Baccarat Casino Game: Playing Rules & Features

Before starting to overview the baccarat game online and offline versions, we must say the rules of playing are pretty hard at first glance. However, after learning and having some gaming experience, we are sure every player can reach some success while playing this kind of game. In this article, the QYTO team want to reveal the large world of the favourite James Bond, Agent 007’s game. Here we are going to talk about baccarat card game rules, types of gameplay, tips, some strategies perhaps, and the details regarding other board games UK players can enjoy while having fun in any trusted online casino.

Baccarat Understanding: Is Baccarat a Game of Skill?

We have asked some people who only start making steps in playing online casino games — whether they know something about Baccarat or probably play it offline. About 50% of respondents answered this entertainment of chance is just a popular game played all over the world and it is often seen in movies. Well, we must admit it is a normal suggestion for beginners but more professional gamblers can say that baccarat meaning is a bit wider and deeper than it seems at the first glance.

Speaking about the real meaning of this board game, the aim of the Baccarat game is to predict whose hand will score more points and win — player and banker. It is also possible to bet on a draw, when both the player and the banker have the same number of points. However, this is a rarer situation than one side winning.

Conventional baccarat follows strict principles that may seem confusing at first, but are in fact quite elementary. This means if a player has learned the rules, participated in offline baccarat, or just tested any demo game, they can get more skillful and proficient over time. In any case, it is always good to know the rules for baccarat especially if you are playing for real money. This knowledge will save you from losing funds during the playing process. So let’s skip to the rules now.

Baccarat: How To Play this Gam

Baccarat is open to any number of players, as long as there are enough cards dealt. When dealing cards, a standard deck is used. It contains 52 cards of four suits without jokers. As you can see, the rules of baccarat are very simple, with only 3 possible outcomes in each hand:

1. a Banker;
2. a Player;
3. a Draw.

The goal of Baccarat is to score 9 points as close as possible. To get more points is not possible. If a player or banker scores 10 or more, 10 is automatically subtracted. If you want to become the best Baccarat player, the next paragraph is also for your learning.

How To Bet On Baccarat Game Online for Money

In fact, the aim of playing baccarat online is not to score 9 points. The aim is to place the correct bet on the winner. Players can bet on a draw and a player or banker to win, but not on all 3 outcomes at once. 

As we mentioned earlier, the game of Baccarat provides a strict methodology. At the start of the playing process, after bets have been placed, the banker and player each receive two cards face up. If one of them has a card total of 8 or 9, both hands are reversed and the hand closest to 9 wins. If the banker and player have the same number of points, it is a draw and the bet goes back to the player.

Depending on the number of points the player and/or banker may draw one additional card. Each hand can hold a maximum of 3 cards, and the rules for taking a third card are the same in all casinos where baccarat is available.

Drawing Rules of the Third Card

To understand how to draw third cards, players must check the values of the cards. They are the following:

• An Ace is worth 1 point;
• 7 is worth 7 points and so on; 
• Face cards – Jack, Queen, and King;
• Tens are all valued at 0.

If the banker or player receives 8 or 9 points on the first two cards, the hand is called “natural”. In this case, the hand ends and the winner is declared. If a player’s hand scores 0-5 points, a third card is drawn. If a player has 6 or 7 points (and according to the rules does not take a card), the banker takes a card if he has 0-5 points. Well, if you get the rules of third cards drawing, be sure you will understand baccarat as a result.

House Edge & Odds — Can You Really Win at Baccarat

House Edge’ is a term used to describe a casino’s mathematical advantage over a player in a commercial game of chance when played over a period of time. This advantage results in a guaranteed percentage return to the same place over time, and for the player, a guaranteed percentage loss from his bet.

These are pretty important stuff before users start playing this game for real funds. The first thing we must say, Baccarat is a casino game with a low house edge. The common house edge for the banker’s hand is 1.06%. And it means a casino takes 1.06% of all the funds a user bets on the banker’s hand while playing baccarat.

Winning a player’s hand is 1.24%. When both hands are equal — 4.84%. On average, the banker wins about 50% and the players win 49.32%.

What are the Types of Baccarat

The QYTO team compiled the most widespread and highly demanded versions of baccarat that players adore all around the world. Please check the list below:

Online Baccarat Slots

There are online software-based slots games of Baccarat where the player actually plays the hand and the cards are dealt face down. By the way, to play such games, beginners do not have to learn baccarat rules — its gameplay is pretty easy because everything happens automatically. Baccarat slot machine titles are produced by various top software providers. The most popular are Betsoft, NetEnt, Microgaming, and other leading game suppliers.

Punto Banco

The game is better known as Nevada or American Baccarat. In this case, no skill or strategy is required to win. The outcome depends solely on luck. The course of the game is determined by the rules. Regarding accessibility, this version is most often offered by online casinos. Our users must note that different versions of this card game may differ in terms of rules and winnings. The terms and conditions of Punto Banco can be adjusted and changed by a gambling operator.

Chemin De Fer

In fact, this is an original variant of the card game that is based on the fundamental roots of baccarat, which was popular in medieval France. At the beginning of the twenty-first century, finding a gambling house that offers Chemin de Fer is difficult. The majority of casinos with this game variation operate exclusively in France.

Live Baccarat Game Online

Most live dealer games including Baccarat Live are extremely popular among online casino players. And it is not just because of the atmosphere of real-time gameplay. Online players can talk freely with the dealer via live chat. A live dealer will not strike up a conversation before a participant places a bet. People can find this game at almost any online casino that has the popular Microgaming software. If users want to try it, they have to keep in mind that the live playing process is carried out in real-money mode.

Mini Baccarat

This is a simplified version of the American Baccarat game. The game also involves decks of fifty-two cards, which are dealt by the croupier. On the gaming table, each player sees a field for betting on the victory of the player, the dealer, and a draw. The size of the table is much smaller than in other types of baccarat. The rules of mini baccarat are pretty much the same as in the standard game. The only difference is that standard land-based casinos use smaller tables and the stakes are slightly lower.

Dragon Tiger

This is a fascinating card game that is considered one of the oldest games the rules of which are similar to the game of Baccarat. Dragon Tiger has originated in China. The game was first mentioned in the 14th century. Since the time of the Chinese rulers of the Shang Dynasty, Dragon Tiger has been a favourite pastime of the emperors. Today, gambling sites customers can find a lot of slot machines dedicated to this noble entertainment.

Top 3 Gambling Sites to Play Baccarat

Here is the list of 3 online casinos where Brits are allowed to enjoy their favourite table game. Please explore and compare each gambling platform here:

Slotnite

This is a gambling site licenced by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This means the operator’s activity is strictly checked and regulated. The casino offers over 2,000 game titles are available on the website. New users can obtain a welcome offer and get some Free Spins to use on the Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, or Twin Spin slots. On the site, players can enjoy such slots as Baccarat 3D or traditional Baccarat from Microgaming. The casino site is compatible with mobile devices.

Hyper Casino

The operator is controlled by the UKGC and MGA, both authoritative institutions. On the site, there are more than 700 games. At Hyper Casino, customers can play various Live Baccarat titles developed by Evolution Gaming and some video slots to enjoy. Moreover, new users are offered to claim a sign-up package worth up to £300. The support gets users’ requests via live chat and email. A mobile version of the website is available.

Sloty

The site is regulated by Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission as well. To start a gambling way in this casino, newcomers may claim a welcome promo up to £100 + 300 Free Spins to use on Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest, Red Riding Hood or Aloha slot machines. At Sloty casino, the collection of games counts over 1,300 titles from the top gaming providers. Speaking about baccarat, on the site, live Baccarat studios are waiting for fans.

Advantages: Why is Baccarat so Popular?

Online Baccarat has several advantages for online players — both beginners and professional baccarat players. All these stuff matter:

• Attractive Promotions to Gamble Baccarat. Many online baccarat sites offer very generous bonuses and ancillary programs to their players. 
• Step-by-step Playing Instructions. Most trusted online gambling sites give free guidelines on how to play. 
• Possibility to Play for Free. Online casino sites offer completely free baccarat tables, where you can try your hand, and get used to the game. 
• Chance to Feel Real Casino Atmosphere. For instance, Playtech provides Baccarat games with live dealers. This means participants can watch the progress of gameplay via live video broadcast and communicate with real croupiers via online chat.

Other Board Games to Enjoy in UK Online Casinos

Besides Baccarat, every casino customer can switch to other table games that are usually presented on most gambling sites. They are listed below:

1. Blackjack (also known as 21) — considered to be the most popular table game provided by various online casinos. The aim of the game is to get more points than the dealer, but no more than 21;
2. Roulette — this is an iconic game of chance where the dealer spins the roulette wheel in one direction, then launches the ball on it in the opposite direction. When the ball lands in one of the boxes, the dealer announces the winners;
3. Sic Bo — this is a Chinese game where three dice are used for gameplay. The goal of the game is to guess the sum of the points drawn on three dice;
4. Texas Hold’em Poker — this is one of the most demanded games in casinos online. As in classic poker, the main goal is to collect one of the prize combinations;
5. Craps — the game is similar to Sic Bo. It is a dice table game where the player can bet on the sum of the points of the two dice rolled.

In conclusion, the game is simple but a bit confusing if you are a newbie. It is great for leisure activities at an online casino. What is more, it has a higher payout percentage than the vast majority of slots. Therefore, on some iGaming sites, people cannot even wager bonuses on it: the percentage of winnings at the player can be high.