Baccarat is a simple yet structured card game that’s widely available at online casinos. Known for its straightforward rules and fast pace, it’s one of many popular online games enjoyed by players around the world.
Online Baccarat follows the same basic format you’d find in a land-based casino, with digital or live dealers managing the cards. You can play at your own pace in random number generator (RNG)-based versions or join live tables that stream the action in real time.
Basics of Baccarat
Baccarat is a comparing card game where you bet on which of two hands — the player or the banker — will have a total closest to nine.
There’s also the option to bet on a tie if you think both hands will finish with the same total. You do not control either hand, and the cards are dealt according to fixed rules with automatic outcomes.
Card values:
- Aces are worth one
- Cards two to nine are worth their face value
- 10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings are worth zero.
The total of a hand is the sum of the card values, but only the last digit counts. For example:
- A hand with a seven and a nine totals 16, but in Baccarat, this counts as six
- A hand with a 10 and a two counts as two
- The highest possible hand is nine.
How a round plays out?
- Place your bet first – either on your hand, the banker’s hand or a tie
- Cards are dealt – two to the player and two to the banker
- Third card rules apply – in some cases, a third card can be drawn automatically based on fixed rules
- Outcome is decided – the hand closest to nine is the winner. If you place a bet on the correct outcome, your bet is paid out according to the game rules
Playing Baccarat online
Baccarat is widely available at online casinos, and it typically comes in two main formats: RNG-based games and live dealer games.
RNG Baccarat uses digital cards and is powered by random number generator software. These games are automated, which means the pace is consistent and fast.
They’re well-suited to players who prefer to play at their own speed or want to learn the rules without the pressure of a live table.
The rules and outcomes are the same as in traditional Baccarat — the main difference is that everything is handled by software rather than a live dealer.
Live dealer Baccarat, on the other hand, is streamed in real time from a purpose-built studio or casino floor. In this version, a real dealer manages the game, handles the cards, and follows the same set of rules.
You watch the action unfold on your screen and place bets using a digital interface. Some versions also include a live chat feature, which allows you to interact with the dealer or, in some cases, other players.
Both formats typically support a range of stake levels, from lower-limit tables suitable for casual play to higher-limit tables for those who prefer larger bets.
Most licensed casino platforms also include responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and session timers, to help you stay in control of your play.
