A Guide to Playing Baccarat Online in 2024
Every online casino has baccarat as part of its line-up. After all, this is one of the most popular and iconic casino games in the world, and is enjoyed by huge numbers of players. Much of this popularity comes down to the fact that it’s both really easy to play, and also incredibly high on excitement. This guide will show you everything you need to get started in the world of online baccarat, so you too can experience the fun it brings to so many players.
- Find out the basic rules to online baccarat
- Discover some of the game’s long history
- See the best bets a baccarat player can make
How to Play Baccarat
Of all the games in casino, aside from perhaps roulette, baccarat is the one that comes down to chance the most. The first thing to do is decide whether to bet on the player or the banker, or to opt for the far less likely Standoff. Two cards are then dealt to both the player and the dealer, which are then assigned a score. This is done by adding up the value of the cards, with the highest total being nine. All cards from 10 through to King are worth zero points, while the others are worth their face value. If the value of the cards is more than 10, the second digit is used. So, for example, getting a 7 and an 8 would mean that the value of the hand is 5.
The player will then complete their hand. Whether they receive another card or not is determined by the ranking table – you should always look at this before you play. The dealer will then finish their hand, and the hand closest to 9 will be the winner. The way in which the game unfolds leads to loads of excitement, and the lack of skill needed to play makes it open to absolutely anyone, from beginners through to seasoned players.
Baccarat might look slightly confusing, however it is actually incredibly easy for new players to learn.
A Short History of Baccarat
Baccarat can date its origins all the way back to the 14th century, however there are disagreements regarding whether it was first seen in Italy or Spain. The fact that Baccarat stands for zero in some ancient Italian languages points to its origins being there, while the fact that royalty is recorded as playing it in France gives them a claim. Regardless though, it is still an extremely old game. In terms of its popularisation in casinos though, it seems that a game called Chemin de Fer was the first variant played, in the 1950s in Las Vegas.
It struggled to take hold in casinos though, thanks to the fact that the stakes were too high for regular players. This changed when Punto Banco arrived, which made it possible for one dealer to run the entire game. Once the game took hold in land-based casinos, it easily made the move to the online form, and the lack of dealers meant that original baccarat could be played by all players. Many online casinos now also offer baccarat as one of their live casino games, and it is one of the most popular games of this type.
Best Bets in Baccarat
When playing baccarat, you have three types of bets you can make: banker, player and Standoff. It really doesn’t matter whether you choose banker or player, as they both have exactly the same chance of winning. Most will steer clear of Standoff though, as this only pays when the round is a draw – something that doesn’t happen that often. So, the best bet is player or dealer – only those feeling lucky should opt for Standoff.
It should also be mentioned that some variations of online baccarat also have side-bets, which can come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you decide to bet on these comes down to personal preference, however it’s best to avoid them while learning the game.
The Best Baccarat Beginner’s Strategy
Baccarat might look slightly confusing, however it is actually incredibly easy for new players to learn. Beginners should take advantage of free play mode at their favourite online casino to grasp the basics, before then moving on to small stakes at a real money game. So, there’s no real strategy for beginners, except from simply watching and learning as you play. Don’t forget that the live dealers at baccarat games are often quite chatty, so you might also pick up some helpful baccarat tips and hints from them while you play.
What to Look for in an Online Baccarat Venue
There are many things to take into consideration whenever you are looking for an online casino, but perhaps the most important is the range of baccarat games that they offer. This is because some might only offer one type, while others will also have games such as Punto Banco and live dealer baccarat. It always pays to go with the one offering the biggest variety, just in case you ever fancy a slight change in the future.
Bonuses are also important, and any good online casino will offer a decent welcome bonus to new players. There’s no need to look everywhere for the best welcome bonus though, as you’ll find them all here on this site, complete with detailed reviews of each online casino offering baccarat to its players.
