Only a few live casino games can be considered a must-have for every reputable and licensed casino in the modern iGaming industry, and Live Baccarat is definitely one of them. Think of this webpage as a one-stop guide, as below you will find the top live dealer casinos and learn everything you need to know about how to play Baccarat, rules, side bets and different variants of Live Dealer Baccarat.
What Is Live Baccarat?
Live Baccarat is a live online casino game developed by Evolution Gaming that offers the same experience as playing Baccarat in a physical casino, even though it takes place online with a real dealer handling the cards while you choose your wager.
During the game of Baccarat live online play, eight decks of shuffled cards are used and stored in a device called a dealing shoe. The game allows an unlimited number of players to participate and provides a wide selection of side bets.
As Live Baccarat is available in multiple variations, there are even tables that allow you to view and manipulate the cards. The actions of gamblers placing chips on the table and, in some cases, manipulating and examining cards collectively create an impression of complexity. However, in reality, it is a remarkably uncomplicated game with three main betting options – Player, Banker and a Tie.
How To Play Baccarat Online Live
Live Baccarat is accessible on various popular devices, allowing players to enjoy the game seamlessly on desktop computers, mobile devices or tablets, which support Android and iOs operating systems. Similar to all other gaming titles developed by Evolution, Live Baccarat is regulated by reputable governing bodies, such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission. Now that you have been introduced to the basic details of the game, it is time for you to learn how to play Live Baccarat.
Rules Breakdown
With just one betting round, the Live Baccarat gameplay is fast and quite profitable. However, you can’t play the game without an understanding of the basic Live Baccarat rules:
Hand Values
Once both hands are fully revealed, the dealer examines whether the Banker’s or Player’s hand equals a total of 8 or 9, known as a natural win. If that is the case, no additional cards are dealt, and the hand concludes. If the sum exceeds ten, only the last digit is considered. For instance, if the total of the two cards is 17, the hand total becomes 7. If the hand adds up to 10, the total is 0.
If neither hand contains 8 or 9, the dealer determines if either hand qualifies for a third card, following the Third Card Rule.
| Player’s 3rd Card Options | |
|---|---|
| Hand Value | Required Action |
| 0-5 | take the third card |
| 6 or 7 | stand |
| 8 or 9 | round is over |
As for the dealer’s third card options, they are the following:
| Banker’sinitial twocards | Value of the third card drawn by Player | ||||||||||
| 3rd card is not drawn | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| 1 | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw |
| 2 | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw |
| 3 | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Stand | Draw |
| 4 | Draw | Stand | Stand | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Stand | Stand |
| 5 | Draw | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Draw | Draw | Draw | Draw | Stand | Stand |
| 6 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Draw | Draw | Stand | Stand |
| 7 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| 8 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
| 9 | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand | Stand |
Side Bets In Baccarat Live Play
To attract as many casino enthusiasts as possible to play Live Baccarat, in addition to the main Player, Banker and Tie bets, live online casinos occasionally introduce distinct side bets exclusive to their Baccarat tables.
To assist players in manoeuvring through side bets, we have compiled a comprehensive list of the most popular wagers available in the majority of licensed casinos:
| Side Bet | Wins If |
|---|---|
| Player Pair | the initial 2 cards dealt to the Player form a pair |
| Banker Pair | the Banker’s first 2 cards form a pair |
| Perfect Pair | the first 2 cards dealt to the Banker or the Player are identical in both value and suit |
| Either Pair | either the Banker’s or the Player’s hand consists of a pair |
| P Bonus / B Bonus | the Player / Banker wins the round with a natural 8 or 9, or by a margin of at least 4 points |
| Small | the game deals a total of 4 cards |
| Big | the total number of cards dealt in the game is 5 or 6 |
Live Baccarat Payout Rules
According to the Live Baccarat rules, the real-money payouts are solely based on the wager you place. Both Player and Banker bets pay out even money, with a ratio of 1:1. If you bet $2, you will win $2, resulting in a total of $4. While the odds of winning a Banker bet are the highest, keep in mind that live online casinos charge a commission on such wins of 5% or $1, depending on the gambling operator.
The Player bet offers a straightforward 1:1 payout, and there is no commission imposed by the house on player wins. As for other types of Live Baccarat bets, the payouts go as follows:
| Live Baccarat Bet | Payout |
|---|---|
| Tie | 8:1 |
| Player Pair | 11:1 |
| Banker Pair | 11:1 |
| Perfect Pair | one pair – 25:1two pairs – 200:1 |
| Either Pair | 5:1 |
| Player Bonus / Banker Bonus | 4 points – 1:15 points – 2:16 points – 4:17 points – 6:18 points – 10:19 points – 30:1 |
| Small | 1.5:1 |
| Big | 0.54:1 |
Odds And RTP
Simple and quick gameplay is not the only feature that makes Live Baccarat play so popular. The game has an ideal RTP percentage of 98.94%. Before you top up your account balance and place any type of Live Baccarat bets, we recommend you take a look at the table below, which displays RPTs for various side bets.
| Side Bet | RTP |
|---|---|
| Either Pair | 86.29% |
| Player Pair / Banker Pair | 89.64% |
| Banker Bonus | 90.63% |
| Perfect Pair | 91.95% |
| Player Bonus | 97.35% |
| Small | 94.73% |
| Big | 95.65% |
Different Baccarat Live Play Rule Variations
Live Baccarat emerges in numerous versions, each showcasing its unique set of rules and gameplay dynamics. So if you are getting tired of the classic Live Baccarat play, consider playing one of the following game variations:
- Punto Banco. It can accommodate up to 14 players at once, making it the Live Baccarat type with the most players at a table. This game typically utilizes 6–8 decks, and the Banker manages the shuffling and distribution of cards.
- Single-Play Baccarat. Here, gamblers compete against the house or dealer rather than other casino players. A player has a chance to wager on their own outcome, a Tie, or the Banker winning, as well as select the cards and other aspects of gameplay.
- Progressive Baccarat. The game slightly differs from the standard multiplayer game by incorporating additional side bets and accepting up to seven players at a table. Gamblers have the opportunity to place a new wager that guarantees them a share of a significant jackpot.
- Mini Baccarat. Being quite popular in the United States, the game features a single dealer who also acts as the Banker, differing from the standard three-dealer setup. Mini Live Baccarat is favoured for its lower bet rates compared to other game variations.
If you are a casino player with some gambling experience behind your back, you may also try playing Speed Baccarat, Baccarat Controlled Squeeze, No Commission Baccarat and Lightning Baccarat.
Baccarat Live Play: Best Tips And Strategies To Win
Similar to any other live casino game, Baccarat offers numerous tips that can enhance your experience and maximize your gambling profit. Since it relies on chance rather than casino strategy, the tips provided below do not involve decisions about when to stand or adjust your bet based on your hand. Instead, they focus on understanding the safest and riskiest wagers, as well as providing guidance on how to approach and play Live Dealer Baccarat online:
Aside from using the above-mentioned tips, you may also employ some of the most popular betting systems, namely:
Where Is The Best Place To Play Live Dealer Online Baccarat
So now that you know all the Live Baccarat basics, you may catch yourself wondering where is the best place to play Live Dealer Online Baccarat? You can enjoy playing this unique casino game on any of the reputable online live casinos displayed below, as they are recommended by a team of professional live casino reviewers.
We carefully select the best casinos that offer Live Online Baccarat, considering factors such as reputation, selection of Baccarat game variations, promotions and bonuses, payment methods, mobile compatibility, and other important criteria. Our goal is to ensure that the live dealer casino you choose provides an exceptional overall experience. So go through the list below and select the casino that offers high-quality Live Baccarat games.
Final Thoughts
As Live Online Baccarat is one of the most played casino games in the world, you should also not miss a chance to play this game, have the best time and make some profit. Now that you are well aware of all the basic rules and offered bets, there is no reason why you should not try your luck. Use our list of the top live dealer casinos that allow you to play Baccarat online live game, make your deposit and place your first winning bet.
