Complete Guide to Online Baccarat | Everything You Need to Know

Are you interested in learning how to play baccarat online? This fan favorite is a mainstay in online casinos, as well as land based. A game that is centuries old, gamblers continue to find this classic casino game an exciting gambling experience that is unparalleled. In this guide, experts at Myser-Gambling, help beginner players get started by providing accurate and relevant information that you need to know. Find out the history behind the game, how to play, basic rules, additional side bets, and more. Now, let’s get started!

History of Baccarat

As with most classic casino games with origins dating back a few centuries, the true beginnings of baccarat are murky. However, most people believe that baccarat was invented in the 1400s in Italy by an Italian gambler named Felix Falguiere. He called the game “baccara”. The current spelling of baccarat was adopted later and comes from the French spelling of the word.  

The story goes that the game was derived from a legend about a virgin whose fate was to be determined by rolling a nine-sided die. If she rolled an eight or a nine, she would become a priestess. A six or seven would ban her from religious ceremonies and lastly, a five or lower would banish her into the depths of the ocean to die. These days, the terms of the game do not require anybody to risk their lives and drown at sea, but they do lose the game with a 6 or lower.  

Baccarat was later introduced to France, where it was known as Chemin de Fer. It was played by King Charles VIII and quickly became popular with the aristocracy. It was also brought to England, as well as overseas to South America and the Caribbean. In the Caribbean, baccarat was known as Punto Banco and some rules were changed. In the 1950s, baccarat was brought to America. Initially, it was not popular until casinos marketed it as an exclusive game by setting high minimum bets and placing the tables in special rooms. A game with a long and storied history, baccarat is now one of the best online casino games that many gamblers love to play.  

How to Play and Win at Baccarat

Baccarat is a game of luck, chance, and guesses, rather than strategy. How to play a hand is determined by rules that are set in advance, so there are no decisions you need to make, unlike online blackjack. This makes it a perfect game for beginners because no skill is required.

You can be as successful as a more experienced player who has been playing for decades! In addition, it is easy to learn how to play baccarat. This game also has good payouts, high win frequency, high RTP percentage, and a very low house edge. After learning the basics it is easy to follow the strategy and learn how to win at baccarat.

Does this sound interesting? We thought so – settle in and let’s learn how to play!  

Side Betting Options in Online Baccarat

We have reviewed the three-bet options baccarat has available for players: player bet, banker bet, or tie. These are standard across land-based casinos and online casinos.  

No matter which baccarat variant you are playing, these main bet options are clearly displayed on the screen. It is also common to come across online baccarat games where other bets are available as well, especially in live dealer games. These side bets have different payouts and risks than the ones we have already discussed.  

There are several online baccarat side bets that can be placed on pairs. This kind of side bet is wagered on the first two cards dealt to either the player or the dealer. For example, a player pair is a bet placed on an outcome where the first two cards dealt to the player from a pair of the same rank. This has a payout of 11:1 and a house edge of 11.25%.  

Perfect Pair Bet

A banker pair is the same kind of bet but placed on the banker hand and the payout is also 11:1 with the same house edge. A perfect pair is where a pair of the same suit AND same rank are dealt to either the player or the banker. The payout for this is much higher at 25:1 and the house edge is 17.07%.  

Lastly, any pair (also known as either pair) is a bet where a pair can be formed from the first two cards dealt to either the banker or player. This has a payout of 5:1 and a house edge of 14.54%.  

Big/Small Bets

A couple of other side bets that are often available with baccarat live are big/small, all red/black, and total points odd/even. The first of these, big/small, is a wager placed on the total cards that are dealt in a coup. This side bet is offered with Playtech baccarat games, as well as others.  

A small bet is a wager placed on a total of four cards being dealt in a game. This has a payout of 3:2 and a house edge of 5.27%. A big bet is a wager placed on a total of five or six cards being dealt in a game. This has a payout of 2:1 and a house edge of 4.35%.  

Red/Black Bet

The next common side bet is red/black. As the name implies, this is a wager placed on a player’s hand being all red cards or all black cards. If all the cards in a player’s hand are red, then the payout is about 22:1. If all the cards are black, then the payout is about 24:1. Total points odd/even is a bet placed on whether the total of both the player and banker hands will be odd or even. The payout is about 1:1 for either bet.  

There are many more side bets, and each baccarat game has different offerings based on the variant and developer behind the game. These side bets offer a more exciting game, so it might be fun to mix it up now and then, but don’t expect them to boost your winnings. They are a calculated risk you should consider very carefully.  

Ready to Play

There you have it! Now you know the fundamentals of online baccarat, including the history of the game, a step-by-step guide, the rules, and several side-bet options. This is a solid foundation for any beginner. Remember, this is a very simple game that is based totally on your lucky guesses! With some practice and experience, you’ll figure out what works for you. Try it out first with a free demo game before playing real money mobile baccarat. You can find our suggestions for best online casinos here at MySer-Gambling!  

FAQ: Online Baccarat