Baccarat is the favorite game of no one else but James Bond himself! But that is not the only reason why it has a permanent place in online casinos to this day. The best baccarat casinos online offer you different variants of this classic. You can even try your luck at the live dealer tables.
Here you will find the most popular variations of this card game for Canadian players. We’ll walk you through your possible options and also share some hints for successful gameplay!
Baccarat Game Rules
With online baccarat, the aim is to achieve 9 points or at least a higher total than the banker with a maximum of three cards. The points of the cards correspond to the printed numbers, as well as 1 point for ace and 0 points for face cards. If the sum of the cards exceeds 10, only one place is taken into account. For example, a point total of 16 counts as 6.
At the beginning of the game, you place your bet. Decide whether to bet on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or on a tie. The specific betting limits for a game round depend on the game variant, the game provider or the online casino.
Basically, the player and the banker are dealt two cards. Whether a third card is dealt depends on the points totals of both parties. With online baccarat, this is done automatically by the software. The only exception is the total of points 5. Depending on the game variant, you can decide for yourself whether you want to pass or draw another card.
Tips For Playing Baccarat
In the Baccarat card game, the outcome of the game is determined to a far greater extent by chance than in blackjack. Accordingly, you should be prepared to leave the table without any profit. So keep a few rules of thumb in mind:
- The bet on the banker also promises the best chances in baccarat in the online casino, because the house advantage is only 1.06%.
- If you bet on the player, the house edge is only slightly higher, namely 1.24%.
- Bets on the banker offer a high chance of winning but require a fee, the so-called commission, of 5% if you win. The only exception is when you play the no commission variant.
- The bet on a tie seems tempting with an 8: 1 payout, but is less recommended with a house edge of over 14%.
- First, play baccarat for free until you have mastered the supposedly complicated rules of the game. You can play baccarat free games right here at CanadaGamblingOnline.com.
- Always keep an eye on your real money bankroll and do not chase losses!
Baccarat Live Casino Games
Live games are more and more the big trend in online casinos. Live baccarat is of course also included. So you can play baccarat live and have a real croupier serve you in real-time. Many casino providers that we recommend offer baccarat in the live casino, in addition to other well-known table games such as blackjack or roulette.
Ultimately, the mindset that leads to success when you play baccarat in the online casino is no different from one in blackjack. It is based on the same mathematical mechanisms and the rules of baccarat are similar to blackjack, so previous knowledge of the game can be helpful.
The live baccarat dealer is located in a replica casino and distributes the cards there. You give him your stake via a control console on the website and can sometimes even communicate with the other players – almost like at a real gaming table in a casino.
If you want to experience exactly that real casino feeling, it is best to play in one of the baccarat online casinos that we have tested for you. So you don’t have to go through the hassle yourself to find out where online baccarat is most beneficial. We’ll show you the best live baccarat casinos for Canadian players, where you can experience live baccarat with a real dealer.
Various Baccarat Games Online
Baccarat is not just baccarat. There are many different variants of this game, some of which also have similar names. Regarding the name of the game, there are different origins to this. One such approach is based on the assumption that the word baccarat comes from an ancient Italian dialect in which the word denoted zero. Another approach is that the game should come from the city of Baccarat in northeastern France.
– Punto Banco
Punto Banco is the version of baccarat that you will find in most online casinos. When a game is simply referred to as Baccarat, in most cases it is also Punto Banco. There are two hands: “Punto” for the player, “Banco” for the bank. This version is the easiest to understand as a video game.
Depending on the total number of cards, additional cards are dealt after two cards. If the player (punto) holds a value of zero to five points with two cards in hand, he receives another card. With six or seven points he receives no more cards and has to hope that the bank (Banco) has received a lower value or that there is at least a tie. You play Punto Banco online with eight decks of cards.
Depending on the outcome of the game, Punto Banco is one of the games with the lowest house edge in the casino. A clear result, either punto or banco, gives the casino an advantage of just over 1%. The bet on a clear result is almost a safe business. However, if the result is a draw, the situation changes. Then the casino suddenly has a very high house edge of sometimes more than 14%.
– Chemin de Fer
In France in the 19th century, a version of baccarat was established that allows the game to run faster than punto banco. It is known as “Chemin de Fer” because the sledge with the cards moves in a circle like a railway carriage (a French language based connotation). The game played with six decks of cards is still the most popular version of baccarat in France.
But how does this game variant work? One of the players at the usually oval table represents the bank. He makes the first bid and the other players have the choice of either calling or playing against the bank. This is the player at the table with the highest stake, representing all the players at the table. Incidentally, high stakes are the order of the day at baccarat game variants such as Chemin de Fer.
The cards are dealt by the dealer, who usually has no other duties in baccarat. If the two cards of the bank or the first player have a value of eight or nine, all cards are immediately turned over and a comparison is made. If this is not the case, the player has the choice of receiving another card face up, but can also turn down this option.
The exercise of the option depends on what value he has so far held in his hands. In practice, a card is picked up for four points or less, but not for six or seven points. If the bank wins, all players have lost their bets. If the player wins, all players at the table receive their stake plus part of the bank’s stake as a profit.
FAQ
Is there an online baccarat strategy?
Compared to blackjack, baccarat can hardly be influenced by your own decisions and is practically only dependent on chance and luck. Accordingly, there is no such thing as a strategy for online baccarat. However, as with any other game of chance, good bankroll management helps to avoid large losses and to secure profits.
How can I increase my chances of winning?
Baccarat is a game in which players compete against each other at the table. One acts as a bank, another as a player. The casino's house edge over the bank is minimally less than it does over the player. As a bank, your chances of winning at baccarat always increase. But keep in mind that many variants pay a 5% commission on banker's profits.
Can you be cheated on while playing online baccarat?
At CanadaGamblingOnline.com we only recommend online casinos that are safe and trustworthy. We have checked all of these casinos for their reliability and you can be sure that everything is going well in these casinos. Alternatively, you can look for a seal of approval from an independent player protection group such as eCOGRA on the casino's homepage.
Can you play the game for free?
Yes, that is possible. Most providers also offer online baccarat as a free demo game with play money. Take advantage of this option and do a little practice before venturing to the real money tables.
Are online baccarat games available on mobile?
They are. Modern casino operators in Canada offer optimised gaming experience to all mobile players. Baccarat is not an exception and can be played across different mobile devices.
