Baccarat Online
Online Baccarat may be the most popular casino game worldwide. Although its origins are disputed, there's no doubt the card game has gained fame and notoriety in Europe, the U.S.A. and especially Asia - over 80% of the profits generated in Macau are said to come from Baccarat. It's reported that Singapore casinos do similar business. The only game that surpasses Baccarat in popularity is slot games.
But, what accounts for Baccarat's meteoric rise through the casino landscape? It's all down to several key factors. First, Baccarat is relatively simple to play and relies mostly on luck, eliminating the need for grand strategies, and making the card accessible to players of all skill levels.
There are other reasons, of course. Baccarat has a lower house edge compared to other casino games, which means it offers better odds compared to other casino table games. The game is also associated with glitz and glamour thanks to films like Casino Royale (2006) and The Great Gatsby (2013), and dealers started dressing up in tuxedos and other glamorous attire mimicking what we see in these films.
Accessibility is another factor that explains Baccarat's rise to the top of the gaming hierarchy. Online casinos now offer multiple variations of the popular card game, including Punto Banco, Mini-Baccarat, and Baccarat Squeeze, catering to various player preferences. Some online variants are even played with live dealers and other players worldwide, adding another layer of immersion.
This combination of simplicity, elegance, favourable odds, and immersive features has established Baccarat as one of the most popular online table games.
What is Baccarat?
As mentioned, the origins of Baccarat are obscure. Some trace its origins to ancient China, specifically to a traditional domino-style tile game called Pai Gow, which translates as "make nine". Others suggest Baccarat originated as an Etruscan ritual in which a virgin would roll a nine-side die to determine her fate; a roll of 8 or 9 meant she would become a priestess. Another version of the ritual has a Vestal Virgin rolling a die to determine if she would become high priestess of the goddess Vesta.
Whatever the case, by the 15th century, modern Baccarat was beginning to take shape in Italy thanks to a gambler called Felix Falguierein. From there, it spread to France, England and other parts of Europe. Baccarat then went trans-continental, landing in places like Argentina, Cuba and finally the U.S.A. So, whether it started as a die game, by the 15th century (again, thanks to Felix Falguierein), Baccarat had become a card game (the name means "zero" in Italian - a reference to the game's scoring system where face cards and Aces were worth 0 points).
In France, the game evolved into two versions, Chemin de Fer and Baccarat Banque; the only difference between the two is that players take turns to be the banker in the former while there's a fixed banker in the latter. By the time it got to the Americas, Punto Banco became the most popular version of Baccarat; indeed, it remains so to this day. The main innovation in Punto Banco is that it's played between players and the house instead of between players.
It's interesting to note that even through its evolution across the centuries, Baccarat has always been a relatively simple game to play. First, you have two competing parties, the Player and the Banker. The Player has to predict which hand will have a total value closest to 9 or if the outcome will be a tie. Each card has a specific value and predicting the outcome of a game relies mostly on luck, eliminating the need for grand strategies, and making Baccarat accessible to seasoned players and beginners alike.
Today, Baccarat's reputation as a game for high rollers, combined with its simple rules, has made it particularly popular in Asian casinos, especially Macau, where it dominates gaming halls as we alluded to above.
How To Play Baccarat Online
The main objective in Baccarat - online or otherwise - is to bet on which hand (the player's or the dealer's) will have a total closest to 9; players can also bet on whether they think a round will result in a tie.
Games are played with either 6 or 8-deck shoes. At the start of a game, players place their bets on one of three possible outcomes: the player's hand wins, the banker's hand wins or a tie. Online Baccarat variants can include optional side bets like Player Pair or Banker Pair. Once players have placed their bets, both they and the banker are dealt two cards face up (we'll get to their values later on).
The hand totals are compared, and the closest one to nine wins; winnings are then paid accordingly. In the event of a tie, if both hands have the same total, bets on "Tie" win while other bets lose.
Sometimes a third card is dealt to either or both hands based on specific rules. For example, if the initial total of a player's hand is 0 – 5, a third card is drawn. Otherwise, the hand stands. Whether the Banker draws depends on the Player's third card and the Banker's total. These rules are slightly more complex but normally handled automatically in online games.
Card Values In Online Baccarat
Cards in Baccarat have predetermined values, these are as follows:
- 2 - 9 cards = face value
- 10, Jack, Queen and King = 0 points
- Ace = 1 point
In online Baccarat, if the total exceeds 9, only the last digit counts. For instance, a hand of 8 and 5 totals 13 but scores as 3.
Betting Options In Online Baccarat
Online Baccarat has its fair share of main and side bets. Let's explore the main ones first.
Main Bets- Player Bet = players bet on their hand having a higher total than the banker's; typically these are paid out at 1:1
- Banker Bet = players bet on whether the banker has a higher total than them; these bets are paid out at 1:1 but can include a 5% commission on wins, meaning the payout is effectively 0.95:1 or 0.5:2 if the banker wins with a 6
- Player and Banker Bet = players bet on the banker and player having the same total; the bets can payout at 8:1 or 9:1.
- P Pair = players bet on the first two cards dealt to them being a pair; normally paid at 11:
- B Pair = players bet on the first two cards dealt to the banker being a pair; normally paid at 11:1
The above constitute the most popular bets (side or otherwise) found in most online versions of Baccarat, although it's not an exhaustive list by any means.
It's also worth noting that the payouts may vary between different online versions of Baccarat. In Prosperity Tree Baccarat, for example, player bets pay at 1-27:1 not 1:1. So, it's always worth checking each title's game rules before playing.
What's The Difference Between Online Baccarat and Live Baccarat?
The most obvious difference is that Online Baccarat is a non-social single-player game played with a virtual banker and set within a 3D rendition of a casino or gaming hall designed to mimic a real-life one. The game is normally fully automated, and the outcomes are determined by a Random Number Generator (or RNG for short). On the other hand, Live Baccarat is played online with a real-life banker or dealer. The action is broadcast via video stream from a physical casino or studio. In some ways, it's a more immersive, hands-on casino experience as you interact with the dealer and other players worldwide via a built-in chat function.
Which one you should play depends on your personal preferences. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Online Baccarat offers a faster, more automated experience in which you are dependent only on yourself and not on live dealers or set schedules. On the other hand, you miss out on a more social, interactive experience that better replicates being in an actual casino. Live Baccarat offers the same core experience but in a live setting designed to replicate the atmosphere of a real casino. Real-time sound effects, music, card handling, and live streaming add to the immersion. On the other hand, you are dependent on the live dealer or studio, and the game unfolds at their pace. Live Baccarat also depends on a stable internet connection to ensure a smooth live video stream.
The above are just a few advantages and drawbacks of playing Online and Live Baccarat. What you decide to play is completely up to you but we have a terrific selection of both here at Lottmart!
Play Online Baccarat At Lottomart
Read enough about Baccarat and are ready to get playing? Here's a cross-section of the Brilliant Baccarat games we host on-site!
Baccarat
Released by Evolution Gaming in May 2020, Baccarat (AKA First Person Baccarat) offers a stunning Art Deco design in its immersive virtual Baccarat Lounge. This no-frills take on the classic card game features six tables. Meanwhile, the 3D environment showcases exquisite visuals like gold-trimmed marbled floors and richly designed tables that evoke the luxurious theme players associate with Baccarat. The game is played using standard Baccarat rules using eight decks of cards, and the objective is to predict who - the player or banker - has a hand value closest to nine. Baccarat also showcases optional side bets known as P and B Pair; these add to the excitement by paying out when the player or banker's initial two cards form a pair. Furthermore, the game is fully playable on desktop and mobile devices with lossless quality, and the game pairs straightforward mechanics enhanced with smooth gameplay. Baccarat may lack substantial bonus features; however, its polished presentation makes it a standout casino experience!
Lightning Baccarat Live
Launched in 2020, Lightning Baccarat Live is Evolution Gaming's immersive take on the classic card game. Played in real-time with stunning HD visuals, the game offers lightning multipliers capable of increasing payouts up to 262,144x the stake. Set in a luxurious Art Deco-themed studio, players engage in traditional Baccarat gameplay with added twists like the Lightning Round, where 1 - 5 cards receive random multipliers. Bonus features include Side Bets like P and B Pair. Designed for seamless cross-compatibility across desktop and mobile devices, Lightning Baccarat Live combines strategic play with high-stakes excitement, offering an enhanced gaming experience through innovative design and cutting-edge technology. And, of course, if you like the live version, you can also play the single-player iteration here at Lottomart!
Safer Gaming
This is a real money gambling site. Please keep your play safe and fun at all times and only bet what you can afford.
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