 to 1 when the house edge is a whopping 14 percent?

While there’s little strategy that can be employed when playing baccarat, you can use a betting system to guide your staking pattern. It’s important to remember that no strategy can boost your chances of winning. However, they often provide good entertainment and can help you manage your bankroll in a more structured fashion.

Here’s a flavor of some baccarat strategies you can try out:

• Martingale – Also used on roulette, the Martingale system simply involves doubling your bet after a loss, and returning to your original stake when you win. It’s a risky method that is likely to blow your budget or hit the table stake limit, but can provide some fun and structure for a few rounds.
• Fibonnaci – In the Fibonacci sequence, each number is the sum of the previous two numbers — 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89. To apply this to baccarat, your stake size should begin with a particular unit, and then follow the sequence of numbers in increasing your bet when you lose. When you win, return two numbers down in the sequence. 
• Always side with the banker – Another popular baccarat strategy is to always bet on the banker to win. The reason for this is that the banker has a slight advantage as they go second. The player bet has a house edge of 1.24%, while the banker bet has a lower house edge of 1.06%. Accordingly, the win rate for the player is 44.62%, lower than 45.86% for the banker. Bear in mind, however, that there is often a 5% commission charge on winning banker bets.

Online Baccarat Software Providers

The best baccarat casino sites will feature games by some of the industry’s top software providers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest players in the market.

NetEnt

Baccarat Pro – NetEnt

NetEnt has been creating online games for decades now, and has developed a stellar reputation in that time. The company has produced some of the more prominent online baccarat games, including Baccarat Pro and Punto Banco. Baccarat Pro is available in standard, low-roller, high-roller and VIP versions, it follows standard baccarat rules with a 9 for 1 payout for a tie. Both the above titles boast the sleek feel and high-end graphics that we’ve come to expect from NetEnt.

Microgaming

Baccarat Gold – Microgaming

Microgaming is a true pioneer of online gaming software, launching its first title way back in 1994. Microgaming’s extensive portfolio includes Baccarat Gold, which features stellar visuals and uses standard baccarat rules, while incorporating additional features such as “rotate” and “squeeze”.

Evolution

Salon Privé Baccarat – Evolution

Evolution has made its name as an industry leader in live casino games. The developer offers a range of baccarat games from the lavish VIP Salon Privé version — ideal for high rollers — to Speed Baccarat, where the dealer will whisk you through each round in under 30 seconds. There’s also Dragon Tiger, which is a modified, two-card version of baccarat — ideal if you’re after a different take on the game.

Playtech

Prestige Mini Baccarat – Playtech

Playtech is almost exactly as old as the century, springing into life on 31 December 1999. That means over 20 years of experience goes into the developer’s portfolio, and it’s one of Evolution’s main rivals when it comes to live casino games too. Playtech’s Baccarat Prestige deploys intricate camera work and action replays to ramp up the live dealer excitement, while there’s also an RNG take on the game for players who fancy a more low-key experience.

IGT

Baccarat – IGT

Headquartered in London, IGT is a multinational software provider that was established in 1990. It produces a wide range of gambling terminals and online games, including virtual casino tables and slots. You’ll find IGT’s baccarat online games at top US casinos like Golden Nugget, alongside more alternative titles like Blackjack Multihand and Double Bonus Spin Roulette.

Play Baccarat On the Go

Mobile gambling is how the majority of players gamble nowadays, with virtually all online baccarat sites optimized for use through the web browser on your phone or tablet. Just navigate to the URL, login as normal, and you can start placing bets on the Player and the Banker hands just as you would on a desktop.

Many of the best US casino sites also offer mobile apps that you can download to your Android or Apple device. While these do take up a bit of storage space, they’re well worth it, bringing extra convenience by letting you access your favorite casino games with a few taps of your finger. Native apps also provide push notifications to keep you up to speed on the latest promos.

Claim a Top Casino Welcome Bonus

Offering welcome bonuses is key to any online casino site looking to attract new players, and there are certainly plenty of appealing offers out there. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of deals available to new players at baccarat online casinos.

Matched Deposit Bonuses

Matched deposits are a common type of welcome offer that give you the chance to claim some bonus credit when you add funds to your account for the first time. A percentage bonus is applied to your first deposit. For example, a 100% bonus on a $20 deposit would effectively double your money, giving you an extra $20 to play baccarat with.

Free Spins

Free spins are exclusively used for slot games, so you won’t be able to use them to play baccarat. Nevertheless, seeing as they are often awarded in conjunction with a matched deposit bonus, they represent a nice risk-free opportunity to try out the slots.

No Deposit Bonuses

While most welcome bonuses at baccarat online casinos require a qualifying deposit, players can sometimes pick up rewards like free spins and bonus credit as soon as they sign up. A no deposit bonus offers a good opportunity to try out a site and its games before spending your own money. And, the best part is, you’ll still be in with a shout of winning real money prizes.

Bonus Terms and Conditions at Baccarat Casinos

Before you claim any type of online casino bonus, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the various terms and conditions that are likely to apply. Being aware of the main stipulations makes it easier to compare different deals and find one that’s right for you.

Online Baccarat Payment Options

New customers at a casino want to know they can make deposits and withdrawals through a number of trusted payment options. Here are some of the key banking methods available at the best baccarat sites right now.

Try Out the Best Free Play Baccarat Games

The best online baccarat casinos in the US give players a chance to try out demo games without the need to make a deposit. It’s a savvy strategy if you want to try out the gameplay and get a feel for things without staking any real money. Of course, you can’t actually win any real money prizes this way, but free games are a great way to build up a bit of experience before putting cash on the line.

How to Play Online Baccarat for Real Money

1. Choose a top online casino
   James Bond’s favourite location to play baccarat is the Casino de Monte Carlo, but there’s no need to make any long distance trips. However, you will need to find somewhere to play online, so your first call of duty is to choose a top casino site. Our list is the best place to start – we’ve put together a lineup with the best bonuses, promotions and of course, baccarat games. Compare.bet US only brings you the top online baccarat sites with each one being licensed and regulated so you are assured of a safe and fair gaming experience.
2. Sign up, deposit and claim your bonus
   Once you’ve narrowed-down the field and found your favorite, follow our link to sign up and become eligible for your exclusive bonus. A few personal and contact details are all that’s required to create an account. Next, you’ll need to head to the cashier to make your first deposit. You won’t be short of banking options at the top online casinos, with debit cards, e-wallets, and prepaid cards among the most-commonly used. Once you’ve made your deposit, your bonus funds will usually be deposited almost immediately.
3. Hit the practice tables
   Baccarat is a simple game that’s easy to learn and involves more luck than skill. Still, a little practice never hurts. Take advantage of the demo tables to test out a betting system, or simply get familiar with the games features and controls. Once you’ve got the hang of things, the real money tables are always just a few clicks away!
4. Choose your baccarat game
   Standard baccarat or Punto Banco? 6 or 8-deck? It’s now time to pick a real money baccarat table to play at and there are a number of options at your disposal. You’ll want to find a table with limits suitable for your bankroll. Most top online baccarat sites offer low, medium and high stakes VIP tables, so there’s something for everyone.
5. Experience live dealer baccarat
   Looking for the most immersive baccarat experience available online? Why not check out live dealer baccarat? You can play the casino classic and interact with a real croupier via live stream. With stunning HD video and crisp audio, live dealer games bring the sights and sounds of a brick-and-mortar casino to you – anytime, any place.

Responsible Gambling Tips for Online Baccarat

Real money online casino games like baccarat can be a lot of fun, but it’s vital to always play within your means. Here are our top tips to follow to gamble responsibly at baccarat online casinos:

• Stick to a budget – Set a clear budget when you play baccarat that you can afford to lose. Gambling is about having fun, not turning a profit.
• Set up limits – At all the licensed sites listed here at Compare.bet, players can set up limits on spending and time spent playing casino games. For a longer-term solution, services like Gamban can block all gambling sites on your devices.
• Watch out for warning signs – Common warning signs of gambling addiction include: betting more than you can afford; becoming stressed about gambling habits; lying to loved ones about gambling activity; and borrowing or stealing money to gamble with.
• Never gamble under the influence – People are unable to make sensible decisions when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Don’t place a bet when not of sound mind.
• Get advice and support – Be open about your gambling habits and talk to friends and family. There are also charities and organizations like Gamblers Anonymous that can offer help and support.

Time to Play!

We’ve taken you through the rules and variations of baccarat, as well as some of the perks to look out for when selecting online casino operators. So, are you ready to try out this iconic card game yourself? Check out our list of the US’s best baccarat sites, compare the casino bonuses, and follow our links to register and start playing!