How to Play Baccarat
The Ultimate Guide to Playing Baccarat Online
Baccarat is a legendary casino game that is the game of choice for James Bond and other high rollers. It’s also one of the easiest casino table games to play, and there are several variations for you to enjoy at Stake social casino .
Here, we explain everything you need to know about online baccarat games and walk you through the card rules, hands, and even a handy baccarat strategy you can use when playing this much-loved online casino game for free at Stake.us .
What is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a classic casino card game that dates back to nineteenth-century Europe. There are three possible outcomes at the baccarat table – Player, Banker or Tie, and your job is to predict which hand will get a score closest to nine.
Something unique about the game of baccarat is that picture cards are worth zero in the game, while aces are worth one. The game begins before the initial deal, and you must decide which of the three outcomes will win.
Baccarat is one of the most played casino games in both brick-and-mortar and online social casinos due to it's simplicity, easy to understand rules, and some of the lowest house edges.
How do You Play Baccarat Online?
Baccarat is one of the best games available at Stake social casino and is super popular due to its simplicity. There are many different forms of baccarat you can play, but fundamentally, the rules are very similar. If you’re keen to get started with baccarat at Stake.us, here are the simple steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Create an account. The first step is to create a free account at Stake.us to access our extensive game library. Simply fill out the registration form and verify your account. You will be given tokens (Gold Coins) which you can use to play baccarat or any of our social casino games online.
Step 2: Choose which baccarat game to play. At Stake.us, you will find many baccarat variations to enjoy in classic table games and live dealer games . Choose from classic Baccarat , Live Baccarat , Live Baccarat NC , and more.
Step 3: Play and win. Read your chosen title’s game rules and instructions, start playing, and win some hands.
How do Baccarat Cards Work?
To understand baccarat, you must first know that there are three possible outcomes in the game – Player, Tie, or Banker, which refers to which hand gets closest to nine to win the hand. In terms of winning amounts, player and banker win x2, while a tie wins x8.
When dealt, all number cards are worth their represented amount (8=8, for instance), aces are worth one, while face cards in Baccarat are worth zero.
What are the Basic Rules of Baccarat?
One of the best things about Baccarat is that it’s extremely easy to understand. The dealer shuffles 6 to 8 decks of cards, and the game begins with 2 cards being dealt to the Banker and the Player, concluding the initial deal.
Now, if the hand dealt is higher than 9, the combined total of the hand is calculated, and the first digit is dropped. So, for instance, if you have a hand of 9+7 = 16, your player hand would be 6.
Additionally, the following rules apply to the baccarat table:
Both are required to stand if the Player or Banker’s hand is 8 or 9.
An additional card is dealt if the Player’s hand is 5 or less.
Should the Player stand after the first deal, the Banker will hit on a total of 5 or below.
If you correctly predicted the winning hand to be the Banker’s or Player’s hand, you will win by the size of your player amount. If you correctly predicted the tie, you will win 8 to 1.
What are the Different Types of Baccarat?
Fundamentally, there are three main variants of baccarat that you can enjoy online – Punto Banco, Baccarat Chemin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque, all of which have different baccarat systems.
There are also other types of baccarat played around the world including Ruyi Baccarat, 3-Card Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Midi Baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, and Super Pan 9 Baccarat.
When you’re just starting out with baccarat, it makes sense to stick to the game’s original version, but you can mix things up and try some of the variations when you become more confident at the baccarat table.
How do You Win at Baccarat?
Winning at baccarat is all about predicting which hand at the table will be closest to nine when all cards are dealt. It's important to understand how the game is played, as well as your three main playing options and the odds of winning for each.
Baccarat Squeeze Play
Another option within online baccarat games is known as baccarat squeeze. Basically, squeeze gives you the option of peeking at your cards ever so slightly, and it has emerged from a Chinese superstition that players can change their card amount by squeezing it in a certain way!
On some baccarat games at Stake.us, the squeeze feature is available, replicating the real-life experience of sitting at a baccarat table while relying on superstition to give you the best possible hand.
Baccarat Strategies, Tips, and Tricks
Baccarat is a game of luck, so strategy will only take you so far. That being said, you can bear the following tips in mind when you take a seat at the online baccarat table:
House edge (also known as house advantage) is worth considering in baccarat (1.06% of the banker’s play and 1.24% of the player’s play). This can influence the way you approach your playing.
Mix things up by playing different variations of baccarat to keep things interesting – we have a wide selection of classic and live dealer variations of this popular game.
Research different baccarat strategies to see which works for you. The likes of the Fibonacci, Paroli, Labouchere, and D’Alembert systems are all worth checking out.
Be sure to read our how-to guides , including our ultimate guide to online social casinos or our online card game guide to ensure you have all the information you need about baccarat and other exciting games at Stake social casino. And don't forget to keep up to date with our new releases and casino bonuses to increase your chances of winning big.
Keen to explore more casino table games online? Check out our favorite games including Blackjack , Roulette , Video Poker , and more, all available to play for fun and free on our platform!
