How to Play Baccarat Like a Pro

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to play baccarat at an online casino, you might be surprised at just how simple it is. Although many see it as a high-stakes gambler’s game, this card game is actually one of the easiest. You certainly do not have to memorize complicated rules or formulate an intricate and detailed approach to get started.

This guide will prepare you for online baccarat by providing all the important aspects you need to know. We've covered the basic rules, how to play, different versions of the game available online, and, above all, tips for keeping control. So, keep reading to get all the details.

Basic Baccarat Rules

Baccarat is a very simple card game where the aim is to guess if the Player or the Banker will be closer to nine or tie after a card draw. There aren’t any complicated rules that you need to remember or know how to play baccarat. Yours is just to make a guess and let the machine or live dealer do everything else. 

How the Cards Work

The value of each card in baccarat is pretty straightforward:

• 2 through 9: Face value (a 6 is worth 6, a 3 is worth 3, etc.)

• 10, Jack, Queen, King: Worth 0

• Ace: Worth 1

You add up the total points in the hand. If the total is higher than 9, only the last digit counts. For example:

• A hand with a 7 and an 8 equals 15, but it’s scored as 5

• A hand with a 2 and a 6 equals 8

This makes baccarat super easy to follow because you don’t have to do any complicated math. The software or live dealer takes care of everything.

Types of Bets You Can Make

In the baccarat game, there are three main bets:  

• Banker Bet: You're betting that the Banker hand will win. This is the most favorable wager in the game, with a winning probability of nearly 45.8%. Most casinos take a 5% commission off this win to level out the game.  

• Player Bet: In this option, you're wagering that the Player hand will win. Slightly less frequent than the Banker hand, this wager pays 1:1 without commission.  

• Tie Bet: This is a wager that both the Banker's and Player's hands will end in a tie. It usually pays 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the casino. The downside? It’s extremely rare, often happening less than 10% of the time.  

A few side bets are also available in some baccarat games, including the "Player Pair" and "Banker Pair," where you win if the first two cards are a pair. These bets offer some entertainment but are less favorable in terms of odds.

How to Play Baccarat Online

You can play baccarat online, even if it's your first time, as the games are seamless and quick. Here's how it works, step by step. 

1. Select Your Game

Log in to your online casino account and choose a baccarat game from the lobby. You might see the following options:  

• Standard baccarat

• No commission baccarat

• Live dealer baccarat

• Mini baccarat or Speed baccarat

If you’re a beginner, we recommend starting off with regular baccarat, especially in demo mode.  

2. Make Your Bet  

You’ll need to place a bet before any of the cards are dealt. Typically, you’ll be looking at some digital chips, which you can “click” to select your amount, and then you’ll tap on Player, Banker, or Tie to finalize the bet.  

Most games have a fixed time or countdown between rounds. You will be granted a couple of seconds to make your decision.  

3. Cards Dealt Automatically

After putting in your wager, either a live dealer or a tool will deal two cards apiece to the Player and the Banker. You don’t have to do anything manually, as all actions are automated, and you’ll see the cards nicely displayed on your screen.  

• If either hand totals 8 or 9, which is a "natural," the round is concluded.

• If not, a third card may be drawn based on specific rules. No need to worry about this, as the software takes care of everything.

4. The Winner Is Announced

After all the cards have been distributed, the totals are evaluated, and the winner is announced. As long as your wager is correct, you’ll get a payout in real time. Otherwise, the game proceeds to the next round, and you’ve lost your chips. 

You can repeat your last wager, make a call, or even switch sides completely. Rounds move quickly, which is why it’s important to manage your bankroll wisely.

Six Tips for Playing Baccarat

While baccarat is primarily luck based, there are a few moves that can help make your experience enjoyable and your bankroll healthy. Take a look at the list below.

1. Stick to the Banker Bet

Betting on the Banker's hand has the best chances, statistically speaking. That’s why the casino charges a small commission. You’ll also find that a lot of players choose to stay on Banker until it loses and then subsequently switch. This isn’t guaranteed success, but it is a low-risk approach to take.

2. Avoid the Tie Bet

Yes, it pays 8:1 or 9:1, but Tie bets rarely win; only about 9% of the time. This means the house advantage on Tie bets rises above 14%, which isn't good news. Unless you're just having fun or playing small amounts, we say it’s best you avoid this bet. 

3. Don’t Rely on Betting Systems

You’ll likely come across systems like the Martingale or Paroli strategies, where bets are increased or decreased depending on previous outcomes. While they may seem logical, they do nothing to change the odds of the game. No system will ever assure you a winning outcome. Only use them if they encourage discipline, not if you believe they’ll outsmart the game. The best baccarat strategies aren't focused on a particular system, but instead try to negate the house edge as much as possible by picking the best possible bet.

4. Watch the Game First

As a newcomer, it is best to experience a couple of rounds passively before actual wagering. Most online platforms will permit users to join tables and observe gameplay without active participation. This makes it easy for you to understand the pace of the game, how the cards are dealt, and when they can engage.

5. Set a Loss Limit and Stick to It

Figure out how much you are willing to lose before you start playing. Once you reach that number, make sure you walk away. Do not try to win back the amount by doubling your bets, as that is where lots of players get it wrong.

6. Watch the Pace

Some variations of online baccarat, like Speed Baccarat and Mini Baccarat, can finish in less than fifteen seconds. If you aren't cautious, this can quickly deplete your budget. Think about taking frequent rests or playing at a slower table.

Different Baccarat Variants at Online Casinos

Online casinos offer several baccarat variations to keep things fresh, but don’t expect too much. It’s a very simple game, and even the best US online casinos only have somewhere around 10 different versions. 

We’ll walk you through the most common versions and what makes them unique:

EZ Baccarat

This version plays like traditional baccarat but removes the 5% commission on Banker wins, speeding up gameplay. It also introduces two unique side bets: Dragon 7 (a three-card Banker win totaling 7) and Panda 8 (a three-card Player win totaling 8).

Golden Wealth Baccarat

Golden Wealth Baccarat uses random golden cards with multipliers that apply to winning bets, but unlike Lightning Baccarat, it always selects five multiplier cards per round. It emphasizes frequent enhanced rounds and trades the traditional card squeeze for a more stylized, fast-paced experience.

High Limit Baccarat Squeeze

In this version, the game mimics the slow card-reveal ritual known as the “squeeze,” popular in VIP rooms. Only high-limit tables offer it, and players can control the squeeze animation themselves, making it feel more tactile and immersive.

Lunar New Year Baccarat

This is a reskinned version of traditional baccarat with visuals and music themed around Chinese New Year. The gameplay rules remain standard, but it’s meant to offer a seasonal and cultural presentation without altering the mechanics.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Live dealer games come right after physical casinos. You get a nice video feed of a real dealer who is dealing cards at a real table. You can participate through chat and watch the action happen in real time. These games usually include real-time stats, multiple camera angles, and options to switch tables or angles. Live dealer baccarat is for you if you want a lovely casino feel from your couch.

Responsible Gambling

Playing baccarat online should always be fun, not stressful. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, especially when things are going your way or not. That’s why responsible gambling is so important.

Tips for Staying in Control

Below are some expert tips you can use to control your habits when playing baccarat:

• Split your budget: Don’t put all your bankroll on the line in one shot; split it up into smaller bets. If you have $100, you might want to use only $10 for one session. This way, you can have enough funds to play for longer. It helps to make sure you don't burn through your funds faster. 

• Schedule breaks: Know when to throw in the towel and break a little. Fortunately, a few casinos have a timer or establish a round limit so that you can see how long you’ve been playing.

• Don’t gamble when you’re upset: If you’re having a bad day, a stressful day, don’t play baccarat. You need to have a clear and cool head to make the right decision.

• Avoid chasing losses: It’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to win back what you've lost. But from experience, this can lead to more losses. Instead, move on and accept them as part of the game.

• Use tools offered by casinos: Most online casinos provide tools like deposit limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion options. Utilize them to take full control over your habits. 

Resources for Help

If gambling starts feeling less like a game and more like a problem, it’s time to take a step back. Help is available, and you’re not alone. Check out these resources:

• National Council on Problem Gambling – Offers support, education, and a 24-hour helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.

• Gamblers Anonymous – A community-driven recovery program.

Visit our responsible gambling center to find out more about it and learn how to avoid and recognize early signs of the problem.