How to Play Baccarat Online
Playing baccarat online is easy. Several decks of cards are shuffled and placed into a shoe. Two cards are dealt to both the Player and Banker hands. Bet on which hand you think will total closest to 9, or if they will tie.
- A total of 8 or 9 is called a ‘natural,’ and no more cards are dealt.
- If both hands have the same total, it’s a tie.
- If neither has a natural, drawing rules decide if a third card is dealt.
Knowing the basics allows you to play most online baccarat games quickly. No special software is needed; games work on desktop and mobile browsers.
Steps to Play:
- Choose an Online Casino – Research, read reviews, and create an account at your preferred casino. Most offer free baccarat games to try.
- Browse Baccarat Games – Find baccarat games under table games or live dealer sections. Themes and graphics vary by provider.
- Learn the Game – Click on a game for rules and functions. Check odds and betting options.
- Place Your Bets – Bet on the player, banker, or tie according to game rules. Place chips as required.
- Deal the Cards – Click ‘deal’ in RNG games, or the live dealer will start once bets are in.
- Determine Winners – Winnings are automatically paid into your account based on game rules.
Card Values and Hand Scoring
In most baccarat variations, the cards are awarded points according to their face value:
- Number cards 1-9 are worth their face value (e.g. a 4 is worth 4 points)
- Tens and face cards are worth 0 points
- Aces are worth 1 point
Points for each hand are calculated by adding the values of the individual cards. For example:
- If you have an Ace and a 4, the total for the hand is 5 points
- If you have a 7 and 9, the total value is 16
- Because 16 is double digits, the first digit is dropped (the 1) and the total for the hand is 6 points
Example Game Rules for Drawing and Standing
If neither the player nor the banker wins or ties on the first hand, additional cards may be drawn under certain conditions. The player draws another card if the initial hand is 0-5 points and stands if it’s 6 or 7.
If the player stands, the banker draws a third card if the initial hand is 0-5 and stands if it’s 6 or 7. If the player draws a third card, the banker draws or stands based on the player’s third card. Rules may vary, so check the specific game rules.
PLAYER HAND VALUE |
ACTION |
1,2,3,4,5,0 |
Player draws another card. Banker draws or stands based on game rules. |
6 or 7 |
Player stands. Banker draws or stands depending on its initial hand value. |
8 or 9 |
No further cards are drawn to either hand. |
Betting Options and Payouts
In most baccarat games, there are three main betting options, each with its own odds and house edge:
- Player Bet: Bet that the player hand has a higher total value than the banker.
- Banker Bet: Bet that the banker hand has a higher total value than the player.
- Tie Bet: Bet that the player and banker hands will have the same value.
The banker bet is usually the best option due to its lower house edge, though the casino typically applies a 5% commission to winnings.
There are also various side bets, depending on the game variation. For example, you can bet if the first two cards for the player or banker will form a pair (payout 11:1) or a perfect pair (same rank and suit, payout 25:1). In Super 6 Baccarat, betting the banker wins with 6 points pays out 12:1. Side bets vary by game and casino.
BET TYPE |
PAYOUT |
HOUSE EDGE |
Player |
1:1 |
1.24% |
Banker (w/ 5% Commission) |
0.95:1 |
1.06% |
Tie Bet |
8:1 |
14.36% |
Player Pair |
11:1 |
11.25% |
Banker Pair |
11:1 |
11.25% |
Push Score on Player or Banker Bet |
Bet Returned |
0% |