Online Baccarat Games Guide

Read our Online Baccarat Games Guide and find out why Baccarat is one of the most played casino games, be it online or in your local casino. Why? The answer is very simple, this game is one of the easiest games, so you do not have to be in super concentration mode to play it. Baccarat is played by everyone, from beginners to professional players. Baccarat might be easy but don’t be fooled, the game has been known to make some gamblers an awful lot of money. It is known as a high roller game with thousands often resting on the turn of a single card.

Types of Baccarat Games

There are three types of baccarat; American Baccarat, Chemin de Fer, and European Baccarat. These three types share all the important qualities but there are some minor differences. I will tell you the point of baccarat, then I will describe every type of baccarat, so you should know what to do when you are playing the different variations. The goal of the game is to bet on the winning hand; the banker’s or the player’s. The hand which is closer to nine, wins. You should know the card values:

cards from 2 to 9 have face value
the 10 and the face cards are worth 0 points
the ace is worth 1 point
you score by adding the value of your two cards and reading only the right hand value of the sum. Example. 9 + 7 = 16 which reads 6
You cannot bust. Your answer will always be from 0 to 9

That is all, now you know the point of the game, you can almost play. All you have to do is to read the following section, in which I will describe in detail all three types of baccarat, then you are ready to choose the one that fits you the best and play.

American Baccarat

American baccarat, as suggested by its name, it is played mostly in America, Canada, Australia and a few other countries. In Europe, it is sometimes called Punto Banco.
The aim of the game is achieving nine points, or as close as possible.
In land based casinos this variety is played with six or eight decks, but in the case of online baccarat you can play it with only one deck of cards.
In American baccarat you play against the house
There is a casino employee, a croupier, who deals the cards. The casino usually takes 5% commission on all the hands won by the bank for this.
One of the players plays the role of the bank.
Four cards are dealt; first to the player who placed the largest bet, then to the banker and the sequence repeats itself.
The croupier then announces the winner. So, the other players have two options: they either bet on the bank hand, or on the player hand. Of course, the bets are placed before dealing the cards.
Some additional rules of American baccarat; the shoe containing the decks moves counter-clockwise. If a player does not want to play the role of the bank, he can pass over the shoe.
Another rule states that the player automatically gets another card if he has five points.

Chemin de Fer

Chemin de Fer is mostly played in France.
Six decks of cards are used for the play.
The dealer puts an amount of chips in the bank, the other players should make their bets so the sum will be at least equal to the amount placed by the dealer.
The game starts with four cards being dealt; first to the player who placed the largest bet, then to the banker and the sequence repeats itself.
The rules of Chemin de Fer are a little bit more flexible; the banker may not place a bet, and the player might choose to stand when he has five points.
There is a croupier assigned by the casino, but he does not get involved in the game, he only has to supervise if the rules are followed.

European Baccarat

European baccarat is sometimes called baccarat (en) banque.
This game is mostly played in European Casinos.
The casino assigns a croupier who will deal the cards.
The person sitting on the right of the croupier will be the bank first, the next bank will be the person on the other side of the croupier.
Unlike the other games, the shoe usually contains three decks of cards, although there might be two or four decks.
Players are not allowed to pass the shoe to other players. The betting and the dealing is the same as Chemin de Fer.

It is obvious that baccarat is a deeply personal game with all these small variances, but when you play online, the dealer is usually a virtual one. It is important to know what variety of baccarat you are playing to enhance your winning chances. The advent of Live Dealer Casinos (also known as webcam casinos) does mean that you can enjoy the subtleties for yourself, even when you are at home.

Best Online Casino offering Baccarat Games

Casino Las Vegas is powered by Playtech Gaming
You can choose to play the software driven Baccarat or Live Dealer Baccarat
Casino bonuses should not be used to play Baccarat. The game is low margin and doesn’t satisfy bonus criteria.
Casino Las Vegas is a respected online casino which can manage high roller bets comfortably.
Visit Casino Las Vegas today

Here are a few tips, which might be useful for you if you choose to play: you should always play on the bank hand, because the bank wins more often, so it is more profitable for you. You also have the option to bet on the player hand or on a tie, but you should avoid the bet on a tie, because the house edge is very high (15.75 %). In order to help you choose the best baccarat room in a casino, I will give you some advice. You should always look for a room where there are fewer decks in the shoe, the best choice is usually six decks or fewer.

Now you know something about baccarat. Do not forget; bet on the bank hand, you will win more often this way. Good luck playing!