Play Online Baccarat for Real Money or for Free

What Is Online Baccarat & Why Is it So Popular?

Baccarat is one of the most popular casino card games worldwide, dating back to the 1400s. Created by the Italian Felix Falguiere, the card game of Baccarat quickly spread across Europe and Asia, becoming a gambling favourite among aristocrats and the very wealthy. The origin of Baccarat remains in dispute, with many suggesting the French invented the game in the 1800s.

Baccarat has since gained traction worldwide and online - second only to online slots - largely popularized by films such as James Bond and their widespread presence in Las Vegas casinos.

Due to Baccarat being available at most reputable online casinos, as either free play or for real money, this historical game of chance is readily available to novice gamblers and high-rollers worldwide regardless of their location or the languages they speak.

There are several reasons why Baccarat has become so popular, especially at online casinos:

• The chances of winning are high.

• It's relatively easy to play - you don't need advanced skills.

• Suitable for all casino players - high and low stakes available for real money play.

• Largely based on luck (with some strategy).

• Alternative to table games such as Blackjack, Roulette and Poker.

How to Play Online Baccarat

The three most popular Baccarat variants include Punto Banco, Baccarat Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque. The most commonly played version is Punto Banco due to its simplicity. The game is played with 6-8 decks of cards. The game's goal is to wager a bet on the hand that will have the highest total value, with 9 being the highest possible score. Each Baccarat Coup (or Round) has three possible outcomes: Banker Win, Player Win, and Tie.

Basic Online Baccarat Rules:

• Step 1: Bets are placed before the cards are dealt. Participants can bet on Player (Punto), Banker (Banco) or Tie.

• Step 2:  The Croupier/ Dealer deals two cards (facing up) from the Shoe to the Player Box and Banker Box, respectively.

• Step 3:  Tens & face cards (Jacks, Queens & Kings) are worth zero points. All other cards are worth their face value, and Aces are worth 1 point.

• Step 4:  The hand value is determined by adding the points of the two cards, with the winning hand having the closest value to 9.

• Step 5:  Unlike Blackjack, if the sum of the cards is higher than 9, you don't go bust. Instead, the second digit becomes the value of the hand. e.g. 8+7=15, which means the value of the hand would be 5. Another formula is to deduct 10, so 8+7=15 less 10 equals 5 points.

Note: "Banker" is not the house, nor is "Player" the person placing the bets; they are simply the designations given to both hands that are dealt out per coup/ round.

Baccarat Bet Types, Payouts and House Edge

Online Baccarat provides pretty reasonable odds in comparison to other casino games, as well as a low house edge which is a great advantage:

Baccarat Bet Type	Payout	House Edge (Single Deck)	House Edge (6 Deck)
Player Bet	1:1	1.29%	1.24%
Banker Bet	19:20	1.01%	1.06%
Tie Bet	8:1	15.75	14.44%

*Since the banker bet has the lowest house edge, many casinos charge a 5% commission every time it wins.

Baccarat Side Bets

Many side bets can be made in addition to the main bet (such as Perfect Pair, Player Pair, Banker Pair, Either Pair). Some players find that having only three betting options in the game becomes a bit monotonous, which is why many quality online casinos have introduced a range of side bets. Let's take a look at some of the most common side bets:

• Player Pair/Banker Pair: Place your chip on either one of these to bet that the first two cards of either the player or the Banker will be a pair

• Either Pair: As the name suggests, this side bet allows you to bet on either the player or the Banker being dealt a pair in their first two cards

• Perfect Pair: In this side bet, you're betting that either the player or the Banker will be dealt two cards of the same value and suit

• Big: Choose this side bet if you think the total number of cards dealt in the round will be 5 or 6

• Small: This side bet allows you to bet that the total number of cards dealt in the round will be 4 (the minimum)

Baccarat Variants

There are a few variants of the game that you may come across, so we'll briefly look at a few of the most common ones:

• RNG: One of the most common variants, RNG online Baccarat games use a Random Number Generator to ensure the random nature of the result for each round. As such, there is no dealer present, with cards dealt automatically.

• Live: Live dealer games have been growing in popularity as they offer a more realistic experience than what you might find at a real land-based casino. A real person deals with the cards on a real Baccarat table set in a studio. An overlaid interface allows you to place bets and collect your winnings in real-time.

• Speed: As the name suggests, this variant is played at a faster pace.

• Lightning: A variant offered by Evolution, this game adds a twist of random win multipliers on each round.

• Squeeze: The rules are the same, but revealing the important cards is done slowly and deliberately to draw out the tension and excitement for as long as possible!

• Controlled Squeeze: Whereas the squeeze in the above variant is carried out by the dealer, in this variant, you are the one doing the squeezing, so you can peel back slowly or flip it over quickly, whichever way. You want!

• No Commission: Baccarat is an unusual game in that, despite what you may at first assume, the Player and Banker positions do not pay out the same. A 5% commission fee is deducted from all Banker wins in most versions of the game, except No Commission variants, in which only one particular Banker win is paid out at a slightly reduced payout.

What is the best online Baccarat strategy to win? Even though no strategy can guarantee a win, you can certainly increase your chances of winning by following our guide above. Next, we will cover how to play online Baccarat for free or real money.

Play Online Baccarat for Free

Why would you want to play online Baccarat for free? Free Play is the best way to get used to the game if you haven't played before or are used to playing and need to familiarise yourself with the rules again. It's also a good way of exploring different variants of the game.

The benefit of playing for free is you can do all of the above without risking your own money; however, you may not be able to win any real money either. Playing for free is a great way to learn the ropes and get a feel for the game, but eventually, you'll probably want to start playing for real money. When you're ready to do that, you'll need to fund your bankroll by depositing at your chosen casino.

There are two main ways to play online Baccarat for free: demo mode or using a sign-up bonus. Let's look at each of these in more detail to decide which approach is best for you.

Free Play Option 1: Online Baccarat Demo Mode

Almost every online casino offers you the ability to explore their games in demo mode. Often called free play mode, it's a way to try the game software without using your own money. Demo mode is perfect for beginners or exploring a new game variant, but what is demo mode exactly, and how do you access a game in demo mode?

Demo mode is the same as playing Baccarat for real in that none of the game's rules are different. The only thing that changes is that the balance you use in demo mode is virtual money, not real. The point is to try the game for free, so remember that any winnings you get in play mode are in-play chips and can't get cashed out!

To access online Baccarat in demo mode, click the "Demo," "Free Play," or "Try Free" link on the game image. The game will open, and you'll get a set amount of play balance. Then you can play! Note that most Live Dealer games can't be played in demo mode.

Free Play Option 2: Use Free Baccarat Promos

Another way of playing online Baccarat for free is by claiming a sign-up bonus. Sign-up bonuses are offered to new Baccarat players just for creating a new account at an online casino to encourage them to join and start playing right away. It's a great way of getting a real-money taste of the game without risking your own money. Plus, if you win, you could also get your hands on those winnings in real cash, as long as you complete the wagering requirements.

Sign-up bonuses are usually easy to claim and are automatically added to your account once you have registered. There are different casino welcome bonuses, with some allowing you to play all games, others available on slots, and still more designed for use on live dealer games. The latter of these is perfect for exploring live dealer Baccarat without risking your own money, something you can't usually do in demo mode.

Play Online Baccarat for Real Money

So once you've had a taste of the game in demo mode to learn the basics, brush up on your knowledge or explore a new variant, you might want to start seeing those winnings in real money. That's when you know it's time to start playing online Baccarat for real money! But how do you go about doing that?

There are two ways of starting to play online Baccarat for real. The first and most obvious way is by making your first deposit and playing with your own money. However, you can also play for real with bonus funds. 

Let's take a brief look at each of these in turn.

Casino Payment Methods for Baccarat

The most obvious way to start playing online Baccarat for real is by making a deposit and playing with your own money. If the idea of depositing at a casino makes you a little apprehensive, rest assured that it is entirely safe and secure to do so, as long as you choose a reputable and trustworthy online casino such as those listed on this site, which our professional and experienced team has thoroughly reviewed.

Making your first deposit at an online casino is very easy. Once you've opened your new online casino account, you'll usually be prompted to make your first deposit. If not, you can click on any of the site's Deposit buttons or visit the cashier. You'll then be able to choose your preferred payment method from the available options, enter your details and how much you want to deposit, then click the Deposit button. 

Your funds will then be added to your casino balance, which you can use to play Baccarat online! 

Pro Tip: Bankroll management is extremely important so that you don't spend more money than you can afford. Decide on your budget, and then decide on how many sessions of online Baccarat you intend to play. Lastly, divide the amount per session by the rounds of Baccarat you're likely to play. You now have an idea of the average wager or bet you can afford to make per round so that you don't overspend and run out before you expect it.

Bonuses Available for Online Baccarat

Fancy some extra funds to play Baccarat online? Having more to play with is a great way of potentially boosting your chances of winning, so it often makes sense to claim a bonus. Online casinos offer a variety of casino bonuses to encourage people to join their site, start playing for real and keep playing for real, so you'll have plenty to choose from.

Here we'll look at some of the most common bonuses you may come across that can be used to play online Baccarat, ranging from those that don't require you to deposit to those you can claim just for playing!

Baccarat No-Deposit Bonuses

As the name suggests, no-deposit bonuses don't require you to deposit to claim. Typically, you'll find no-deposit bonuses presented as a free sign-up bonus. Still, it's not uncommon to find no-deposit bonuses delivered directly to certain players via email to encourage gameplay or explore a new game (so make sure you always tick that box for receiving promotional emails when joining an online casino!).

No-deposit bonuses tend to have T&Cs attached to them, such as what games you can and can't play, how much your maximum bet is, how much you have to play before a withdrawal is permitted and how much you can withdraw. Before you claim a no-deposit bonus, read through the bonus terms to know what is expected of you to be eligible.

Welcome Bonuses to Play Baccarat

One of the most common bonuses you'll receive at almost every online casino is the welcome bonus. As the name suggests, a welcome bonus is designed to encourage new players to make their first deposit. It usually consists of a percentage of whatever is deposited, up to a certain amount. However, it's also quite common to find it as a cashback offer, free spins or a combination of bonuses, free spins and cashback.

Welcome bonuses can usually be claimed simply by making your first deposit, though sometimes a bonus code will need to be entered when depositing. If you're interested in using a welcome bonus to play online Baccarat, check the T&Cs to ensure that this is permitted (some games are excluded from bonus gameplay).

Reload Bonuses for This Game

A reload bonus is a bonus offered to existing players as a way of encouraging regular deposits. Suppose you're interested in playing online Baccarat regularly. In that case, it's definitely in your interest to look out for these ongoing bonus offers as they give you an extra boost on top of your deposit.

Reload bonuses can come in several varieties, such as daily, weekly, and monthly offers. Making a qualifying deposit and using the right code within a specific timeframe is sufficient to trigger the bonus. Other reload bonuses may be one-offs or for particular games. You can usually find details of reload bonuses on the online casino's promotions or offers pages. Still, sometimes you'll get sent a personalized fill bonus offer via email, so make sure you're on that list!

Baccarat Casinos Cashback

Cashback is a slightly different type of offer compared to those covered above in that it's usually credited after the relevant gameplay, whereas you tend to get bonuses beforehand. 

Cashback generally works because your gameplay over a certain period is counted, and if you're unlucky at the tables, you'll get a certain percentage of your net losses back. While cashback on losses is the usual mechanic, you may also find cashback offers that apply to your whole gameplay, not just your losses.

It's important to note that, contrary to what the name implies, what you get back is not straight cash; it's a bonus, so we've included it here. Just like other bonuses, cashback bonuses carry wagering requirements, so check the T&Cs before claiming to ensure you know what they are.

Live Baccarat Bonuses

Bonuses can be general or specific in the types of games that you are allowed to play with them. While it's common to find bonuses available for use on slots and others that can be used on table games (great for RNG online Baccarat), you can also find bonuses specifically designed for use on live dealer games such as Live Baccarat.

If live dealer versions of Baccarat are of interest to you, these bonuses are perfect. Remember that using them to play non-live games won't contribute to the wagering requirements.

Baccarat Tournaments

Another way of getting your hands on a Baccarat bonus is by participating in tournaments. Many online casinos have a variety of contests that run regularly, where your gameplay on certain games contributes points based on how much you've played. Rankings are displayed on a leaderboard, with the top-paying positions taking home prizes such as bonuses at the end of the tournament.

Tournaments are a nice way to get something extra just for playing, so look out for table games or live dealer game tournaments where you can participate.

Now that we have covered what Baccarat is and how to play this particular online casino game, the next question is: Where is the best casino to play Baccarat online?

Online Baccarat Casinos	Our Rating	Bonus
🎰 Lemon Casino	8.6/10	100% up to C$600 + 200 FS
🍒 GGBet Casino	8.4/10	100% up to C$400 + 175 FS
🎲 VulkanVegas Casino	8.4/10	Up to C$1000 + 125 FS + 50 No Deposit FS
🃏 Barz Casino	8.5/10	50% Real Cashback
💎 Ice Casino	8.4/10	Up to C$1500 + 270 FS

For more recommendations on where to play online Baccarat, check our list of online casinos here.

How to Choose an Online Baccarat Casino

Now that you are ready to take your Baccarat game to the next level, it is important to understand what to look for when choosing a reputable online casino where to play. These are the criteria we use to assess and rate reputable online casinos:

1. Security & Licensing

Safety should be the number 1 concern for reputable casinos that offer online Baccarat and should have a valid SSL certificate. This ensures your data is secure and protected from hackers. You can easily see this by the lock icon in your browser's address bar. Your browser will notify you if the site is not secured with SSL encryption. Reputable casinos should also be licensed to ensure they meet legal gambling requirements for your location, for example, the Malta Gaming Authority, the UK Gaming Commission, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission and the Curaçao eGaming License. 

2. Banking Methods

Make sure that the casino supports your preferred payment providers and what deposit options are available. Also, check what deposit and withdrawal conditions apply. Some payment providers have restrictions, so check the casino's terms and conditions to ensure you are aware of any.

3. Casino Bonus Options

Online casinos have various casino bonuses available. Always check what criteria are required to be eligible for claiming. For example, some Welcome Bonuses may seem very generous upfront but might require strict wagering requirements before being able to cash out. 

4. Games Selection

Look at what gaming providers the casino supports, such as Games Global, Netent, Playtech, Evolution Gaming etc. These gaming providers follow strict regulations and are constantly reviewed by authorities such as eCogra to ensure they are compliant. It's also worth checking whether they have the casino games you enjoy. You don't want to sign up and deposit only to find out they don't have your favourite online Baccarat game, such as Mini Baccarat or Live Casino Baccarat, available.

5. Customer Support

All recommended casinos should have excellent customer support. Try to ensure they have a Live Chat feature for your convenience, but at the very least, they should offer 24/7 support via email or telephone.

6. Read Casino Reviews

All our reviews cover the points above and provide a rating on each. All the online Baccarat casinos we recommend must meet all the criteria above.

Ready to Play Online Baccarat for Real Money?

In conclusion, online Baccarat is an incredibly fun casino card game to play. Due to its simplicity and favourable odds, its popularity as a table game continues to rise online. Though it may seem complicated at first, online Baccarat is quite a simple game now that you know the basic rules of play.  

Whether you want to play on mobile or desktop, our recommended Baccarat casinos offer a selection of online Baccarat games to play from multiple devices such as your smartphone, tablet or computer. Most Baccarat casinos also have mobile apps for Android and iPhone available on the app store. 

So there you have it! That's the basics behind the popular game of online Baccarat. Are you excited to give it a try? Join any online casinos featured on this site, all thoroughly reviewed for quality and safety; make your first deposit, then open the game of online Baccarat and start playing!

References

• History of Baccarat (Wikipedia)

• What is behind Baccarat (Crescent)

• Why casinos love and fear Baccarat (Forbes)