Known as the gentlemen’s game, Baccarat has a reputation of mystery and romance. It is also often seen as one of the more complicated online casino games. The game is influenced by the European games Chemin De Fer and Punto Banco and traces back all the way to 1490, when Italian baccarat was introduced to France.
Despite the fact that online baccarat is readily available at online casinos, many players often avoid it, have never tried it or are intimidated by it, especially since it is favoured by high-rollers and experienced players.
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While Baccarat is a seemingly elite game, it is now accessible to anyone with a computer, a mobile device and a stable internet connection. While it originally had reputation as a game played exclusively by high-rollers, baccarat is now a game for everyone around the world, with many online casinos offering baccarat to play for free or real money. But, since people are still catching on to the fun and rewarding experience of online baccarat, in this guide we will look at:
- The benefits of playing baccarat online
- Why you should play baccarat online for real money
- Tips on how to improve your chances of winning
Best Online Baccarat Bonuses & Promotions
Many online casinos offer a range of bonuses and promotions offered to both new and existing players. While many of these bonuses are geared toward online slot players, many cater for table game enthusiasts as well, including online baccarat. Let’s look at some of the best bonuses and promotions available to baccarat players at online casinos.
Cashable/Non-cashable Bonuses
Casino bonuses can be quite generous, but they usually come with terms and conditions. An example of this would be that some casinos offer cashable bonuses, while others are non-cashable. What this means is that cashable bonuses are added to your account and the money can be cashed out once the conditions have been met.
On the other hand, non-cashable bonuses are awarded to boost your bankroll but forfeited when your request a withdrawal. Both are good options, although baccarat players benefit more from non-cashable bonuses as they allow you to claim thousands that can be added to your account right away and used to double or triple your average wagers.
No Deposit Bonuses
While no deposit bonuses are not as prevalent at online casinos as we wish they could be, it is still available if you know where to look. These are popular options as they award new players for joining the site, without having to make a deposit. The money is completely free for you to claim as long as you sign up to the casino. That said, these bonuses do come with wagering requirements, which must be met before you can claim the money.
Casino Promotions
These are various promotions available to registered players at an online casino. These promotions are designed to keep players interested while playing at an online casino, awarding them for playing various games and making deposits. Promotions can either be rolled out on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, while some are seasonal, for example a Christmas bonus or a Valentine’s promotion. These are usually based on specified games, and in some cases, it includes online baccarat.
VIP Schemes
Loyal players are always rewarded at online casinos, and an exclusive VIP program is a great way to do this. VIP schemes are designed to rewards players who are dedicated to the website. The more you deposit and play, the more value you have at the casino, and the more you will get rewarded. These are usually in the form of exclusive benefits and perks not available to regular players and can include cashback offers, reload bonuses, personal account manages, access to exclusive games and promotions, cash rewards, gifts, voucher and even vacations and trips.
Benefits of Playing Baccarat Online
There are many reasons to play baccarat online. Truthfully, there are some things available to online players that you cannot get at land-based casinos.
Online baccarat tournaments – These competitions and thrilling and rewarding and perfect for players with a bit of a competitive streak. Many online casinos make a special effort to make these tournaments exciting and entertaining for participants. Mini baccarat tournaments are another option for those not ready for the main tournaments, which are easy to join and feature many excellent prizes on offer.
Live dealer baccarat – Live baccarat is the best equivalent to a land-based baccarat table you can ask for. Playing online means you get to experience all the real-life action of a baccarat table without having to leave the comfort of your home. Live baccarat offers live dealers, live players and real time action streamed in high-definition quality.
Baccarat bonuses – Online players stand a chance to claim many of the generous baccarat bonuses available to online players. Whether you are a new player signing up for the first time or an existing player, casinos usually offer a range of exciting and rewarding bonuses available on a regular basis, which are not available to land-based baccarat players.
Baccarat Online Real Money vs Free Play
If you enjoy playing online casino games, then baccarat is a good option, especially since it is a unique game with many exciting moments. While games lie blackjack and roulette always take prime position at online casinos, lesser known table games like baccarat are becoming more well-known thanks to the advantage of modern technology. Baccarat has always been seen as a complicated game, but with some practice, anyone can enjoy a successful and fulfilling gaming experience playing baccarat.
Free baccarat is available at many online casinos to allow players to practice the game before betting any real money. Players that want to try out a free online version of baccarat can choose between various options, including popular versions like Punto Banco and Chemin De Fer, to name a few.
Real money baccarat, on the other hand, allows players to make real money bet online for the chance to win. Once you are fully comfortable with the game, its rules, its strategies and betting styles, players can join a real money version at any time and play for cash rewards. Before placing any real money bets, gain a solid understand of the game, including the different variations. With this knowledge, you will be able to play the most successful and fulfilling game imaginable.
Types of Online Baccarat
Like blackjack and roulette, baccarat has many different variations – some that are common and some that are not. That said, there are five main versions that are the most widely available at many online casinos. These include:
Punto Banco – This is the most common form of baccarat found at many online casinos, mainly in the US, Canada and Australia. In Punto Banco, the casino takes the role of the banker for the duration of the game. This version also follows the same standard rules of baccarat.
Chemin de Fer – This variation is most commonly found at European casinos. There are several differences between Chemin and Punto Banco, with the main one being that the role of the banker is alternated around the table.
Baccarat en Banque – This is another popular European version of baccarat. Three decks of cards are used in this version and the role of the bank is offered to the player wanting to take the most risk. This is different to Chemin de Fer, where the role of the banker is rotated around the table. The drawing rules are similar to Chemin de Fer, although this can vary depending on the casino.
Super Pan 9 – This variation is commonly found in the USA. It features a limited deck of just 36 cards. The player and the banker are each dealt 3 cards, with both having the chance to draw one more card. The ultimate goal is to get as close to a total of 9 as possible.
3 Card Baccarat – This is a popular version in Asian casinos. In this variation, only one deck of cards is used. Both the player and the banker are dealt 3 cards each and features rules that are very different from standard baccarat.
Progressive Baccarat
One of the most exciting reasons to play baccarat online is the fact that players can place a side bet for the chance to claim the progressive jackpot. The jackpot is displayed at the top of your screen, which can be shared between the payers who have also placed the side bet for the jackpot. The amount each player is eligible to win depends on the total amount of the side bets placed in that round. Before you jump in and wager money on the progressive jackpot, take some time to learn the rules of the game. That said, baccarat is a game of chance with really no skill involved, so your chances of winning are close to 50:50.
Winning Baccarat Tips
While baccarat is a game of chance, there are some tips and tricks you can implement into your gameplay to enjoy the most rewarding gaming experience.
Check the odds of the game – Before playing real money online baccarat, be sure to check the baccarat odds. Even if you don’t know the odd, you will need to verify that the information is correct so that you enjoy the best gaming experience.
Always bet on the player – While betting on the banker has better odds, you will likely end up with less than expected than if you were to wager on the player.
Quit while you’re ahead – Money management is everything while playing baccarat online. Before you start playing for real money, decide what you expect to win with your betting strategy, and how much you can afford to lose. Once you have reached that sum, quit and come back another day.
Play shorter sessions – Eventually, the house edge will get you and no betting system or strategy can help you beat the house advantage. A good idea would be to play short sessions at a time, accept any loss or profit and walk away when you have met your betting limit.
Read the terms and conditions – Before joining a new online casino or wagering any real money on a baccarat game, be sure to read the terms and conditions of the game. When considering welcome bonuses, remember that many online casinos does not always allow baccarat to count towards your wagering requirements, which is something to consider. In order to avoid any unpleasant surprises, it’s best to know upfront about the specific terms and conditions of each game or bonus.
