Online Baccarat Review: Best Online Casino Table Games
When we think of Baccarat, our minds quickly wander to James Bond scenes in Thunderball and GoldenEye. While 007 undoubtedly contributed to the iconic status of this game, it is adored by players for many other reasons.
For instance, the basic rules of baccarat are straightforward to understand. It’s a game with three betting options – the players, the banker, and the tie.
Also, while strategy comes into play (as it does with all table games), luck and instinct are more influential factors in baccarat. These elements add a hint of suspense that make the gaming experience pulsating and captivating.
If you’re searching for a casino game with heart-racing and attention-grabbing action, few can compare with baccarat. In this review, we dive into the rules of online baccarat to get you started as a first-time player.
Baccarat Rules – How to Play for Beginners
Baccarat is typically played with a standard 52-card deck. Each card has a defined value. All pictured cards and 10s are worth zero, while aces count as one.
Other numbered cards in the deck retain their numeric values. Baccarat usually starts with bets from the players, after which the croupier will deal two cards on the player and banker side. Three betting options are available to players – player, banker, and tie.
The aim of the game is to wager on which hand has a value closer to nine. If the hand total on either side reaches double figures, the first number is usually taken out to determine the correct value.
For instance, if the player has a hand with two 7s to make a total of 14, they’ll take out the one to get a hand value worth four.
Player and banker wagers pay 1:1, although there’s a 5% commission attached to the banker bet. Also, winnings from the tie wager have an 8:1 payout. However, if you place a banker or player bet, and the winning result is a tie, the croupier will return your wager.
That said, there are scenarios where a third card is drawn on either the player or banker side during baccarat. The rules become slightly complicated here, but it’s still easy to grasp after a few gaming sessions. Here’s a quick breakdown of the third card rules in baccarat:
Player Draws a Third Card
Baccarat’s third card rules for players are significantly more straightforward compared to the banker’s. Usually, players must draw an additional card if they have a hand value less than six. However, they must stand if their cards are worth six or seven.
Dealer Draws a Third Card
Whether the dealer draws an additional card or not depends on the value of their current hand and the player’s third card. Here are the rules for a third card based on the dealer’s existing hand:
- Hand value equals 1-2: Dealer takes a third card unless the player draws an 8 or 9.
- Hand value equals 3: Dealer draws an additional card if the player’s third card is 0-7 or 9.
- Hand value equals 4: Dealer takes a third card if the player’s additional card is 2-7.
- Hand value equals 5: Dealer draws a third card if the player’s third card is 4-7.
- Hand value equals 6: Dealer gets an additional card if the player’s third card is 6-7.
- Hand value equals 7, 8, or 9: Dealer stands, regardless of the player’s third card value.
Baccarat Side Bets
Although the player, banker, and tie are the basic bets in online casino baccarat, some games include side wagers with higher payouts for a more exciting gaming experience.
We’ll review some of these bets below. Always check the game information section to determine the baccarat side wagers available to you at an online casino.
Perfect Pair
Betting on either the player or banker side being a pair of the same suit and rank is called the perfect pair side bet. This wager pays 25:1.
Bellagio Match
This side bet predicts that the player or banker will have a three-of-a-kind hand or three cards of the same suit. On the player’s side, this wager pays 75:1. The banker’s Bellagio match wager has a 68:1 payout.
Dragon 7
With the dragon 7, you place a wager on the banker winning with a three-card hand totalling seven. There’s a 40:1 payout attached to this bet.
All Black and All Red
You’ll win a 24:1 payout with the all black side bet if you correctly predict that the player’s hand will consist of only black cards (spades and clubs). Alternatively, you can wager on the hand featuring only red cards (diamonds and hearts) and claim a 22:1 payout.
Panda 8
Place a bet on the player beating the banker with a three-card hand worth 8 points and receive a 25:1 payout.
Double 8
The double 8 is a variation of the panda 8 that wagers on both the player and banker having a hand value of 8. You’ll win a 15:1 payout with this side bet.
Play Live Baccarat and Enjoy Spellbinding Casino Gaming
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Conclusion
Channel your inner James Bond as you play online casino baccarat. This game features straightforward rules, with a hint of suspense that elevates the experience to heart-racing levels. With innovative side bets included in the gameplay, you could even walk away with some mouth-watering payouts.
