Baccarat online

Baccarat is a very exciting table game and is generally played by high-rollers. However, with an online version, you don’t have to spend a fortune just to participate. Even though it is a game of chance, it offers a very low house edge and great odds so, understandably, baccarat online is a popular casino game.

In this article, we will explain the main rules and features of the game. You can also learn about the odds, the different strategies that can help you win, and how you can practice free baccarat or the real-money version.

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Top-Rated Online casinos for Baccarat in Canada

Baccarat is a game whereby the croupier gathers in money with a flexible sculling oar, then rakes it home. If I could have borrowed his oar I would have stayed.

Author: Mark Twain

Online Baccarat Main Rules Explained

online baccarat - main rules eaxplained

It is easy to learn the baccarat game. Two cards are dealt each for the dealer and the player, and you can place your bet for either one of them or a tie. The two cards’ values are added up and the one closer to 9 will win the game. In some cases (according to third card rules), a third card will be drawn for either the player, the banker, or both.

Find out more from our useful guide about How to Play Baccarat!

Baccarat step-by-step

  • Choose your wager by clicking on the chip image
  • Place the bet by clicking on the Player, the Banker, or the Tie
  • There might be an option to place a side bet
  • Click on deal
  • Two or three cards will be drawn and it is decided who won the game
  • If you won, your winnings will be added to your balance
  • You can now place a new bet
Cards Value - Baccarat

Card value

In Baccarat, the cards’ suits are irrelevant, only their values matter. The face cards and 10s have zero value, while Aces have a value of 1. Cards from 2 to 9 are counted as their face value (two is worth 2 and eight is worth 8). The total value cannot exceed 9. If it does, you need to subtract 10 from the value. For example: Nine (9) + Seven (7) = 16 - 10 = 6.

Understanding Baccarat Main Features

Banker, Player, Tie bet in online baccaratThe objective of the game is to try to guess if the banker or the player will win. It is easy to place the bet and you can sit back and wait for the result. A handy baccarat scoreboard is normally displayed on the screen and, with this, you can track the previous game’s results and statistics. The main bets are:

Banker

This is usually considered the best option because the banker bet has the lowest house edge. However, this usually comes with a 5% commission.

Player

This is the second-best option. It has a higher house edge than the banker but you’re not paying a commission.

Tie

The tie bet assumes that the card values of the banker and the player will be equal. This is a risky bet but the payout is high.

8 Deck Baccarat odds and payouts Baccarat Common bets: Odds, Payouts & House Edge – 8 Deck Bet Banker Bet Player Bet Tie Bet

8 Deck Baccarat odds and payouts
Baccarat Common bets: Odds, Payouts & house Edge – 8 Deck
Bet Odds Payout House Edge %
Banker Bet 45.86% 0.95:1 1.06
Player Bet 44.62% 1:1 1.24
Tie Bet 9.52% 8:1 14.36

More variations of bets in baccarat

Online baccarat side bets explained

There may be more types of bets available for you in online baccarat but they may vary from casino to casino.

  • Casino chip

    Player pair

    This side bet pays if the first two cards dealt with the player are a pair.

  • Casino chip

    Banker pair

    This side bet pays if the first two cards dealt with the banker are a pair.

  • Casino chip

    Perfect pair

    The perfect pair will win if either the banker or the player has a pair in both rank and suit.

  • Casino chips

    Either pair

    This option pays if either the banker or the player has a pair.

     
  • Casino chip

     Panda 8

    This side bet is paid if the player wins with three cards and a total value of 8.

  • Casino chip

    Lucky 8

    This side bet is won if the total hand value is 8 and it beats the other hand.

To save you time, we’ve collected all data about side bet odds and payouts in one place:

Online Baccarat side bets - odds & payouts
Baccarat Side bets: Odds, Payouts & house Edge
Bet Odds Payout House Edge %
Player pair 7.47% 11:1 10.36
Banker Pair 7.47% 11:1 10.36
Perfect pair 3.34% 25:1 13.03
Either pair 14.2% 5:1 13.71
Panda 8 25:1 10.18
Lucky 8 4:1 13.65
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Online Baccarat Odds, House edge

Online Baccarat Odds

One of the main reasons why baccarat online is so popular with seasoned gamblers is that it offers a low house edge compared to other games of chance. If you make a banker bet, the house edge is only 1.06% while betting on the player has a house edge of 1.36%. The tie bet has a very bad house edge of 14.4% but the payout is 8 to 1.

Side bets also have a high house edge, although the payouts can be appealing. For example, a Panda 8 pays 25 to 1 and a Player’s three of a kind can pay 75 to 1.

How do odds, payouts and house edge change with different deck combinations?

Online Baccarat is typically played with eight decks. However, there are also six decks and even a single-deck baccarat option. Payouts for common bets remain the same across all deck combinations.

However you choose to spend your time, therefore, we’ve recalculated the odds for you:

Six Deck Baccarat

Six Deck baccarat odds and payouts
Bet Odds Payout House Edge %
Banker Bet 45.87% 0.95:1 1.06%
Player Bet 44.63% 1:1 1.24%
Tie Bet 9.51% 8:1 14.44%

Single–Deck Baccarat

Single-Deck baccarat
Bet Odds Payout House Edge %
Banker Bet 45.96% 0.95:1 1.01%
Player Bet 44.68% 1:1 1.29%
Tie Bet 9.36% 8:1 15.75%

Interesting Betting Strategies

There are two main types of progressive betting. With the negative progressive system, the player decreases the wager amount after every win and increases the bet after losing. The positive progressive system does the opposite. So, if you lose, you will lower the bet and, if you win, you’ll increase the bet amount.

Positive Progression system

Positive Progression system

The Paroli baccarat Canada pattern is an example of the positive progression system:

  • The idea behind the pattern is believing in winning and losing streaks
  • If streaks are indeed present, the player can maximize the hot ones and minimize losses on the cold ones
  • It doubles the bet three times in a row after every game that was won
  • If the player loses then the bet amount will be that of the original bet
  • The downside of this system is that the payer can run out of money easily
  • The system can be useful for budget control but it is not bulletproof
Negative Progression system

Negative Progression system

The Fibonacci sequence is an example of the negative progression system:

  • The point of this system is to keep the player’s losses under control
  • It gives some discipline to the game and rushed decisions can be avoided
  • Uses a row of numbers where the total of two will give the third one (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc., meaning bets of $10, $20, $30, $50, $80, $130, etc.)
  • The player goes back two steps after a win and one step forward after a loss
  • The disadvantage is that this system mainly suits high-roller players with a large bankroll
  • If the long streaks go on for a long time then the player can run out of money
5

How to Start Playing Baccarat for Real Money?

  1. Choose a baccarat casino from our list

    You’ll want to make sure you choose a reliable and honest casino where you have fair chances to win and they look after your data.

  2. Choose a good welcome bonus

    Most casinos offer great welcome bonuses to new players, however, it is always advisable to check out the wagering requirements.

  3. Make a deposit

    It is easy to deposit once you set up your account. You should be able to deposit in a variety of ways.

  4. Choose the game and wait until you will get your cards

    Once you have credits on your account, you can select your favourite game and start playing baccarat.

  5. Take a win!

    If you were lucky and won some money, it should appear in your player’s account. You can cash it out or use it for new games.

Tips which might help you to save money

  • 1-learn-the-rules-50x50s

    Learn the rules

    Even though baccarat is a game of chance, learning the rules can help you win more or at least lose less.

  • 2-never-bet-on-tie-50x50s

    Never bet on Tie

    The tie bet has a very high house edge and you are not likely to win it so, in the long run, you should avoid this type of bet.

  • 3-banker-bet-is-the-best-choice-50x50s

    Banker Bet is the best choice

    The banker bet has the lowest house edge of all bets so this is the best bet. Do check the commission percentage though.

  • 4-manage-your-bankroll-50x50s

    Manage your bankroll

    Before starting the game, decide on the maximum amount that you can afford to lose and stick to it. Chasing losses is never a good idea. Play free baccarat if your payroll is small.

  • 5-play-short-sessions-50x50s

    Play short sessions

    Baccarat is a quick game and you can lose a lot of money very quickly. When your streak turns cold, it is best to take a break.

  • 6-play-only-in-licensed-casinos-50x50s

    Play only in licensed casinos

    You do not want to give your hard-earned money to scammers. Always check if the casino you’re about to play at is licensed.

Who Will Like Online Baccarat

Who Will Like Online Baccarat

Canadians fond of action games may spin the reels of some slots (e.g. James Bond by KA Gaming) instead, as this table game is more about skills and a long-term strategy. However, we can name some advantages and explain who will like casino baccarat titles. In order to start playing, it’s enough to learn the card values (e.g. remove the digit from numbers like 13 so that they are counted as 3) and deposit to use real-money chips. After this, you aim to be the first to get 9 points. All the parts of the game are simple. However, casino members can find variations with more complicated rules that accept side bets. Thus, the table game can bring lots of fun and can be recommended to those who want to work on their strategy and try out an unusual yet accessible approach to gambling.

Baccarat Strategies & Bankroll for Different Risk Levels

After registration at a baccarat casino online, you can deposit and choose a suitable variant of betting levels and strategies to meet your bankroll and preferences. Of course, you can also try out the game for fun via the demo mode, and here are the top-3 baccarat strategies by risk levels to keep in mind:

Six Deck baccarat odds and payouts
Risk level Who can like it Baccarat strategy Optimal bankroll
Low Newbies Enjoy the basics by simply placing low bets in the main game and learning the rules this way. In this case, real-money stakes shouldn’t exceed 5% of your bankroll.
Medium Regular players If your baccarat game has a side bet option, you can opt for one. Plus, try to add betting systems. The optimal bet for this case will vary from 5% to 10% of your bankroll.
High High rollers Activate at least two side bets. In the case of success, your rewards will be higher, as well as the risks. Your bet can be equal to 10% to 20% of your bankroll per round.

Facts & Statistical Details About Baccarat

Since the baccarat casino game is really popular around the world, Canadians also enjoy it, as proven by the statistical details below. Plus, we’ve got some facts and numbers describing this game:

  • Baccarat’s historical roots trace back to 15th-century Italy, finding its way to France during the latter part of the 1700s.
  • Online baccarat stands as a well-liked digital card game, engaging players in a duel of two hands: the ‘player’ and the ‘banker’.
  • According to the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.55% from 2022 to 2027, the total revenue of card games in Canada is poised to propel, culminating in a market size forecast at US$513 million by the year 2027.
  • Over 90% of online casinos in Canada have at least three online baccarat games.
  • The virtual baccarat version adheres to the conventional 52-card deck and centres around the pursuit of achieving a hand sum closest to the numerical pinnacle of the score worth 9.

Alternatives to Baccarat: Other Tables for Canadians

On our site, you can find information about not only top-notch online baccarat real-money games but also other gambling software to experience. A Canadian bettor can try out table casino games like online blackjack, which will be similar to baccarat in terms of card counting, though the goal there will be to reach 21 rather than 9. All the software can be played on a mobile phone and you can read gambling news in English to learn more.

As for other tables that your platform can feature, these can include roulette (American or European), craps or other dice games, poker (e.g. Texas Hold'em), videopoker, bingo, and other variations from top software developers. A large number of slots will also suit players who want to make a few spins and try out some new options (e.g. popular slot machines like the Mega Moolah slot with a progressive jackpot or Space Wars by NetEnt with 40 lines).

Live vs. RNG Baccarat Games

When looking for something extraordinary in the gaming process, users can not only play baccarat titles based on RNG (Random Number Generator) but also experience real dealer games. The baccarat card rule will be the same, so you collect tens, Kings, Queens and Ace cards, and others for your hand total. So, what should a Canadian baccarat player expect from live games and how are they compared to RNG-based software?

Six Deck baccarat odds and payouts
Live Baccarat RNG Baccarat
There is a live chat that Canadians can use to get in touch with the dealer and other players and the dealer can answer you. You don’t have tools to communicate with other players, though there is a standard customer support chat if necessary.
Real-money deposits are required to start playing since the live baccarat online Canadian version has no demo mode. Your free stake can be placed even in demo mode, though you won’t get the thrill of withdrawable profit in this case.
The main advantage is that you play in real-time together with hundreds of other gamblers from all over the world. Many players can play this game at the same time, but you won’t know about this and won’t get involved that much.
Casino card games with dealers are supplied by Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, LuckyStreak, and other live brands. The top providers of RNG baccarat casino products are Playtech, Betsoft, and Games Global (Microgaming).

In both cases, you can try out all options on any portable device (apps or browser versions are great on a smartphone or a tablet). If a casino bonus is compatible with table games, you can claim it in both cases (just make sure to double-check the terms). In addition, bankroll management and other responsible gambling tips are necessary for safe real-money baccarat gameplay.

Choosing the Best Baccarat Casino

The outcomes of any round are random, so you just rely on baccarat rules and your luck. Still, choosing the best baccarat online casino in Canada is a must to have a safe game and avoid a negative experience. Our CasinoCanada team can help with this. We check out a range of details to make sure that a site is reliable and won’t disappoint gamblers with pitfalls of any kind. This is why we test the credentials of baccarat online real money sites to decide on our top casinos ratings!

  • Licensing & safety

    Licensing & safety

    These can be licenses (clickable icons) like Kahnawake, MGA, and Curacao, as well as RNG-testing certificates like GLI and eCOGRA. It is worth noting that such casinos strictly adhere to the AML policy and this logo indicates reliability.
  • Smooth payments

    Smooth payments

    Bank credit cards and lots of other methods should be accepted. Plus, we consider the payout processing time (fast withdrawals are a strength), deposit turnover, verification requirements, fees, and other essential factors.
  • Casino bonuses

    Casino bonuses

    Promotions for table games, including card games, are less frequent, so their presence is a huge plus point. We also check for personal promo codes and a robust VIP program. Furthermore, it is also important that the wagering time is optimal.
  • Mobile optimization

    Mobile optimization

    When baccarat players can open their favourite games on iOS and Android mobile devices or tablets, this is perfect for usability. If the online baccarat Canadian site does not have an application, then it must be cross-platform, like all its content.

Summary

Baccarat’s origins are French, so you may also know it as ‘Punto Banco’ – a French word. Of Italian heritage, Felix Falguiere gained renown for his association with the creation of baccarat, which became the source of his widespread recognition. At any rate, today it’s popular in many countries, including Canada. You can use a casino app or a browser version when gambling on mobile; both the graphics and options available will amaze you. There are different versions of this table game, including Chemin de Fer, where players bet against each other. Rely on this review and tips from our experts, play baccarat online at top Canadian casinos, place real-money bets with patience, and you might just feel like being in Las Vegas despite playing from anywhere!

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Lucas Goldberg
Lucas, a seasoned site editor at CasinoCanada, boasts a decade-long journey in the gambling industry with a focus on providing players with meticulous reviews and insights of online games and casinos.
Site Editor
University of Toronto
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Digital Media, and Journalism, PlayTech Analytics career, communication with users through high-quality gambling content.
Expert in:
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Reviewed by Head of Content:
Dmitry Rogalchuk
Last updated on: 20.02.2024

FAQ

🎮 Can I win at Baccarat?

Baccarat has a very low house edge, especially if you bet on the banker. It is possible to win but the key is to stop playing after you have won a significant amount.

🎮 Can I play online baccarat with other people?

If you want to play online but alongside other people, you can opt for live dealer baccarat.

🎮 Is it difficult to play baccarat?

Baccarat is a very simple game. You don’t have to do anything other than place the bet and wait for the cards to be dealt.

🎮 What’s the difference between online and live dealer baccarat?

In the online version, the computer is dealing the cards for you while, in the live dealer version, the dealer will get the cards from the shoe. The rules and the odds are the same.

🎮 Can I play baccarat online for free?

Yes, you can. Many casinos offer free baccarat games or demo versions of their real-money games to new and existing customers.

🎮 Where do I find the best baccarat casino in Canada?

On this page, we have ratings and reviews of the top baccarat casinos in Canada with a wide software selection, deposit bonuses, varied payment methods, and other perks.

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