Best Online Baccarat Sites

What To Keep in Mind When Choosing a Baccarat Casino Site

Our team of experts at Gambling.com is passionate about all types of casino games, which, of course, includes iconic table cards games like online baccarat. Over years of experience, playing the best online casino sites has led us to the best locations to play baccarat online. When we find a casino site that matches all our criteria, we will recommend it to you right here in our baccarat guide. However, more goes into a stellar casino experience than simply hosting fantastic baccarat games.

Beyond the variety of baccarat games, we also investigate all aspects of a gambling site to bring you the complete experience while you play baccarat online. When evaluating a baccarat casino, we look closely at more criteria, including:

More Things to Consider When Choosing Where to Play Baccarat Online

Now that you understand the fundamental things to look at when choosing where to play baccarat online, it's time to look at more aspects specific to the game itself.

Online Baccarat Minimum and Maximum Bets

Baccarat rose in popularity thanks to the Royal family and James Bond, so it's no wonder that it's a game often played by the elite. Thankfully, online casinos have made it more accessible to everyday players.

While live dealer baccarat sometimes requires higher minimums than games run by a computer, it's not rare to find table limits as low as €1. Typically, online bets for computer games are capped at €200, while live dealers may accept bets up to €500.

Online Baccarat Dealer Rules

After the dealer shuffles the shoe, they will pause and call for bets. You can bet on the dealer's hand, your hand, or you can bet on a tie. After the bets are placed, the dealer puts down two cards for the player and two cards for his/her self. If either of you have a "natural" or hands resulting in scores of 8 or 9, the game is over, and winnings are paid out appropriately.

If not, a third card is dealt to the dealer and the player, and whoever is closest to 9 wins. It's important to remember that face cards and jokers count for zero points in baccarat, and totals are limited to single digits. For instance, if you have a 4 and a 7, your overall amount isn't 11. It's 1.

In addition, if you bet and win on a dealer's hand, you may be charged a commission.

Multi-Player Baccarat Games

Online baccarat games provide the fastest baccarat multi-player experiences, with deals and bets generated as soon as your turn is done. When a real dealer runs games - and then, other real players - multi-player hands can last for a minute or more.

You'll be updated as to their actions in real-time, just as they'll see yours. This feature is beneficial for fresh players who are learning baccarat odds and strategies.

The History of Baccarat Casinos

Centuries before online baccarat was available, the game originated in Italy and was earlier known as 'baccara,' meaning 'zero', which is the value of the face cards. The roots of baccarat lie in the 15th Century, although the modern game developed in the 19th Century with the French adaptation known as 'Chemin de fer'. The game itself has evolved into different forms and was only introduced into the casinos of Las Vegas in the 1950s.

Aside from the grandiose image painted of the card game by authors such as Ian Fleming, baccarat has gained popularity among high rollers thanks to the elite status it's awarded in most baccarat casinos. This status has been achieved with separate rooms and high minimums (although many casinos also run 'mini' baccarat tables on the main floor, which don't require high stakes).

When playing baccarat online, there are several different variations to choose from, including the extremely popular live dealer baccarat, which combines the convenience of playing baccarat online with the experience of a brick-and-mortar casino. Today, most online baccarat casinos offer games that are a variation of the Punto Banco (Player Banker), arguably one of the simplest forms of the game.

How to Play Baccarat Online

In Baccarat, the aim is to have the highest score. The player does not make any choices in taking extra cards; after the betting is finished, the house will deal two cards to two different hands, followed by a third according to a set of predetermined rules.

In Punto Banco, the player can bet on their hand (Punto), the banker's hand (Banco), or a tie. The values of the cards in each hand are added and compared to find a winner. The essence of the game is in predicting which hand has a total value closest to 9.

The cards that are numbered between 2 to 9 are worth their face value, the aces are worth 1 point and picture cards and tens are worth zero points. The total point value of a hand is given in single digits, taken from the rightmost figure - this means that if a hand's total worth is 16 (7 and 9, for example), it is worth six points, and the highest score for any hand is nine.

The dealer will generally announce the total, and if either the player or the banker has a total of 8 or 9, the hand is finished with the highest value hand declared the winner. If neither hand has an 8 or 9, a third card can be given to either side, dependent on the drawing rules.

Unlike Chemin de fer, which allows players to accept or decline added cards after the first deal, Punto banco has fixed betting options controlled by the casino. The game plays out according to set drawing rules, essentially making baccarat, as it is played in most contemporary locations, a game of chance that beginners can easily join.

Baccarat Casino Rules

Punto Banco baccarat is dealt from a shoe holding eight decks of cards. Once the shoe is prepared, the dealer, which can be any player based on a rotation like that used for throwing the dice in craps, then deals two cards to each player.

If the player or the banker has 8 or 9, it is known as "natural", and both hands stand. This rule overrides all other rules. If neither the player nor the banker has 8 or 9, play will go ahead.

If the player's hand has a total of 0-5, it draws a third card before standing on a total of 6 or 7. When this third card is drawn, the banker's rules become more complicated. Whether or not he takes a third card will depend on his initial total:

• The banker draws another card with a total of 2 or less, regardless of the player's card
• The banker draws another card with a total of 3 unless the player's third card is an 8
• The banker draws another card with a total of 4 if the player's third card is between 2 and 7
• The banker draws another card with a total of 5 if the player's third card is between 4 and 7
• The banker draws another card with a total of 6 if the player's third card is a 6 or 7
• The banker always stands on 7
• The cards are then totalled, and the winning players are declared.

Baccarat Casino Odds

Bets on players pay out evens and bets on the banker will pay out evens with a 5% commission taken off. A tie pays odds of 9/1. Because there are no decisions that players can use during the game, the best strategy is to reduce the house edge.

The casino has around a 14% edge on bets on a tie, so one solid piece of advice would be to never bet on a Tie. Bets on the Banker result in a commission, but the house edge is significantly reduced to just above 1% with betting on the player.

Starting to Play Baccarat Online

Once you get your head around this lengthy list of rules, the Punto Banco version of baccarat is one of the most enjoyable live casino games around. Heavily favoured with high rollers (including a particular MI6 agent) and massive in Macau, Baccarat can seem like a daunting game for beginners. Still, behind baccarat’s history, money and elegance you can find an enjoyable live casino game with plenty of reasons to play.

It is essential to understand the game's rules, and probably the easiest way to get used to it is to start playing Baccarat. You can try baccarat online at any of the best online baccarat sites to get a better feel for the game, with a real-life dealer on hand.

Suppose you do decide to play in the immersive live casino environment. In that case, it's worth considering a venue with mini or mid-mini tables on the main floor before graduating to the glitz and glamour of the high-roller tables. However, there is something to say for making a grand entrance and being guided behind the rope for a high-stakes game.

What are the Different Baccarat Casino Bonus Types? 

When you visit one of the online baccarat casinos we recommend, you can expect to find the best bonuses and promotions. As with all things in the online casino realm, there are casino bonuses you should check out and those you should avoid.

It is our job to find the online baccarat casinos that have the best bonus opportunities. To do that, we look at what promotions are on offer, how many different bonuses a casino delivers, and how often you can find hot deals. When browsing our list of top baccarat casino sites, you will find the following common bonuses:

• Welcome Bonus: Almost every online casino in Ireland will have a welcome bonus. This promotion package entices new customers to sign up and spend money on the casino site. You will usually find a welcome bonus made of a deposit match and free spins.
• Deposit Bonus: Also known as a deposit match bonus, this is perhaps the most common bonus available at online casinos. The casino site will reward you with a percentage match of a deposit you make. For example, a €20 deposit on a 100% deposit match will give you an additional €20 (€40 in total) in bonus funds.
• No Deposit Bonus: What if you could get a no deposit casino bonus in Ireland without having to deposit your own money into your casino account? Well, that is possible with the aptly named no deposit bonus. Although you are unlikely to get much bonus funds, it is still a gift and a great way to try out a new casino and its games without risking any of your own money.
• Free Spins: No games at a casino are as popular as slots, not even online baccarat. Casino operations know this, so free spins bonuses are offered to entice new players and keep existing customers happy. There are promotions where you get extra spins for a specific online slot game.

While those are the most common casino bonuses, they are not the only ones. Other frequent promotions you can find are prizes, refer a friend and cashback bonuses. Most baccarat casino sites will also have a VIP or loyalty program. Whenever you wager and spend money, the casino will reward you points towards increasingly lucrative perks.

Unfortunately, nothing in the gambling world is ever really free. In terms of bonuses, casinos place terms and conditions on promotions. The most famous are wagering requirements, which show the number of times you must bet through the bonus amount before redeeming your funds. That is why we always recommend that online baccarat players check the baccarat casino's terms and conditions.

What is the Difference between Real Money Baccarat and Free Baccarat? 

We are casino players at heart, and we love to bet with the chance of winning money. So, that is why we usually recommend playing online baccarat for real money instead of free baccarat. However, that does not mean there is no value in playing baccarat online free games. There are a few reasons why free play has some benefits when visiting a baccarat casino.

Benefits of Free Baccarat

1. If you want to practice betting patterns or game strategies, playing for free is ideal.
2. Demo games allow you to play new baccarat variants before committing your bankroll.
3. Sometimes playing for fun without the stress of gambling is worthwhile.

Benefits of Real Money Baccarat

1. It is hard to beat the excitement and drama of real-money games.
2. Winning money is always a positive.
3. Casino loyalty programs only accept real money contributions.
4. Live dealer casino games are typically for real money and are not available for free.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Live dealer games give you the familiar online baccarat experience, but with a game that includes a human dealer and is streamed to your device in real time from a remote studio location. As you might expect, this is one of the most popular ways to play baccarat online.

You get the convenience of online baccarat casino games with the authenticity and drama of a land-based casino. Our review team scours the top baccarat online casinos to find the best liver dealer games from major providers. We recommend trying live dealer baccarat for the following benefits:

Convenience: Live dealer baccarat is the solution if you want to get as close to a real casino experience without leaving home. It is an authentic casino vibe, but you call all the shots regarding when and where you play.

Human Dealer: Of course, a significant advantage of live dealer online baccarat is the human dealer. Casino websites and software developers choose top professional croupiers to serve as your dealer during gameplay. Sites also encourage customers to chat with dealers (and other players) and even engage in respectful banter.

Security: While we only recommend the most reputable baccarat casinos with the safest games from top providers, we understand some gamblers are still sceptical. With live dealer baccarat online, you can see all the action unfold in real time, which helps ease any doubts you may have.

Who Makes Baccarat Casino Software?

Baccarat is one of the most popular online casino games. Because casino software developers know gamblers like online baccarat, you can find variants from the most prominent providers. When we review baccarat casino sites, we look for venues that host a rich selection of online baccarat – and other casino games – from developers such as:

Games Global (Formally Microgaming): Noted as the most prolific creator of online casino games, Microgaming has over 800 games available and rolls out new titles regularly. Looking specifically at baccarat online, Microgaming has five classic games and three live dealer tables.

Net Entertainment:  NetEnt has become famous for the visual excellence of its games, which combine bleeding-edge graphics with immersive gameplay. While known for slots, NetEnt also has a choice of table games, including an exciting Baccarat Pro game.

Evolution Gaming: The undisputed leading provider of live dealer games. While boasting the most extensive portfolio of live dealer games, Evolution is also a classic table game specialist. The company has eight live baccarat games and a further three standard online baccarat versions.

Baccarat Casino Security

Keeping our readers safe is our number one priority. We will only recommend a baccarat casino once it passes our strict checks for security and protection, something our review team is ruthless about. No matter how good the selection of games or bonuses is, we will not list it on this page if a casino site fails our security tests.

Our casino reviewer team checks every baccarat site for licensing, encryption, privacy and data protection policies to ensure the best results. We also look at player reviews in reputable forums and our customer database to ensure the casino is trustworthy and safe. We would only list on Gambling.com casinos that have passed our security checks with stellar marks.

New Baccarat Casino Sites in Ireland

You do not have to wait long for new online casinos to pop up in Ireland, since this is the world's most lucrative online gambling market, so operators are regularly launching. While we provide you with access to the top established baccarat online casinos, a visit to Gambling.com will also point you towards the best new baccarat sites.

Yes, we concentrate on the latest and greatest. However, we do not list every new site that drops online. Instead, we apply the same critical review process as we do to any other online casino. Only the best new baccarat casino sites will make their way to our list of recommendations.

Mobile Baccarat Casinos

There is a debate about whether gambling is better on a laptop/PC or a mobile device. We will let you make your mind up, although we will say that more people in Ireland now gamble exclusively on their smartphones or tablets. With that in mind, if you are looking for online baccarat games, there is a good chance you will be playing on mobile.

Thanks to the wonders of HTML5 technology, most baccarat casino sites are responsive and optimized for mobile devices. So, you can play baccarat from your iOS, Android or Windows Phone browser. Supplying a complete mobile experience, many of our recommended baccarat casinos feature an app that you can download and install on your iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. So, whether you are looking to play baccarat on a mobile browser or native app, you are never far away from your favourite mobile casino.

Deposits and Withdrawals in Baccarat Casinos

Gone are the days when depositing and withdrawing your funds at an online casino relied on traditional banking options. Baccarat online casinos keep pace by constantly adapting their available payment methods. At the best online baccarat sites, you can find payment options covering traditional banking, digital wallets, pay-by-phone methods and even cryptocurrencies.

However, it is worth reading the terms and conditions of your chosen baccarat casino. Some venues have limitations on specific payment methods, such as excluding them from casino bonuses.

Baccarat RTP and House Edge

Every casino game has a house edge, which is the casino’s built-in statistical advantage that will make players lose a part of their wagers over the long run. It is defined as a percentage of total bets that are kept as losses. The rest of the wagers, paid out to players as winnings, are called the RTP (Return to Player).

The simple formula is: Total Wagers – House Edge = RTP

It is important to note that every outcome of a baccarat game is random, so no one particular player is set to win or lose. But in the long run, this will show the statistical distribution of wagers.

Online baccarat is popular because it has a low house edge of around 1.06% when playing as the banker. The typical baccarat house edge is slightly worse (although still excellent) at 1.24% if you are the player. For example, for every €100 played at an online baccarat table, €98.76 will be returned to players as winnings, which is a much higher RTP than many casino games.