🃏 Where can I play free Baccarat online?

Most online casinos offer free Baccarat games. This allows you to practice before playing for real money.

🃏 Which type of Baccarat should I choose?

This is up to you. It depends on if you want to play alongside other people, how much you want to wager (or if you want to play free Baccarat).

🃏 Is counting cards a thing in Baccarat?

Unlike in Blackjack, counting cards won’t work as the player makes no decisions. Baccarat is a game of chance – it is as simple as that.

🃏 How does the chance of winning compare to other casino table games?

The chances of winning are actually among the highest in Baccarat. Online Blackjack and craps can be compared to Baccarat in this regard.

🃏 Can I win at Baccarat in the long run?

While the house edge ensures that the casino will profit in the long run, you can increase your chances of winning by stopping when you're ahead.

How to play Baccarat?

Author: Conrad Brennan

Updated:22.04.2025

Review process

Ad Disclosure

Baccarat is a thrilling card game that moves quickly, offering impressive odds for winning. Its growing popularity isn't surprising, especially since it's often linked to the iconic character James Bond. The game's origins are under debate, with some claiming it began in 15th century Italy and others attributing its roots to France.

The game operates under straightforward rules: action occurs between a player and the banker. You can place your bets on either the player, the banker, or a tie. Two hands of cards are dealt, and the hand with a total closest to 9 is declared the winner.

You can explore various Baccarat styles globally, and you can try them all at Canada's most renowned casino. The version played in North America is called Punto Banco. Other variations include Chemin de Fer, Mini Baccarat, and Baccarat Banque, each differing in the number of decks used and accommodating different numbers of players. You have the option to play free Baccarat online with a virtual dealer or experience live dealer Baccarat.

Baccarat table explained

The layout of the Baccarat table varies by the specific version of the game being played. A Big Baccarat table can seat up to 14 participants, while the Mini Baccarat variant typically accommodates between 5 and 7 players. Betting limits also change depending on the size of the table.

In addition to Big and Mini tables, there are also Midi tables designed for up to 9 players, while Chemin de Fer and Punto Banco can host between 6 and 9 players.

Bet types

In Baccarat, players have three betting choices available.

Banker bet

The Banker bet features the least house edge, making it the most advantageous option for participants.
Player bet

The Player option has a relatively low house edge as well, with no commission levied.
Tie bet

This bet regards the values of cards for both the player and banker as equal.

Baccarat scoreboard

Using the scoreboard can help players track their betting patterns effectively.

Banker wins

When a Banker bet triumphs, the scoreboard highlights the win with a red circle.
Player wins

A victory for the Player bet is indicated on the scoreboard by a blue circle.
Draw

A Tie on the scoreboard is represented by a circle crossed out with a green line.

Baccarat card value

In Baccarat, the value of the cards is summed up, ignoring the suits entirely. Face cards and tens bear no value, while Aces are worth one. Cards numbered 2 through 9 hold their face value.

The likelihood of achieving each total after receiving two cards

The table below outlines your chances of obtaining points from 0 to 9 based on the combination of two cards:

Card combination probability in Baccarat
2-Card Combinations in Baccarat
Total	6–DECK	8–DECK
0	14.7168%	14.7359%
1	9.4979%	9.4903%
2	9.4484%	9.4532%
3	9.4979%	9.4903%
4	9.4484%	9.4532%
5	9.4979%	9.4903%
6	9.4484%	9.4532%
7	9.4979%	9.4903%
8	9.4484%	9.4532%
9	9.4979%	9.4903%

Example Hand #1

Ace plus King

In Blackjack, this hand would be considered a win and a great start in many other card games. However, in Baccarat, it only adds up to a total of 1:

King (0) + Ace (1) = 1

If this hand belonged to the player, the drawing rules would necessitate dealing a third card.

Example Hand #2

Four plus Five

This specific hand represents the optimal outcome in Baccarat, totaling 9.

Four (4) + Five (5) = 9

When a hand totals 8 or 9, it's considered a natural win, meaning it automatically secures victory unless the opposing hand totals higher (8 vs. 9) or is equal (9 vs. 9), resulting in a tie.

Example Hand #3

Nine plus Seven

This hand results in a combined value of 16. Yet, in Baccarat, the total cannot exceed 9, so 10 is deducted, bringing this hand's value down to 6.

Nine (9) + Seven (7) = 16 - 10 = 6

Example Hand #4

Nine plus Ace

This hand will ultimately give you a total of 0.

Nine (9) + Ace (1) = 10 - 10 = 0

In this scenario, a third card would be drawn, and its value would be added to 0. Should this card be a Five, the new total value of the hand would then be 5.

Best Bets in Baccarat

As we are aware, the Banker bet is statistically more favorable than the Player bet. But what contributes to this?

In an eight-deck game of Baccarat, there are approximately 4,998,398,275,503,360 potential combinations possible for player versus banker with 4, 5 or 6 cards.

Of those nearly 5 quadrillion outcomes:

2,292,252,566,437,888 – result in banker wins.
2,230,518,282,592,256 – result in player wins.

475,627,426,473,216 – result in ties.

These massive figures can be overwhelming, yet when broken down into percentages considering a 5% commission on Banker wins, the bets become clearer:

Banker bet win/lose probability
Banker Bet – 8 Decks
Event	Pays	Probability	Return
Banker Wins	0.95	45.8597%	43.5667%
Player Wins	-1	44.6247%	-44.6247%
Tie	0	9.51%	-1.05%

Player bet win/lose probability
Player Bet – 8 Decks
Event	Pays	Probability	Return
Banker Wins	-1	45.8597%	-45.8597%
Player Wins	1	44.6247%	44.6247%
Tie	0	9.51%	0

Instruction

1. Place the bet

Placing bets in Baccarat is very straightforward. Regardless of the game version, the three designated areas for placing your chips are clearly marked as 'Player', 'Banker', and 'Tie', with the Player section closest to you and the Tie position farthest away.

2. Wait until the dealer distributes your cards.

After bets are finalized, the dealer will proceed to deal two hands. At this stage, players may not touch their chips. Two cards are dealt for both the Banker and the Player, and dependent on the total, a third card could be drawn. Afterward, the winner is determined.

3. Payout

Understanding the payout system is also simple. Both the Banker and Player payouts stand at 1:1, but the Banker generally incurs a 5% commission, while the Tie payout varies between 1:8 and 1:9, depending on the specific casino. Be sure to check these measures before placing your initial bet.

Baccarat types

Various Baccarat types feature different table designs, allowing for solo play or participation alongside others, with one, two, or three dealers. The minimum betting amounts can differ too, and you may encounter just the three primary betting options or the chance to make side bets.

1. Big Baccarat

This version is the full-sized format typically found in most land-based casinos. Its oval shape features a U-shaped area on each side to accommodate three dealers. Up to 14 players can join in, marked by numbers from 1 to 15, with number 13 intentionally omitted.

2. Mini Baccarat

This variant adopts a semicircular design with 5 (or sometimes 7) available spots for players. These spots are numbered 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, deliberately excluding number 4 due to its unlucky connotation. This table has one dealer positioned in front of the players.

3. Online Baccarat

The Online Baccarat setup resembles the Mini table format, compact and allowing you to play solo against a virtual dealer. You will find three betting choices: banker, player, and tie, with the player option closest to you. Some online casinos may even offer side bets. Often, you can test out online Baccarat for free.

4. Live dealer Baccarat

In this online variant, you follow the same rules as in traditional Baccarat, but a real dealer oversees the card distribution, providing a genuine casino-like experience and a chance to interact with other players.

Best strategies that might help you

When engaging in a Baccarat casino game, you have some of the most favorable odds for winning compared to many other casino games. However, it is a rapid game, so understanding the rules is crucial for enhancing your winning potential. Unlike in Blackjack or Poker, your only decision at the Baccarat table will be how much to wager and how often.

Always avoid the Tie bet

The payouts for Tie bets at 1:8 or even 1:9 can be enticing, but statistically speaking, the odds of winning with these bets are poor. The probability of securing a win with a Tie is merely 9.54%, so unless you're enjoying free Baccarat play, it's wise to avoid this option.

Bet with the Banker

This fundamental strategy relies on straightforward mathematics. The payout percentage for players is a remarkable 98.94%, suggesting that if you were to make 100 bets of $1, you might expect to receive back $98.94 on average. Even accounting for the potential 5% commission on the Banker bet, this remains a marginally better option than betting on the Player.

The D’Alembert System

The system devised by the French theorist is based on the idea that wins and losses will ultimately balance out. You should establish a betting unit, which could be one chip or $1 for example. Every time you lose, you increase your wager by one unit, and every time you win, you decrease your next wager by one unit.

Online vs Live dealer

Online Baccarat

A wide variety of Baccarat types can be available when playing in an online casino.
Many casinos offer mobile versions of the game so you can play Baccarat online even when you are on the move.
The pace of the game adapts to you. You can place as many bets as you want within a short time.
You can play Baccarat online free or for real money.
There is no risk when playing free online Baccarat and you can get better before you try out the live dealer version.
In many online casinos, you can place side bets on Baccarat so you have more choices than the usual Banker, Player, and Tie.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Playing with a Live Dealer transports your senses to a real casino. There is an actual person in a good-looking uniform.
As convenient as playing Online Baccarat but the thrill is on a different level.
You can pick your dealer who seems/looks the nicest to you.
The pace can be slower as you have to wait for a human to shuffle and deal the cards and other players can be slow to place their bets.
Some casinos allow you to play Baccarat online free in a demo with no stakes.
If there are no free seats, you might need to wait to play, but at least you can put down your name on a waiting list.

Top Baccarat Casinos

1

ICE Casino

Rating:6.9/10

● Weekly cashback offer of C$2,000
● More than 4,000 games
● Customer support available 24/7
● Withdrawals processed within 12 hours
● eCOGRA RNG-testing certificate

2

SpinFever Casino

Rating:6.6/10

● Over 4,200 games
● Bonuses available every day
● Highest Payout Tables on Slots
● Up to 15% cashback weekly
● Ultra Fast Payments
● Instant deposits with Interac

3

Leon Casino

Rating:6.5/10

● Over 4,500+ games from 70+ providers
● Licenses from both Kahnawake and Curacao
● Really low minimum withdrawals of $2
● No-deposit bonus available
● A sophisticated loyalty program that rewards points for exchange

4

Jokersino Casino

Rating:6.6/10

● Over 4,000 games
● Section with sports and live casino
● The wager on the welcome bonus is 5x

5

Lemon Casino

Rating:8.3/10

● Over 4,800 slots and 400+ live games
● Lemon Lotto Wheel - Daily no deposit Free Spins
● Treasure Boxes - A Loyalty Program
● Non-sticky welcome bonuses
● No wager 7% weekly cashback

FAQ

🃏 Where can I find free Baccarat games online?

A majority of online casinos provide free Baccarat options. This allows you to gain experience before playing for real money.

🃏 Which Baccarat type should I select?

That decision lies with you. It depends on whether you want to play with others, your desired wagering amount, or if you prefer free Baccarat.

🃏 Is it beneficial to count cards in Baccarat?

Unlike Blackjack, card counting isn’t effective in Baccarat because players make no strategic decisions. Baccarat is purely a game of chance.

🃏 How do the winning odds compare to other casino table games?

The odds of winning in Baccarat are actually some of the highest when compared to many other games. Online Blackjack and craps have winning odds similar to those in Baccarat.

🃏 Is it possible to achieve long-term success in Baccarat?

While the house edge guarantees a profit for the casino over time, you can enhance your winning chances by quitting while you're ahead.