Online Baccarat

Online baccarat is a highly popular online casino version of the classic card game, thanks in part to the James Bond movies, especially those featuring Sean Connery. It is one of the easiest games to learn and play, with a goal of predicting correctly who will win - the Player or Banker - or if they will Tie. Our baccarat lobbies feature a great selection of both RNG and live tables by some of the best providers, like Pragmatic Play, Live88, and OnAir Entertainment, offering Canadian gamblers nothing but world-class entertainment. Join us now, find your preferred Baccarat table, and win big.

*RTP may vary by jurisdiction

History of Baccarat

The origin of the baccarat game dates back to the 1,400’s. Allegedly originating from the Italian word “baccara”, meaning zero, it is aptly named, as the face cards in this game are valued precisely zero. The correct origins remain a mystery, but one thing is established as the truth: it’s a blend of French and Italian influences. According to Crescent, some experts argue that it was invented by Felix Falguiere, who came up with the game using Tarot cards; others consider Macao as the precursor to baccarat. The Italian wars were taking place during this period too, and it’s very likely that soldiers returning from the wars introduced it to France, where it further developed into versions like the extremely popular Baccarat en Banque and Chemin de Fer (Chemin de Fer is the variant that James Bond plays in the movies.)

How to Play Baccarat Online

To play baccarat online, first, you should join our casino by completing the simple registration form. Next, you should find your preferred variant to play. Our RNG and live baccarat lobbies have plenty to choose from - Speed Baccarat, Salon Privé, Mega Baccarat, 3D Baccarat, Squeeze Baccarat, and many more. Once you’ve found your game, place your bet, and the game begins. Both Player and Banker positions receive two cards each, and the goal, as mentioned above, is for your selected position to be closer to 9 points total than the other. There are additional rules of the game that expand this simple concept, which we cover below.

Understanding the Basic Rules

In baccarat, face cards (King, Queen, Jack) and 10s are worth zero, Aces are worth one, and other cards retain their face value. For example, a 5 of Hearts is worth 5 points, an Ace of Spades is worth 1 point, and a King of Clubs is worth 0. The highest hand you can get is a pair of 9s, which results in a “natural” hand, and the holder is declared a winner. Comparatively, a pair of face cards is the lowest value, totalling 0 points.

Third Card Rules - Drawing and Standing Rules

Besides the two cards dealt at the beginning of the round, a 3rd card can be drawn for the Player or Banker if specific hand value thresholds are not met. Here are the instances when this happens for the Player and Banker positions:

Player Third Card Rules

The Player draws a 3rd card if their initial hand total is less than 6, but not when it’s exactly 6 or more than that. 

Dealer Third Card Rules

The dealer may draw a 3rd card if the position’s hand total is below 6 and the Player position stands. The dealer’s response to the player’s 3rd card follows precise rules based on its value.

Card Values

As mentioned before, face cards have no value, Aces have a value of 1, and cards 2 - 9 have their face value. With that in mind, baccarat has a fascinating mechanic, which occurs when the total value exceeds 10 (e.g., 5 + 7 = 12). When this is the case, the 10 is subtracted from the total, resulting in a single-digit value, which in this particular example, would be 2 (5 + 7 = 12 ; 12 - 10 = 2). Pair this with the Third Card rules, and the value that might exceed a value of 20 has 10 removed twice from it, leaving you with a single digit. 

A simpler way to see this is the following: if you have a two digit value in Baccarat, remove the first digit, and the leftover is your actual hand value.

Betting Options

In this game, there are three betting options: "Player," "Banker," and "Tie." Betting on the "Player" means you think their hand will be closest to 9, while betting on the "Banker" means you believe the Banker's hand will be closest to 9. A "Tie" bet means you expect both hands to have the same value.

Here are the payouts for each bet type:

• Player Wins - 1:1
• Banker Wins - 1:1
• Tie - 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the variant

Remember that Baccarat has a commission of 5% on winning Banker bets, so payouts usually are 0.95:1 for Banker bets. The exceptions are No Commission variants, where winning a Banker bet comes with no commission.

House Edge

Betting on the Banker usually carries the lowest house edge at around 1.06%, making it a favourite among all players. The Player's bet has a slightly higher edge of roughly 1.24%. Remember, even though the Banker has 5% commission in most variants, the Third Card rules favour it over the Player position, hence the better house edge. Although the Tie bet can pay out significantly more than betting on a winning position, its steep house edge and lower chances of occurring make it a very risky wager.

Side Bets

In addition to the main bets, a lot of baccarat games at Casino Days offer exciting side bet options. Here's a look at some of the most common side bets in our baccarat games:

• Player Pair - Bet that the first two cards dealt to the Player form a pair (Payout: 11:1).
• Banker Pair - Bet that the first two cards dealt to the Banker are a pair (Payout: 11:1).
• Perfect Pair - Predict that the first two cards for either the Banker or Player are a pair (Payout: 11:1).
• Either Pair - Go for the versatile option, betting on a pair appearing, no matter on which side (Payout:
• Small - Predict that the total number of cards in the game is four (Payout: 1.5:1).
• Big - Place your bet on 5 or 6 cards being dealt in total (Payout: 0.54:1).
• All Red or All Black - Predict whether all cards in the player's hand will be red or black (Payout: 22:1 for all red; 24:1 for all black).

Types of Online Baccarat Games

While there are three main types of Baccarat games, the most commonly available at any online casino is Punto Banco. This is the case because the other two types (Baccarat Banque and Chemin de Fer) have a mechanic in which one of the players assumes the role of the Banker, which is not possible in an online casino setting.

Punto Banco

Punto Banco is a Cuban-born favourite and the most popular online baccarat type. It uses a standard 52-card deck (or decks, depending on the variant) and is extremely easy to learn and understand. Don’t let this fool you, though, as it’s fast-paced, perfectly matching the online medium, making it by far the most popular variant in the world, both online and offline.

Chemin de Fer

Chemin de Fer is a French variant of baccarat, which was precisely the type that was played in the James Bond films. It allows players to take on the role of the banker, offering a unique twist on the otherwise neutral and observer-focused gameplay of the classic baccarat game. The role of Banker is passed once the position is lost, so every player gets a chance to be the Banker. Using six decks, the initial Banker sets wagers and can pass the role to another player. Unlike other baccarat versions, the first digit determines the winner, even when calculated out following the rules for going over 10.

Baccarat Banque

Baccarat Banque is a classic 19th-century type in which the highest pre-game stake secures the Banker role, and players bet on the winner rather than the banker. Unlike Chemin de Fer, here, the Banker retains the role until the shoe has been entirely played or until their bankroll is depleted and they can no longer bet. When this happens, the Banker selection process repeats, and the action continues as outlined above. One of the unique quirks of this game is that players face off against the banker on opposite sides of the table.

How to Win at Baccarat

To win at Baccarat, you need to understand that this casino game combines elements of luck and skill. It has one of the lowest house edges in online casino gaming, with an RTP of over 98% for most variants, offering substantial winning potential. While unpredictable, managing bets and following a strategy can increase your chances of success. Key strategies include:

• Martingale System: This betting system involves doubling your bet after each loss to recoup losses with one win, although it carries the risk of significant long-term losses.
• Fibonacci System: A more conservative approach compared to the Martingale, where you increase your bet following the Fibonacci sequence after a loss.
• Paroli System: A positive progression strategy where you increase your bet after a win to maximize streaks.
• Labouchere System: Creating a number sequence and betting the sum of the first and last numbers. If you win, repeat; if you lose, add the loss to the sequence. The goal is to cross off numbers, but it’s best suited for experienced players.
• Play Responsibly: Remember that at the end of the day, baccarat is a pure game of chance, and has to be taken as a fun activity. Remember to leverage our responsible gaming tools, such as setting limits, to maximize your time playing.