Updated on: March 11th, 2025
Playing baccarat online provides the same sensation as when you play live at a brick-and-mortar casino. The casino card game has three popular variations, namely Punto Banco, Baccarat Banque, and Chemin de Fer. All have one thing in common, you have to create the best hand to win without going bust.
The objective is to wager on which hand—either the Player's or the Banker's—comes closest to a value of 9 with two or three cards. Australian enthusiasts can choose either side for their bets.
With differing odds for each role, this guide is designed to help you formulate the perfect baccarat strategy. Browse through our carefully curated list of Australia’s finest online baccarat casinos that come highly recommended.
Play Baccarat Online for Fun
To kickstart your journey of learning how to play baccarat Playing online requires some fundamental knowledge rules. To emerge victorious, you need to place your bet on whichever hand will score highest. Here's a concise guide on how to master online baccarat:
- Before the cards hit the table, decide your bet: will the Banker or the Player win? Or, take a chance on a tie.
- Bets locked in, two cards each are dealt to the Banker's and Player's hands.
- Adding up each card gives the total hand value.
- Winning requires your hand's total not to exceed 9.
- A third card may come into play, influencing the scores of the two-card hands.
- Prevail over the dealer's hand, and the victory is yours. Equal hands mean a tie, rewarding those who placed the tie bet while other bets are returned.
Basic Baccarat Rules
The foundational rules of the card game remain similar across all variations. In each version, two central hands are dealt: Banker and Player. Remember these key points when enjoying baccarat:
- A single hand is dealt to the Banker, and one to the Player.
- Gamblers place their bets, and the dealer announces the Player's hand.
- As cards are flipped over, their totals are compared.
- The same card-revealing and comparing process applies to the Banker’s hand, with a call to the shoe holder for a card.
- Understanding scoring is crucial when values are compared. A standard 52-card deck is used, and all face cards and tens are given a value of 0. Aces count as 1, while other cards follow their face value.
- Should your hand surpass 9, it's the last digit that counts. For example, a total of 13 translates to 3 points.
Types of Baccarat Game Variations
This casino staple has traveled globally, giving rise to diverse table game versions. Here are some well-loved variations:
Punto Banco
A favorite in the United States, tracing its roots back to Cuba. This version allows numerous players, often up to 14, to partake simultaneously.
Known as Point Bank, this takes six to eight decks, with participants challenging the house, while the casino dealer exclusively takes on the Banker role.
Baccarat Banque
Unlike Punto Banco, in this version, every player can step into the dealer's shoes, using fewer decks.
Prevalent in Europe, players are dealt three hands: one for the dealer and two for the players, on which they can place bets. Betting on the dealer's hand is not an option.
Baccarat Chemin de fer
Fondly termed “Chemmy,” this French twist involves six decks, with the house managing all shuffling. The banker distributes cards to each player, all having the chance to play banker.
Cards dealt face down allow you to decide on drawing a third. The player with the biggest bet gets the first play opportunity, following this rhythm.
Best Online Baccarat Odds
With these game mechanics down, let's discuss strategies. It's often best for Australians to bet on the Banker for optimal results. The roles of Banker and Player come with differing odds in online baccarat.
The Banker bet comes with a mere 1.06% house edge, while the Player bet's is 1.24%. A tie bet ranges from 4.85% to 14.40%, promising higher payouts but with rarer wins.
The Banker bet presents the best odds, yet a 5% commission is taken when the Banker bests the Player. Winning with a hand near 9 involves a small fee.
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Baccarat Online FAQs
Indeed, you can profit from online baccarat with the right strategy. Using a Random Number Generator (RNG), the game runs like a real casino.
Playing online, your aim is to achieve a hand total closest to 9 using two or three cards. Each role, Banker or Player, carries unique winning probabilities.
Victory comes by betting on the Banker, aiming to reach 9 with a better chance of success than betting on the Player. Refrain from betting on ties.
The top strategy insists on wagering that the Banker will triumph. Baccarat runs on streaks—a pattern emerges, stick with the Banker until it fails. A favourable 1.06% house edge makes this plausible.
No, casinos don't risk cheating in baccarat—they could lose much, including their gambling license.
You can maximize your baccarat sessions by always betting on the Banker. The strategy rides your luck with each round, boasting a 45.84% win probability. Avoid the enticing but risky tie bet.
