Master Real Money Online Baccarat: Strategies, Guides, and Tips

Baccarat is a game that is sometimes considered to be “too difficult” by some players, but this is often due to confusion about the third card rule. When playing online baccarat, this rule is automated, making the game much simpler to understand and play.

Baccarat is a popular game in Asia, and it is available in various forms online, including without a house commission, with Super Six hands, as a live dealer game, or as a classic RNG (random number generator) baccarat game. Most online casinos offer between two and five different baccarat variants for players to try, providing a variety of options for players to enjoy.

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Baccarat Guide

Learn how to play one of the “trickiest” card games and an Asian favourite with Real.Casino’s guide to baccarat.

Online baccarat is often mistakenly labelled as a hard game to learn how to play. It needn’t be, though. The famous card game has an Italian origin and earns its bad reputation from the inclusion of a third card rule. However, as you’ll see in our guide to online baccarat, that rule is simplified when playing online. In fact, it is automated. Made popular in the James Bond movies and a particular hit in Asia, where players like to “squeeze” the cards, baccarat is far simpler than you may have otherwise been led to believe, and we’ll show you how it works right here.

What Are the Basic Rules of Baccarat?

Baccarat may initially seem complex, but its basic rules are straightforward and easy to grasp. Here’s a more detailed rundown of the fundamental rules:

  1. Objective: The primary objective in Baccarat is to bet on the hand – the player’s hand or the banker’s hand – that you think will have a total value closest to 9. Alternatively, you can also bet on a tie.
  2. Card Values: Each card has a specific value: Aces are worth 1 point, cards from 2 to 9 are worth their face values, and 10s and face cards (King, Queen, Jack) are worth 0.
  3. Hand Values: The total value of a hand is the last digit of the sum of card values. For instance, if a hand includes a 7 and a 6, the total would be 13, but the value of the hand is 3. The highest possible hand value is 9, which is also referred to as a “natural.”
  4. Betting: Before the cards are dealt, you place your bet on either the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. Note that each of these bets has different payouts and house edges.
  5. Third Card Rule: Sometimes, a third card may be dealt to either the player’s hand or the banker’s hand, depending on specific conditions. However, in online baccarat, this rule is automatically applied, so you don’t need to remember the intricate details.
  6. Winning: At the end of each round, the hand values are compared. The bet placed on the hand with a value closest to 9 wins. If there’s a tie, only the bets placed on a tie win.

How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat, while seemingly complex on the surface, is a simple game at heart. Here’s an in-depth guide to help you master its fundamentals:

  1. Place Your Bet: Every round of Baccarat starts with placing a bet. You can choose to bet on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. However, remember that each bet has its own odds and strategies associated with it.
  2. Dealing the Cards: Once the bets have been placed, two cards are dealt to the player’s hand and the banker’s hand. The values of these cards are added together to calculate the total value of each hand. Aces are worth 1 point, 2-9 are worth their face values, and 10s and face cards are worth zero.
  3. Understanding the Total: The total value of a hand can only be a single digit, ranging from 0 to 9. If the total of the cards is a two-digit number, only the second digit is considered. For instance, if a hand consists of a 6 and a 7, which adds up to 13, the value of the hand is 3.
  4. The Third Card Rule: In certain situations, a third card may be dealt to the player or the banker. The rules for this are quite complex, but in online Baccarat, this process is automated, so you don’t need to worry about it.
  5. Deciding the Winner: After the cards have been dealt, the values of the player’s hand and the banker’s hand are compared. The hand with a total value closest to 9 wins. If you’ve bet on the winning hand, you’ll receive a payout based on the hand you bet on.
  6. Understanding the Payouts: If you’ve bet on a winning banker hand, you’ll receive a payout at odds of 0.95:1 due to the 5% commission the casino takes. If you’ve bet on the player’s hand and it wins, you’ll receive a 1:1 payout. If you’ve bet on a tie and it occurs, you’ll receive a higher payout, usually at odds of 8:1 or 9:1, as ties are less likely to occur.

Remember, Baccarat is as much about strategy as it is about luck. To improve your chances of success, consider reading more about different Baccarat strategies.

Beginner Tips for Playing Baccarat

Baccarat, despite its reputation as a game for the elite, can be mastered by anyone willing to invest a little time into understanding its nuances. Here are some key tips that will give beginners a head start and enhance their overall playing experience:

  1. Banker’s Hand is Your Friend: Statistically, the banker’s hand wins more often than the player’s hand. So, when in doubt, placing your bet on the banker’s hand could be a safer bet.
  2. Beware of the Tie Bet: The tie bet may seem appealing due to its high payout, but the reality is that your chances of winning this bet are quite low. It’s often best to avoid this bet unless you’re feeling particularly lucky.
  3. Practice Makes Perfect: Take advantage of free RNG Baccarat games at online casinos to familiarize yourself with the game before wagering real money. This will help you understand the rules and strategies without any risk.
  4. Manage Your Bankroll Wisely: Baccarat can be a fast-paced game, and it’s easy to get carried away. Set a budget for yourself and stick to it. It’s better to play conservatively and extend your gameplay than to risk it all on a few hands. Check out Bankroll Management Tips for Baccarat Players: A Key to Long-term Success
  5. Betting Systems Are Not Foolproof: While betting systems like the Martingale system can help structure your gameplay, remember that they do not guarantee a win. On a losing streak, these strategies can quickly deplete your bankroll.
  6. Check the Table Limits: Always check the minimum and maximum bets at each table before you start playing. This can help you select a table that fits your budget and ensures you won’t be priced out of the game.
  7. Understand the House Edge: Different bets in Baccarat come with different house edges. Knowing these can help you make informed betting decisions. For a deeper understanding of the house edge in Baccarat, check out our article on ‘Understanding the Role of House Edge in Baccarat Betting Strategy.’

Best Baccarat Strategies


While the nature of baccarat might not lend itself to numerous strategies, there are some methods you can employ to enhance your odds. Below are a few noteworthy strategies:

1. The 1-3-2-6 Betting System: This betting system is quite popular among baccarat players due to its potential to maximize profits and minimize losses. You can learn more about this system in our 1-3-2-6 Betting System for Baccarat: A Comprehensive Guide to Winning Big.

2. The Martingale Betting System: A classic in the realm of casino games, the Martingale betting system revolves around doubling your bet after a loss. To understand how to best use this strategy in baccarat, check out The Martingale Betting System in Baccarat: Maximizing Your Winning Potential.

3. The Paroli Betting System: Known for its positive progression, the Paroli system encourages players to double their bet after a win. Explore the finer details in The Paroli Betting System for Baccarat: A Detailed Guide to a Classic Strategy.

4. Flat Betting Strategy: This simple yet effective approach involves sticking to the same bet amount throughout the game. Learn more about the Flat Betting Strategy in Baccarat: A Simple Yet Effective Approach.

5. The Fibonacci Betting System: Based on the famous Fibonacci sequence, this strategy can be quite interesting for those fond of mathematical patterns in games. Find more information in our article, The Fibonacci Betting System in Baccarat: A Guide to Its Application for Improved Results.

For those who want to delve deeper into the game mechanics, our comprehensive guide on Baccarat Tips & Strategies can provide an edge to your gaming style and enhance your baccarat experience. With detailed tips and strategic insights, you can further your understanding of the game and possibly improve your chances of success.

Remember, while these strategies can influence your betting decisions, baccarat is largely a game of chance. Therefore, it’s essential to play responsibly and ensure you’re having fun above all else.

F.A.Q's

How does the 5% commission work in baccarat?

Most baccarat games charge a 5% commission on a winning banker’s hand. This is because the banker’s hand has a marginally better chance of success. Therefore, instead of winning 1:1, as you would with a winning player hand, you’ll only receive winnings of 0.95:1 unless you’re playing No Commission Baccarat.

Can I play baccarat as a live dealer game?

Yes, you can. All the major live dealer software providers have developed at least one version of live baccarat. Moreover, some of the larger developers have produced half-a-dozen variants for you to have a stab at.

Does baccarat have side bets, such as progressive jackpots?

Not normally, no. There may be the odd one or two titles which incorporate side bets, and Evolution Gaming’s Lightning Baccarat offers multipliers. However, we’ve not come across any baccarat games that support progressive jackpot prizes.

Is it possible to play in baccarat tournaments?

Each online casino may run its own tournaments. For instance, those supporting Pragmatic Play’s Drops & Wins competitions may offer you the odd baccarat tournament. However, there are no “proper” baccarat tournaments at online casinos.

Can I wager on baccarat using cryptocurrencies?

This will depend on the game you play and the casino you choose to sign-up for. Not all online casinos accept cryptocurrencies, and even then, the availability of crypto-friendly baccarat games is down to the software providers that each casino has deals with.

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