How to Play Baccarat Online
Learn how to play Baccarat online, covering everything from the fundamentals of Punto Banco – by far the most common version – to an overview of Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque. You’ll learn the game’s rules, card values, and betting options, making it easy to see why Baccarat remains a casino favorite.
- Baccarat Rules
- Main and Side Bets
- Baccarat Variants
- Things to Remember When Playing
- Step-by-Step Guide
- FAQs
Basic Rules of Baccarat
The Baccarat game rules are surprisingly simple for a card game that’s been played for many hundreds of years.
It is important to know that Baccarat is a general term just like poker. When people talk about poker, they often mean the Texas Hold’em variant, and when people talk about Baccarat, they generally mean Punto Banco, even though there are other versions. Chemin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque are less popular versions that are harder to find, but are still offered at some casinos. However Punto Banco is the most common version and when the best casinos to play Baccarat online offer variations such as Lightning Baccarat or Mini-Baccarat, these are variations of Punto Banco.
This guide covers how to play the Baccarat card game step by step, from placing your bet to understanding payout structures.
How does baccarat work?
Baccarat is a straightforward contest between two hand – “Player” and “Banker” – and you win by correctly betting on which will finish closest to 9.
There are three possible outcomes: Player wins, Banker wins, or Tie. A point that often confuses newcomers is that the “Player” hand doesn’t refer to you. In Baccarat, you’re the ‘bettor’, not the player and you are free to back either side (or a Tie). If you bet on Banker and that hand wins, you win – so don’t let the name “Player” hand mislead you.
Table Layout
When it comes to table games in casinos, a standard size Baccarat table is one of the largest you can find. Although Craps tables might be bigger in size, they won’t seat up to 14 players and three dealers at the same time. For this reason Baccarat is usually played at a half sized table with half the number of bettors and just one dealer. Like this the table somewhat resembles a Blackjack table, a semicircle with the participants at the rounded side facing the dealer.
What you will immediately notice are the numbered boxes and three betting fields per bettor. The numbers on the table do not play a role in the game, they just indicate the number of seats. The betting fields do of course matter, this is where the bets are placed.
The three betting fields are marked for each of the three possible outcomes: player win, bank win, or draw. In official terms: Punto, Banco or Égalité. In addition, there is a ‘commission box’ but we will discuss that later in the bets, as well as possible fields for side bets.
Baccarat Card Values
You could say that Baccarat resembles Blackjack because both games revolve around hitting an optimal score – 21 in Blackjack, 9 in Baccarat – but the games have fundamental differences, to start with the card values.
Baccarat is generally played with six or eight decks of cards, placed in a shoe, a device that holds multiple decks of shuffled cards. All cards, except the jokers, are used and have the following values:
- Numbers 2 to 9 – their face value – 2 to 9 points
- 10, Jack, Queen and King – 0 points
- Aces – 1 point
Another difference is that it is not possible to ‘bust’ in Baccarat. When the cards add up to more than nine points, ten points are deducted from the total, so that the score is always between zero and eight points.
For example a 5 and a 6, for a total of 11 points, counts as a score of 1. The highest combination, two nines, results in a score of 18 – 10 = 8 points.
Course of a Baccarat round
Whether you play Live or Virtual Baccarat (on a machine), Baccarat is a fast game because all dealing and decisions happen automatically. Each round looks like this:
- Bets are placed
- The cards are dealt; two for the player and two for the bank
- The points are added up
- If necessary, third cards are dealt
- The winner is determined
After the winner has been determined and the winnings and losses have been settled, it is time for the next round.
Rules for the Third Card
Whether or not the player gets a third card is quite easy to determine based on the following three rules:
- 8 or 9 points, this is called a ‘natural’ and the game ends immediately.
- 6 or 7 points, player must pass
- 0-5 points, player gets a third card
For the bank, the rules can be a bit more elaborate. The first thing to look at is what the player has done. If the player has not received a third card, the same rules apply to the bank as to the player.
If the player has been dealt a third card, the rules look a lot more complicated:
- 7 – 9 points: No third card, bank stands or has a natural
- 6 points: only the player’s third card was a 6 or 7
- 5 points: if Punto’s third card was 4, 5, 6, or 7
- 4 points: if Punto’s third card was 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7
- 3 points: if Punto’s third card was not an 8.
- 0 – 2 points: Banco always gets a third card.
However, by placing this information in a table, it seems a lot more straight to the point:
Main and Side Bets
Below you’ll find an overview of the core wagers (main bets) in Baccarat – namely bets on Player (Punto), Banker (Banco), or Tie (Égalité) – followed by popular side bets. Most side bets aren’t offered everywhere, but they can spice up your gameplay.
Main Bets
- Punto (Player)
- Banco (Banker)
- Tie (Égalité)
A correct bet on Player typically pays 1:1, meaning you double your stake if you win. The house edge is 1.24%, making it one of the safest bets.
Betting on Banker often yields a 1:1 payout minus a 5% commission (effectively 19:20). This commission is how the house maintains its advantage, as this is the bet with the lowest house edge: 1.06%
In many physical casinos, Banco wins are recorded in a “commission box” so the dealer only settles the commission when you leave the table.
Some modern variations – like “Straight Punto Banco,” “No Commission Baccarat,” or “Punto Banco Big 6!” – omit this 5% fee but compensate elsewhere (e.g., only paying half on a specific winning total such as 5 or 6).
A Tie bet pays high odds (commonly 8:1 or 9:1) because the chance of both hands ending with the same total is relatively small. Exact payouts can vary by casino or even by table. If a Tie occurs and you didn’t wager on Égalité, your main bet (on Player or Banker) usually remains in place for the next round. In general the house edge here is 14.36% which makes it an exciting, but risky bet.
Side Bets
Though Punto, Banco, and Égalité are the main bets, Baccarat sometimes offers a range of side bets. Here are a few of the most common:
- Perfect Pair
- Big & Small
- Dragon Bonus
- Progressive Jackpots
A “Perfect Pair” is two identically ranked and suited cards (e.g., two Queens of Hearts). Since multiple decks are in play, it’s possible to draw matching suits and ranks. A winning Perfect Pair might pay anywhere from 25:1 to 28:1. Depending on the payout rate and the number of decks in use, the house edge can range from around 3% to 17%.
This bet concerns how many total cards will be dealt in a round – four, five, or six – depending on whether the Player and/or Banker draws a third card. Payouts can vary, but typically:
3:2 if only four cards are dealt (no third card for either hand)
2:1 if five or six cards appear (one or both hands receive a third card)
The Dragon Bonus pays according to the margin of victory. A 9-point win (the highest margin) can pay as much as 30:1.
Some Baccarat tables link to a progressive jackpot. A small part of each wager funds this jackpot, which triggers if both the Player and Banker receive a specific combination (often the suited Eight and Ace of Hearts).
Popular Baccarat Variants
We’ve mainly covered Punto Banco, since it’s by far the most common version. However, some players enjoy more interactive versions, such as Chemin de Fer or Baccarat Banque, which shift the role of “banker” to the players themselves.
Chemin de Fer / Chemmy
Popular in France, Chemin de Fer involves players taking turns acting as the banker, while the others bet against them. The banker announces a wager, and the other players can match or partially cover it. If the total stakes from the other players match the banker’s bet, the game proceeds. Players can also make strategic choices on whether to draw a third card if their total is 0–5, making Chemin de Fer more hands-on than Punto Banco. The role of banker continues until that player loses, at which point another player takes over (unless someone else raises the previous banker’s stake).
Baccarat Banque
Baccarat Banque is similar to Chemin de Fer but has a different table layout and typically fewer changes of banker. One player acts as banker against two groups of opponents, effectively running two games at once. Like in Chemin de Fer, players may decide whether to draw a third card on totals of 0–5, allowing for more control. The banker’s role in Baccarat Banque only shifts if the banker loses their entire stake – or if another player steps in to raise the banker’s bet.
Top things to remember while playing Baccarat
In order to allow you to enjoy your time playing Baccarat the most, we’ve listed a few important things you should remember, both before and during the game.
Before starting to play Baccarat, consider the following:
- Table limits: Baccarat often has higher minimum bets than other table games. Consider playing Mini-Baccarat for lower bet sizes.
- Know your bets and their risks: Banker has the lowest house edge; Player is slightly higher; Tie is generally the worst bet, as long as we’re not considering side bets.
- Watch for variations: Lightning Baccarat and other versions add multipliers or tweak commission rules, which affect the house edge, usually in their favour.
- Check the commission: Banker bets typically charge a 5% fee on wins – some variations (like No Commission) have different structures.
When you have picked a table, pay attention to:
- Third-card rule: Realise this is not Blackjack, whether you get a third card or not, is out of your control. By remembering this, you’ll have a better grasp on the odds and pace of the game.
- Avoid chasing ties and side bets: They promise big payouts but the price is a much higher house edge.
- Keep emotions in check: It’s a pure game of chance so there are no winning strategies. If you get worked up, take a short break and never chase your losses.
Play Live Baccarat Online
Live Baccarat brings the real casino atmosphere straight to your home, just make sure you’re seated comfortably and instead of a computer dealing cards, enjoy a human dealer handling the deck in real time. Being able to chat with the dealer (and sometimes other players) adds a social dimension missing from the purely software-driven version.
Rounds can be slightly slower because you’re dealing with a live dealer and other participants, but the payoff is the added immersion and authenticity. The core rules remain the same and most of the same variants are offered – just place your bets, let the dealer do the dealing, and watch the action unfold in real time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Baccarat Online
If you’re looking to learn how to play Baccarat online from scratch, these step-by-step instructions will guide you through each stage.
Choosing a Casino
Selecting an online casino is easy as we have our iGN Rating and Safety Index to help you. By selecting one of these casinos you can rest assured that it will have a valid license from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). These are the only online casinos legally allowed to accept players from the UK.
The benefits of playing at a UKGC licensed online casino for you as a player are, among other things, strict player protection, the availability of responsible gaming tools and regular audits to ensure fairness and security in the broadest sense.
The next step is to choose a casino with an offering that matches your preferences. If you are interested in Baccarat, the selection of casinos on this page is the best place to start.
Registering and Depositing Funds
After selecting an online casino on our website, you will be sent to the website of that casino where registering or creating an account only takes a few minutes. The process is self explanatory and consists of several steps, which will include sending certain documents to verify your identity, address and payment details.
Although in some cases you might be able to start playing immediately, whilst verification of your documents is pending, make sure that it is completed as soon as possible. As long as your account is not fully verified you will not be able to make withdrawals should you win.
Finding the Right Baccarat Game
As you have learned on this page, Baccarat comes in different variants and versions, with Punto Banco being the most played. All versions and variants are usually available both in a virtual format – sometimes called “classic Baccarat” – and in a Live Casino setting.
Most casinos let you play the virtual (RNG-based) version for free, so you can learn the basic rules and get used to the gameplay. If you’re wondering how to play real money Baccarat online, you can either switch from demo mode to real stakes in the virtual games or jump straight into a live dealer table. Keep in mind that live casino tables almost never offer free play, as they involve real dealers and higher operating costs.
Placing Bets and Playing the Game
Once you’ve chosen your preferred Baccarat version, simply pick your chip size and place your wager on Player, Banker, or Tie. If the game offers side bets (e.g., Pairs), you can place them as well, though they typically carry higher house edges. Once all bets are in, the cards are dealt according to the automatic rules you’ve already seen – no extra actions are required. Results and payouts follow immediately, so be ready for the fast pace of each round.
If you want the thrill and real payouts, play Baccarat online for real money in the live dealer section, where you’ll bet against an actual dealer in real time. This adds a layer of authenticity and excitement that virtual games can’t always match.
Baccarat Betting Systems
Many players wonder how to win baccarat and hope that betting systems can somehow remove the house edge. Betting systems in Baccarat and other casino games revolve around adjusting your stake after each round, aiming to manage wins and losses.
None of these systems, also called strategies, have any effect on the house edge: they can structure your play and influence how quickly your bankroll fluctuates, but in no way do they influence your chances of winning. Playing with a system or a strategy nevertheless can add an extra dimension to the game and many people love to use them. For this reason we have dedicated a special page on our website to Baccarat Strategies where we discuss them in detail including examples.
Martingale
The Martingale system doubles your bet after every loss. When you eventually win, it recovers all previous losses plus a small profit. The risk is that long losing streaks can quickly blow through your bankroll or hit table limits, making Martingale risky if you’re not prepared for steep swings.
Fibonacci
This strategy uses the famous Fibonacci sequence to decide bet sizes. After a loss, you increase your bet to the next number in the sequence; after a win, you move back two steps. It’s less aggressive than Martingale and aims to recoup losses more steadily, but it can still escalate quickly during a series of losing rounds.
Paroli
Paroli is sometimes called the “Reverse Martingale.” You increase bets following a win rather than a loss. The idea is to capitalise on winning streaks while limiting how much you chase losses. This can help stretch your bankroll, but it still relies on hitting those consecutive wins before one loss wipes out gains.
FAQs – Play Online Baccarat in the UK
What are the basic rules of Baccarat?
You bet on either the Player or Banker hand to win (or on a Tie). Each side gets two cards, and depending on automatic rules, may receive a third. The goal is to reach a total closest to 9.
What is the house edge in Baccarat?
On standard bets, the house edge is about 1.06% on Banker (Banco), 1.24% on Player (Punto), and ~14.36% on Tie. Different variants (e.g., No Commission, Lightning Baccarat) adjust these figures.
How to play Baccarat online?
Choose a UKGC-licensed casino from our site, create an account, deposit funds, and pick a table of the variant you want to play. Place your bet on Player, Banker, or Tie and the dealer or software handles the rest.
What does ‘Baccarat’ mean?
Although the exact history has been lost to time, the term likely comes from the Italian “baccara,” meaning zero – referring to the zero value of tens and face cards.
What is the difference between Blackjack and Baccarat?
In Blackjack, you actively decide to hit, stand, or split. In Baccarat, drawing rules are preset and require no extra decisions. Both target a winning total (21 vs. 9), but strategy depth differs.
Are Baccarat and Punto Banco the same?
In most modern casinos – especially online – “Baccarat” is the same as Punto Banco (also called American Baccarat). Other versions, such as Chemin de Fer or Baccarat Banque, have different rules on who can act as the banker and how cards are drawn.
How many Baccarat variants are available in UK casinos?
While the exact count varies, some UKGC-licensed operators feature extensive collections. For instance, PlayOJO offers more than 50 live Baccarat tables, including special versions like Japanese Squeeze Baccarat, Lightning Baccarat, Punto Banco Soirée, Gangnam Speed Baccarat (with or without commission), and many more.