Baccarat is one of the most famous casino games of all time. Even if you’ve never played the game itself, you’ve probably seen it featured in blockbuster films like 007 Casino Royale. It’s a game of chance, with a slow and steady pace that makes it perfect for beginners to enjoy.

In our complete guide, we'll be discussing the rules, as well as ideal odds and strategies to look out for.

Baccarat rules

The rules of this game are quite simple to follow and by the end of this guide, we’re confident that you’ll be ready to start playing a few rounds.

Baccarat is a game played between you and the banker. Two cards are drawn for both yourself and the banker and whoever gets closest to a total value of 9 wins. You can bet on yourself winning, the banker winning, or the round ending in a tie. Of course, all bets must be placed before any cards are drawn, which is why baccarat is purely a game of chance.

When calculating the value of a hand, all 10 cards, as well as Jacks, Queens and Kings count as 0. Ace cards count as 1 and all other cards stick to their actual values. If any hand goes over a total value of 9, its value is subtracted by 10. Some baccarat games allow you and the banker to draw a third card, but there can never be a hand of more than three cards.

Each bet type has a different payout, which you’ll need to factor into any bets you’re looking to place. Any winning bets placed on your hand give you a 1/1 payout. So, if you place a bet of $10, you could win another $10. On the other hand, bets placed on the banker also give a 1/1 payout, but the banker will always get a 5% commission. So, a winning banker bet of $10, will award you $9.50 ($10 – 5%). The last bet type you can place is a tie, giving you an 8/1 payout. In this case, a tie bet of $10 wins you $80.

Playing live dealer baccarat

There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a regular table game version of baccarat, but if you’re hoping to get a more personal experience, you’ll want to have a look at live baccarat. Instead of playing against a computer-generated operator, you’ll have a live dealer that you can play against and communicate with via text or voice chat.

This pushes your experience to the next level by giving you the casino experience from the comfort of your desktop or mobile device. Not much else changes, you’ll still be following the same rules and possible strategies that you would otherwise use in a non-live table game.

Online baccarat strategy & tips

Baccarat is a game of chance, but that’s not to say that there aren’t any tips and strategies that you can follow that could improve your chances of winning. We’ll walk you through a few of these baccarat strategies:

The 1-3-2-4 system – The idea here is to set an initial bet and stick with it. Whenever you land a win, you increase your bet by a value of one. But if you end up losing, then return to the original bet you had initially set.

The one-sided strategy – As the name implies, with this strategy you choose one side of the table and stick with them. So, if you decide you want to follow the dealer, you always stick with them, no matter how the game progresses.

The Martingale strategy – As one of the most straight-forward strategies, the idea is to always double your bets after a loss.

Online baccarat FAQs

Are online baccarat games fair?

Yes, whenever you play online baccarat games at licensed online casinos, you can rest assured that the games are fair and stick to the highest levels of transparency.

Is it safe to play online baccarat?

Yes, playing online baccarat is very safe, as long as you play online baccarat at licensed, trusted online casinos like Hollywood Casino available on ESPN BET.

Can I play online baccarat on my mobile device?

Yes, Hollywood Casino offers mobile versions of their games, like Baccarat, that you can play on your smartphone or tablet via the mobile app.

Can I play online baccarat with a live dealer?

Yes, there are plenty of fantastic live baccarat games available from Evolution Gaming that allow you to play with a live dealer.

What is the difference between online baccarat and live baccarat?

Online baccarat is played on your own, against a computer-generated banker whom you cannot interact with. On the other hand, live baccarat is played with a live dealer and other players sitting on different seats at the table. You can chat with both the dealer and other players in the game.

Can I play online baccarat with a bonus?

Yes, you’re allowed to use the bonus money on baccarat games.

What is the minimum and maximum bet in online baccarat?

These vary according to the variation of online baccarat you play. Most games ask for a minimum bet of $2, and some allow you to place maximum bets of $20,000.

Are there any restrictions on playing online baccarat in The United States?

No, online baccarat can be enjoyed wherever Hollywood Casino on ESPN BET is available.