Baccarat Casinos

Baccarat: a game as old as time itself. Okay, maybe not that old—but it is a classic card game that dates back to the 15th century, known for its simple gameplay and low house edge. Here we list the best sites to enjoy this casino classic, particularly if you’re a crypto fanatic.

Baccarat Overview

Walk into any casino and you’ll find people meticulously studying a scoreboard with a bunch of red and blue circles. They’re not trying to decipher hieroglyphics, they’re just playing baccarat! The game revolves around two hands, the Player and the Banker, and your goal is to bet on which hand will have a total value closer to 9. You can also bet on a Tie if you believe both hands will end with the same value. Unlike games like poker or blackjack, baccarat doesn’t involve much strategy or decision-making, making it a game of pure chance and one of the easiest for new players to enjoy.

How to Play Baccarat

Although considered one of the simplest games, there are some rules in baccarat that might leave you scratching your head if you’re unfamiliar. The first concept to understand is that 10s and face cards are worth 0, while all other cards hold their face value. Moreover, when a total exceeds 9, you ignore the first digit. For example, if you have a total of 13, this is a score of 3. A total of 18 is a score of 8.

You have an option to bet on either Player or Banker. Once you do, the dealer will always draw two cards for both the Player and Banker. Whether a third card is drawn is dependent on the initial cards. Below are the rules for whether a third card will be drawn:

• The Player will draw a third card if they have a total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (unless the Banker has a total of 8 or 9).
• The Player will always stand with a total of 6 or higher.
  
• If the Player didn’t draw a third card, the Banker follows the same rules as the Player. Otherwise, they follow the rules below.
• If the Banker’s total is 0, 1, or 2, they always draw a third card.
• If the Banker’s total is 3, they draw a third card unless the player’s third card is an 8.
• If the Banker’s total is 4, they draw a third card if the player’s third card is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the Banker’s total is 5, they draw a third card if the player’s third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
• If the Banker’s total is 6, they draw a third card if the player’s third card is a 6 or 7.
• If the Banker’s total is 7 or higher, they always stand.

Don’t worry! You don’t have to memorize all these rules to enjoy baccarat. If you just understand that closest to 9 wins, you can typically sit back, relax, and trust that the casino are abiding by these rules.

House Edge

Observing the game for the first time, you might think baccarat is completely 50-50. However, due to the above rules differing slightly for the Player and Banker, it turns out that the Banker is slightly more likely to win each hand—about a 50.68% chance (if you ignore ties, which are a push). Because of this edge for the Banker, the casino applies a 5% commission on all winning Banker bets. For example, a winning $100 bet on Banker would return $195 ($95 profit). Player, on the other hand, simply pays 1:1. You can also bet on ties, but it typically comes with a much higher house edge. Ties typically pay 8:1, which is not nearly high enough for how infrequent they occur.

Below is a summary of the house edge for the main bets in baccarat:

Banker (0.95:1 payout): 1.06% house edge
Player (1:1 payout): 1.24% house edge
Tie (8:1 payout): 14.36% house edge

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Online Baccarat Casino

When choosing the best baccarat casino to play at, you will want to consider several factors:

1. Game Variants: There are different versions of baccarat, such as No Commission Baccarat, Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque.
2. Betting Limits: If you’re a high roller, you’ll want to make sure the casino will accept your bets.
3. Live Dealer Options: Most online casinos (and all the ones we recommend) will allow you to play live dealer baccarat, where you can interact with the dealer and fellow gamblers.

Pros & Cons of Playing Baccarat

No Commission Baccarat

Baccarat without commission on Banker bets? That sounds too good to be true. That’s because it is. You might find No Commission Baccarat at some of the online casinos we recommend. It sounds great, but as always, there is a catch. It is true that they will pay you 1:1 on Banker bets (unlike 0.95:1 in regular baccarat), but when the Banker wins with a value of 6, you only get a payout of 0.5:1. This is pretty rare, but it’s enough for the house to maintain their edge. In fact, it gives the house an even higher edge than in regular baccarat (1.46% compared to 1.06%).

In short, the math says to stick with regular baccarat, but if that constant 5% commission tends to bother you, then perhaps consider this variant.

Optimal Game Rules for Baccarat

Baccarat is a game that’s heavily influenced by chance, but understanding the basic rules can help improve your playing experience:

1. Banker Bet: Statistically, the Banker bet is the most favorable due to the house edge of around 1.06%, even with the standard 5% commission taken by the casino on winning Banker bets.
2. Player Bet: The Player bet comes with a slightly higher house edge of 1.24%. While not as advantageous as the Banker bet, it’s still a solid option.
3. Tie Bet: Avoid betting on a Tie unless you’re feeling particularly lucky. The house edge on a Tie bet is significantly higher, often around 14.36%, which makes it the least favorable option in the game.

Baccarat Tips

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your baccarat experience:

1. Bet Banker Often: The Banker bet offers the best odds, so it’s often the safest bet, despite the 5% commission.
2. Avoid the Tie Bet: While the Tie bet has a high payout, its high house edge makes it a less viable long-term strategy.
3. Manage Your Bankroll: Since baccarat is largely a game of chance, managing your bankroll effectively is crucial. Set limits before you start playing and avoid chasing losses.
4. Avoid The Gambler’s Fallacy: Remember that every hand is essentially independent and previous hands do not influence future ones.

Our Ranking Methodology

To ensure you have the best possible baccarat experience, we rank and review online baccarat casinos based on the following criteria:

• Game Variants: The casino should offer a range of baccarat games, including No Commission Baccarat.
• Bonuses for Baccarat: We prioritize casinos that offer baccarat-specific promotions such as deposit bonuses or cashback.
• Live Dealer Options: For players looking for an immersive experience, we focus on casinos that provide live dealer baccarat.
• Mobile Experience: An optimized mobile interface is important for players who want to enjoy baccarat on the go.