Along with blackjack, real money baccarat is one of the most popular table games around the world. Despite being a French game, baccarat is especially popular among Asian gamblers. When you visit the baccarat area of any casino you will undoubtedly see both high rollers and casual players alike at the tables – whether it be on the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City or elsewhere in the world.
Given its popularity, it should not come as a surprise that live baccarat is not only offered at land-based casinos but also at online casinos with live dealer games. Live dealer games offer the closest thing to a real-life casino experience without leaving your home.
Through live streaming technology, live dealer baccarat yields a real, live gaming experience where you can follow all the table action and interact with a real dealer as opposed to playing at an online casino that uses a random number generator (RNG). Throughout this article, we will cover live dealer baccarat in great detail. Including gameplay, rules, and what casinos are great options to play live dealer baccarat.
In live baccarat, gamblers should try to bet on either the player or banker’s hand. The banker’s edge has a slight edge and is considered the most profitable. However, players should remember that there is a fixed 5% commission on winning banker bets.
Where And How To Play Live Baccarat
Casino games are famous for their fast-paced nature and elaborate card setup games that are exhilarating to play. One such game is the classic baccarat that mainly focuses on betting by looking at your card hands. The popularity of baccarat teamed up with technology to give ‘live baccarat’- one of the most sought-after card games in the casino world. Scroll down to learn about live baccarat in detail.
What is Live Baccarat?
The word live is aptly used as players enjoy a live game of baccarat but at the convenience of their preferred location. Gamblers do not need to visit any brick-and-mortar casinos to enjoy a stimulating round of baccarat. Live dealer baccarat or live baccarat is a game where players can play at a casino with a live dealer at the other end through the screen. This type of baccarat allows gamblers to participate in a live table at a land-based casino without visiting one.
The players and dealers on the table are 100% real and play with you in real-time as per your schedule. Their top-of-the-class software development has made it possible to enjoy baccarat with just a stable internet connection. The main difference between online baccarat and live baccarat is the presence of the dealer. In online baccarat, you play with a random number generator, while in live dealer baccarat, you play in real-time with a live dealer. Live baccarat lets you observe the card patterns and gives you enough freedom to formulate a solid strategy.
Our Top Baccarat Recommendations
Since live baccarat is a completely interactive experience, gamblers need to be very particular with the type of sites they play on. We highly recommend playing games on systems that the following software companies engineer:
Playtech
Playtech is a giant player in the software development industry. They are relatively well-known for their RNG games, but their live dealer games are no less. Playtech offers progressive baccarat, VIP baccarat, and mini-baccarat as their reliable offerings. This company has two best-in-class life platforms with numerous Asian and European dealers. Their live studio broadcasts blackjacks, roulette, sic, baccarat, hi-lo, and much more.
NetEnt
NetEnt is thoroughly famous when it comes to mobile-friendly casinos. This company has a formal approach when it comes to live-dealer games. The croupiers are professional and well-dressed to add a layer of professionalism. Their games allow an unparalleled, fully optimized live casino experience, especially for mobile users. NetEnt is also very famous for its RNG games that have great animations and graphics that create a perfect casino atmosphere while playing.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is the most sought-after provider of live games backed with numerous years of experience. This company has earned several awards for its spotless execution and running of live dealer games in the industry. Versions like multiple camera baccarat and control squeeze give immersive experiences and add to the winning possibilities.
Our Top Casino Sites for Baccarat
#1 Jet casino
#2 Bet 365
#3 Ladbrokes
#4 888Casino
How to Play Live Baccarat- A Comprehensive Guide
Live baccarat has the exact objectives and rules like the traditional baccarat. The game is based on one primary goal: to beat the banker (dealer) by betting and having a hand value closer to 9. Gamblers can play one-on-one or play a multiple-person game with the dealer. The game usually requires eight playing decks of 52 cards each. The player needs to wager on hand that will be closest to 9 to win the round. The most exciting thing about baccarat is that you can even bet on the dealer’s hands. This game is perfect for people who wish to enjoy less complicated games with interesting bets and payouts.
Card Values
The card values and points calculation is pretty different in baccarat as compared to other card games. One most essential part of baccarat is the number nine. Nine is the highest score in this game, and any card’s value cannot be higher than this. Players need to look for cards that calculate up to or come as close to 9 to win the round. Here is how the cards work and how the points add up in live baccarat:
Picture cards and tens
All picture cards like the K, Q, J, and tens of any suit are worth zero points each.
Aces
Ace cards of any suit are worth one point.
Other numbered cards
All the cards starting from 2 to 9 are precisely worth their original numerical face value irrespective of the suit.
Quick Overview Rundown
This quick overview will help all the newbie gamblers to understand the entire process of playing a live baccarat game till the end.
1. Choosing a game
We highly recommend practicing baccarat via various online games, especially the ones that are free. Once you are well-tuned with the system, log into your account and select the version of live baccarat you wish to play. These live baccarat game tables are tablet, Pc, and mobile-friendly.
2. Choosing your stakes
You will notice a min/max stakes betting area on your baccarat table. Kindly select the chip value you wish to invest in and drag and drop them into the section.
3. Bet on banker, player, or tie
Gamblers have three options to bet on the outcomes. Gamblers can bet on the banker’s hand, player’s hand, or bet on a tie. Your objective remains the same- to bet on a hand closest to 9 but with the additional selection freedom of whose hand. If your total number sums up to a two-digit number, you need to discard the first digit to get the actual score for the round. For example, if any player is dealt with 8+3=11, the value of your hand is one. Depending on the rules and hands, you might even get dealt with a third card.
4. Understanding the final payouts
You can bet on either hand on the table. The usual payout for a winning player bet is always 1:1. However, players will win 19:20 on winning a banker’s hand because of the extra 5% commission. And lastly, players can win 8:1 when they bet on both hands ending in a tie.
5. Re-bet, clear bet, & double bet
Once the hand is over, players will be paid their winning at the exact instant. However, they have the freedom to double the bet, repeat the previous bet, clear the chip, and start again for the next hand.
Primary and Common Bets
The aim is to bet on any one of these three bets. Players must place their bets before the banker deals the cards.
Banker’s hand
A neat winning bet on a banker’s hand lets you have 1:1 or even more money. For example, If you initially bet $25, the round pays $25 minus the mandatory 5% commission.
The outcome: The banker’s hand beats the player’s while getting closer to the number 9.
Player’s hand
A winning bet always pays even money, but one needs to bet on the player’s hand in the first place to earn the profits.
The outcome: The player’s hand beats the banker’s by getting closest to the number 9.
Tie
A tie-winning bet in live baccarat pays 8:1.
The outcome: Both the banker and player have the exact total at the end of the round.
Side Bets
The primary bets remain the same in every live baccarat match, but the side bets widely differ according to the casino and software developer’s variations. You will encounter a few of these side bets in most live baccarat matches.
Pair
This side bet takes place when you wager on both the banker’s and player’s hands to form a pair. You can opt for four combinations like the player’s pair, banker’s pair, perfect pair, lastly, either or any pair.
Big and small
The big and small side bet takes place when you wager on the number of cards the player and banker have. Big wins if the cards dealt a total of 6 or 5 and small wins if the cards total 4.
Sum bonus
Sum bonus is the bet on the total and complete value of cards dealt with the player and banker. You will be awarded a win if the combined number of all the cards is 5, above 12, 18 with one 8, 18 with two or more 8s.
Progressive jackpot bets
As the name implies, a progressive jackpot bet is a common side bet with a new attached progressive jackpot. Apart from the pot, various pre-discussed hand combinations can pay from 10x to 10,000x the stake.
Dragon bonus
This dragon bonus is for when a banker has a comparatively higher value than the player, or the player has a higher value than the banker. The difference between the points of each hand then determines the bonus.
Third Card Rules
Players do not have to memorize the third card rules as the banker takes care of them, but understanding can help them play confidently.
The player is always dealt with a third card whenever the hand value sums up to less than six. Once that is done, the banker may decide whether their hand needs a third card or not.
The banker takes the help of specialized charts to understand the next move from the Draw or Stand columns from the chart. If it says D, then the banker draws a third card, and if it points to S, no further cards are dealt.
Player’s 3rd card options
One must remember that live baccarat rules call for the player to go first always. The player’s hand determines the banker’s hand. Here are the player’s 3rd card rules:
● If the gambler’s hand is a pure total of 9 or 8 points, it is considered a natural win. No additional cards are distributed.
● The gambler’s hand always stands on if the total is 6 or 7.
● When the card’s total is between 0 to 5, the player is eligible for a third card. However, if the banker has 8 or 9 point cards, the banker wins the round without drawing any third card.
Dealer’s 3rd card options
The following are the 3rd card options after the summation of the first two cards of the banker’s hand:
● Suppose the total tallies are from 0 to 2; the bank draws a third card. Bankers can avoid this draw if the player shows a natural 8 or 9.
● When the total is 3, the bank can draw if the player’s third card has 0 to 9 except for 8. The banker always stands when the player’s third card is 8.
● If the total is 4, the bank can draw a third card provided the player’s third card is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. The banker needs to stand if the player’s card has 0,1,8, or 9.
● If a banker’s total reaches 5, they can draw provided the player’s third card is 4,5,6, or 7. Banker stands if the player has 0,1,2,3,8 or 9.
● When the total sums up to 3, banks can draw if the player’s third card is 6 or 7. The dealer needs to hold if the player’s third card contains the rest of the numbers.
● If the banker totals to 7, they need to stand irrespective of the player’s cards.
● And finally, if the banker sums 8 or 9, neither party draws a third card.
Baccarat Odds and Payouts
One must note that baccarat payouts aren’t going to make you a millionaire in just one round.
The banker bet is considered the best in terms of odds and house edge. With the mere odds of 45.86% to win, casinos tend to add an extra 5% commission on each winning bet. The payout for the banker’s wager is 1:1. The player bet has odds of 44.62% and pays 1:1 without any extra commission deduction. Betting on a tie isn’t the most profitable as the odds of that happening are 9.52%, with a low payout of 8:1.
Baccarat House Edge
Live baccarat house edge is the lowest edge as compared to all casino games. The banker has the lowest house edge of 1.06%, while the tie bet offers the worst house edge of all. The side bets have a lower house edge than a tie. In theory, you have a chance of winning $98.94 for every $100 bet on the banker’s hand. Now compare this to the tie bet where you may receive $85.64. Thus, most players prefer bankers’ bets while playing this game.
Playing Strategy
The following three gameplays are the most tried and tested strategies:
● Consider picking a bet either for a player or banker and stick to till for all the rounds. This gameplay is a low-risk/low-reward strategy that is ideal if you do not want to play for a while without losing a lot.
● Another approach is increasing your bet by one chip after every loss. Similarly, decreasing the wager by one after every win. This gameplay is again a low-risk/low-reward strategy.
● You can increase and eventually start doubling down your bet after each loss, but we highly recommend this strategy if you are willing to pour in a lot of money.
Game Variations
Some of the most famous, familiar, and popular baccarat game variations include:
● Classic Baccarat
● Punto Bunco
● Chemin de Fer
● Baccarat Banque
● Speed Baccarat
● Mini Baccarat
● American Baccarat
Live Baccarat FAQs
Is live baccarat challenging to play?
No, live baccarat is genuinely one of the simplest games to play, be it online, live, or at a brick-and-mortar casino. You need to learn about the primary bets and keep betting until you win big. The banker looks at the third card rule, which means all players can enjoy the game without learning the intricate rules.
How many card decks are used in live baccarat?
Live baccarat uses more than one deck of cards, but the exact number of the deck highly varies from the game type. The most common number of decks is eight, but some casinos prefer six decks.
Can the dealer see me while playing live baccarat?
The dealer cannot see you while playing live baccarat, but they can see your name and talk to you depending on the casino and software program. Most dealers read your message and talk verbally to communicate.
What is the RTP of live baccarat?
The most accurate theoretical RTP or return to player for live baccarat is 98.94%. The RTP always remains the same no matter the casino or type of play.
What is the best bet?
In live baccarat, gamblers should try to bet on either the player or banker’s hand. The banker’s edge has a slight edge and is considered the most profitable. However, players should remember that there is a fixed 5% commission on winning banker bets.
Conclusion
Live baccarat offers the same excitement and gambling feel as a traditional baccarat play but in the comfort of your home. Live baccarat indeed provides a fully functional, intensive, and personalized experience that can make any gambler’s day in a few seconds. We hope this live baccarat guide helped you in understanding the game to its nitty-gritty. All gamblers can enjoy this game via all portable devices, so what are you waiting for?
Live Dealer Baccarat Gaming Providers
When you sign up to play at an online casino it is more than likely their games are exclusively developed and provided by one particular gaming company. Not all gaming companies who develop slot games and table games are in the business of developing live dealer casino games. However, a few of the major gaming companies do provide live dealer baccarat – and below we highlight the three most common providers.
Playtech
With three live dealer casino studios across the world, Playtech is a major player in the live dealer market. Their baccarat games are just one of many table games the company offers. They offer traditional baccarat, baccarat with a progressive, and baccarat with no commission. The dealers at Playtech live casinos speak English, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian and their games are available on both desktop and mobile devices. The variety in the game types without question makes Playtech one of the better providers of live dealer baccarat.
Evolution Gaming
Having won the EGR B2B award for Live Supplier of The Year in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 it is hard to argue that there is currently a better live dealer gaming provider than Evolution Gaming. Part of their offering includes traditional baccarat with squeeze, controlled squeeze baccarat, and baccarat with no commission.
The live gaming experience at Evolution Gaming powered live dealer casinos is world-class across the board. The interface, viewing, and dealers are all quality. The games are available for both desktop and mobile and the dealers speak a variety of different languages. Including English, German, Spanish, Greek, Italian, French, Russian, Dutch, Swedish, Flemish, Danish, and Turkish.
Microgaming
Microgaming’s claim to fame is having been responsible for developing the first true online casino in 1994. Since then, the company has grown exponentially and has extended into the live dealer casino market. The first live dealer offering was baccarat back in 2006. They also provide the Playboy Live Baccarat, which can be found at select live online casinos. Their live dealer baccarat offers easy accessibility to the rules, enhanced card sizes to improve viewing, and English speaking dealers only. Their games are available for both desktops and mobile devices.
Differences Between Live Dealer Baccarat and Online Baccarat
Below are key differences between online baccarat and live dealer baccarat:
– You have the option of slow playing your hand at live dealer casinos more so than at online casinos using an RNG.
– There is an opportunity to build a rapport and relationship (digitally) with other players at live dealer casinos. Therefore, pressure can be applied to stay with the banker or not.
– There are no significant house edge differences to note between online and live dealer baccarat.
– Live dealer baccarat tends to offer higher betting limits.
Baccarat Rules and Gameplay
The rules of baccarat will depend on which version of the game you are going to play; such as baccarat with no commission or baccarat with squeeze. Otherwise, all live dealer casinos offering baccarat are going to be using the same rules as any land-based casino.
Live dealer baccarat with zero commission means that there is no house fee associated with banker bets whereas the commission rate for live dealer baccarat games with the commission is usually 5%. However, the house edge on no commission baccarat is 1.46% compared to 1.06% for standard baccarat. So while no commission sounds enticing you should consider the house edge difference.
Squeeze play in baccarat refers to the way cards at the table are gradually revealed, which adds excitement and anticipation to the game. Squeezing cards does not have any impact on the outcome of the game nor does it change the standard rules of live dealer baccarat or baccarat elsewhere for that matter. Typically, the dealer will quickly reveal cards for the player who has the lesser total bet and will squeeze (or slowly reveal) the cards for the player with the largest bet. If all bets are equal, typically, the dealer with squeeze all cards.
Some live dealer baccarat games allow side bets, including progressives. In order to win progressive jackpots at live dealer baccarat game that offer it, you must first place a progressive side bet in addition to your tie, player, or banker wager. To win, typically, the player and banker must have a matching hand of a suited ace and an eight.
Other than the different rules and side bets available with certain game types at live dealer casinos the rules for live dealer baccarat should not be any different than what you are accustomed to.
Where To Play Live Dealer Baccarat
When it comes to choosing where to play live dealer baccarat there are definitely several options. Online casinos and even online sportsbook are making an effort to provide and offer more live dealer casino games as part of their normal offering. Below we recommend the following online casinos for live dealer baccarat.
1. Wild Casino
In the short time it has been around, Wild Casino has quickly become a go-to choice for live dealer casino gaming. The table game offering is plentiful and is well aligned with its competitors.
The live dealer baccarat at Wild Casino is one of the better games available. The offering is simple but that is what we like about it.
You can choose from two different dealers and set your own table limits. In other words, there is a small limit table, medium limit table, and a high limit table as everyone can play at the same table.
The first tier betting limits start at $5 and go up to $100. The second tier starts at $25 and goes as high as $500. And the third tier starts at $100 and goes all the way up to $5,000, which is considered high for both live dealer casinos and regular online casinos.
Once you are seated at the table you will notice one camera focused on the table and dealer, which makes viewing easy and clear. However, once the game starts the casino implements picture-in-picture maintaining the broad view while zooming in on the active hands of the player and banker. This format works well for baccarat, whereas, we did not like it for live dealer blackjack.
As mentioned previously the rules mirror those found at online casinos or land-based casinos. With that said, there are few rules at Wild Casino that we would like to highlight.
– Tie pays 8:1.
– Player pair pays 11:1.
– Dealer pair pays 11:1.
– Either pair pays 5:1.
– If the player or banker has a total of eight or nine on the first two cards no further cards are drawn as this is considered a natural and the hand is over.
– Player Dragon and Banker Dragon side bonus are available. Table payouts are available at the table.
– If a player does not draw a third card, then the bank’s hand stands on a six or higher or takes a card if their total is five or less.
In summary, the live dealer baccarat at Wild Casino is extremely easy to navigate and is highly recommended. With options to set your betting limits (including high maximums), high-quality streaming, and clearly displayed rules it is hard to argue against playing live dealer baccarat at Wild Casino.
2. Bovada
In addition to being a popular destination for online sports betting, Bovada is a fully functioning online casino and live dealer casino. Over the years, Bovada has been a go-to online casino for US-based players, especially sports bettors. Nowadays, the casino caters to just about every type of players, including those who play live dealer casino games.
The live dealer baccarat at Bovada is very much comparable to other live dealer casinos, if not better. There are two types of games to choose from baccarat and Super 6. There are four tables in total, two for each game type. Bovada uses the same dealer for all the limits. In other words, you have the option to choose your betting limits and you will play at the same table using the same dealer as everyone else.
Like Wild Casino, Bovada uses the same picture-in-picture style. One screen is a zoomed-in feed of the cards as they are dealt and the other screen provides a more broad view of the dealer and the table in general.
In terms of betting limits, they organized by in tiers. The first starts at $5 and goes as high as $100. The second tier starts at $25 and goes up to $1,000. And the third tier starts at $100 and goes up to $2,500. The limits are the same for both baccarat and Super 6.
The rules for the standard baccarat table are fairly similar to what land-based casinos offer. Below are a few of the highlighted rules for live dealer baccarat at Bovada.
– Tie pays 8:1.
– Player pair pays 11:1.
– Dealer pair pays 11:1.
– Either pair pays 5:1.
– If the player or banker has a total of eight or nine on the first two cards no further cards are drawn as this is considered a natural and the hand is over.
– Player Dragon and Banker Dragon side bonus are available. Table payouts are available at the table.
– If a player does not draw a third card, then the bank’s hand stands on a six or higher or takes a card if their total is five or less.
In regards to Super 6. The rules at Bovada are the same as standard baccarat with the exception of one particular rule. At Bovada, there is a Super 6 side bet offered as insurance. If you choose to take it you are betting that the banker will win with a score of six and it pays 12:1.
Overall, the live dealer baccarat at Bovada is very much in line with other live dealer casinos. Including various betting limits and a fairly high max bet of $2,500. What separates it from other live dealer casinos is the fact that you can play Super 6, with the same rules as their standard baccarat table.
Live Dealer Baccarat vs. Baccarat at B&M Casinos
Most live dealer table games, like live online blackjack or roulette, are fairly similar to their land based casino counterparts. That is the primary appeal of any online live dealer game, the closeness to what you would experience if you were sitting down at an actual, physical table. With that said, it is a fair assessment to say that baccarat live dealer games are least like the versions you would play at a land based casino. The excitement and overall dynamic of playing live dealer bacc just can’t compare to real casinos, and that is largely because of the unique way that baccarat tends to be played; especially at mid to high limits.
It is reasonable to assume that many mid or high limit baccarat players wouldn’t even play the game if they were unable to squeeze the cards and sit with other players at a table who are either actively betting with or against them. This level of camaraderie just can’t be matched through live dealer baccarat. Yes, dealers can and do “squeeze” the cards in some versions of live dealer bacc at online casinos, but it is nowhere near the same.
It is worth disclosing that some purist baccarat players who have only played the game in land based casinos will likely be taken aback by the format and flow of online live dealer baccarat. Since the cards are squeezed in many live games, but there are no actual players at the casino it is being dealt at, the dealers themselves are the ones who are “dramatically” squeezing the cards one at a time. The baccarat live dealers will even slowly show each side, discussing how many pips and sides there are out loud. This is just how it happens in real casinos, but it can be more frustrating to have a dealer read your losing result out loud, slowly, and with a fake dose of empathy.
While live baccarat is one of the more popular live dealer online casino games, it is the least like its real life counterpart. Some players may actually find the dealer engagement exciting in live baccarat online, but many will find it to just be too different to be truly engaging. If you are a big fan of baccarat already, it is certainly worth trying out the live dealer online version. You may end up finding it just as fun as in a casino, or you may not like it at all, but there is no harm in giving it a shot.