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Live Baccarat - The Ultimate Guide
Playing baccarat live is no longer just for the wealthy elite! Baccarat has become immensely popular and wide-reaching, with fans worldwide, particularly in the UK. Live dealer baccarat has a rich history that stretches back centuries.
Live baccarat’s ability to imitate the thrill of playing the actual game at a brick-and-mortar casino, but without leaving the comfort of your home, made it popular. In this article, we’ll point you in the right direction and even give you some helpful tips.
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Introduction to Live Casino Baccarat
Live casino baccarat is a version of the popular card game that is broadcast or streamed to your laptop, portable device or TV, enabling you to enjoy the thrill of a real game from home.
The popularity of baccarat stems from the fact that it has a luxurious reputation and is relatively quick to learn. There’s the opportunity to liven things up with some side bets. Still, generally, baccarat, which is closely related to blackjack, involves betting on the dealer, the player, or the draw. Playing live baccarat online is often a satisfying experience, with exciting, fast-paced rounds and fantastic promotions.
How We Rank Live Baccarat Casinos
Only some people are good at picking a site, which is where we come in. At Slotozilla, we take pride in our recommendations, which our experts constantly research, inform, and test. They consider several elements of each site before vouching for live baccarat casinos.
- Game Selection: We believe variety is essential, even if you only want to play baccarat. For this reason, we prioritise sites with a great range.
- Bonuses and Promotions: These can make a massive difference to your bankroll; some offers are more valuable than others.
- Payout Timescales: They can vary drastically from one site to the next, and we know that our players want their winnings sooner rather than later.
- Mobile Compatibility: It is essential today, with some sites offering mobile-optimised in-browser versions and others having dedicated apps.
- Security: We will only recommend trustworthy UKGC-regulated sites with robust safety protocols.
- Customer Service. It is often overlooked. Excellent service means a responsive chat function enabling you to speak to real humans, not useless chatbots. Most sites can be contacted via email, too, and some have phone lines, which is a bonus.
How to Choose Casinos With Reliable Live Dealer Baccarat
Choosing the right place to play live baccarat online is easy:
- Decide which characteristics of a live baccarat casino are most important to you. Is it the dealers, the choice of tables, or the different game variations?
- If you’re worried about your data’s security, don’t: a proper licensed casino is taking great care to use cutting-edge encryption software.
- Register or sign up into your account and make a deposit.
- You’re ready to get started. Now you can choose your own dealer and [lay the game!
Basic Rules and Gameplay at a Baccarat Live Casino
Before starting, you’ll want an overview of how live dealer baccarat works.Once you join a table with a dealer and other players, familiarise yourself with the layout and the chat window, as well as the table rules. After placing bets, the dealer will provide two hands, one to themselves, and one to a player.
A 10, Jack, Queen or King is worth 0. An Ace is worth 1, and the 2-9 cards are worth their face value. The best hand is a two-card total of 9 because only the second digit is counted if the capacity enters double digits.The hand with the highest value wins; no hand can contain more than 3 cards.
How to Play Live Baccarat Online
Playing online is very similar to playing in a physical casino. Most rules and the overall process are the same. New players may be intimidated initially, but baccarat is quick and easy to learn, so a little perseverance goes a long way.
At baccarat casinos, the dealer uses between 6 and 8 decks of cards, from which they deal 2 hands. Rather than only betting on your hand, you can wager against yourself predicting that the dealer’s hand will win or even result in a tie/draw.
If the total of either hand is less than 5, another third card is dealt. If the dealer’s hand adds up to 7 or more, they stand, and always get another card if the value is 0, 1 or 2. Otherwise, the banker receives another card if the player takes one.
Whichever hand’s total value (disregarding the first digit of two-digit totals) is closest to 9 wins. For example, if a player’s hand contains a 3 and a 9, the total would only be 2. A 4 and a 5 would be an especially strong hand. The game is considered a draw if the dealer’s and player’s hands have the same value.
There are also side bets which can be made. These can make things extra exciting and include all red or all-black bets, a Bellagio match (which is a rare three-of-a-kind bet), double 8s, bets on the combined value of both hands and a dragon bonus, which states that a particular hand wins by a certain margin.
Practice and Skill Development
If you’re hoping to play live baccarat seriously, then it’s worth understanding the following key phrases, which also apply to live casino play. Here’s a glossary of some of the terms you’ll likely hear.
Term | Meaning |
---|---|
Action | The amount of cash which has been or is currently in play. |
Baccarat | The game’s name translates to ‘zero’ in Italian, which is the worst hand. |
Banco | A Spanish term for ‘banker’ or ‘dealer’. |
Banker Bet | The 1:1 bet that the dealer’s hand will be of the highest value. |
Bankroll | The amount of cash you have in your budget. |
Carte | This means “hit”, requesting a third card. |
Commission | Winning bets lose 5% commission in baccarat. See “House Edge”. |
Coup | This French term means a round of the game. |
Dealer | The banker who deals the cards and who runs the game. |
Down Card | A card which is placed face-down. |
Face Card | Any card with a value of 0. |
Hand | The cards dealt at the start of a round. |
House Edge | The statistical advantage held by the house, which is low in this game. |
La Grande | A natural hand, which totals 9. |
La Petite | A natural hand, which totals 8. |
Natural | A hand of just the original 2 cards. |
Player Bet | This is one of the three bets, stating that the player’s hand will win. |
Push | This means ‘tie’ or ‘draw’. |
Tie Bet | This is one of the three bets you can make, and it generally pays 8:1. |
Upcard | A card that is face-up. |
How to Create an Account for Live Baccarat Online
The process of opening an account is simple!
- Click ‘register’ on the site and enter your details, which will likely include the date of birth, address, email and more.
- Once you’ve signed up, you’ll need to verify your ID by submitting a copy of a document such as a passport or driving licence.
- Attach a banking method and make a deposit. Now you’re ready to go!
Strategies and Tips for New Baccarat Players
Players who are new to live baccarat will want to brush up on the following tips and strategies:
- Bet on the Bank: The odds are highest and the house edge is lowest when betting on the dealer’s hand, so beginners should consider this.
- Memorise the Rules: If you come to a table unprepared, be ready to fail. If in doubt, play a few free rounds at a demo first.
- Bankroll Management: This is important no matter if you’re a fan of online casino live baccarat real money gambling or not. Only spend what you can afford to lose, and set yourself sensible limits.
- Avoid the Tie: Betting on the tie/draw isn’t always wise. The potential winnings are high, but the house edge is much higher too, at around 14.36%.
- Enjoy Side Bets: This is a great way to diversify your wagers, and it helps to make the game even more exciting. Side bets are a fun part of playing online live baccarat.
Top Live Baccarat Casino
Casino Name | Game Name | Bet Limits (Min-Max) | RTP % | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Slotnite | Speed Baccarat | £1-£10,000 | 98.94% | This is a straightforward option developed by Pragmatic Play and a great place to start for beginners. |
Skol Casino | Baccarat Lobby | £1-£10,000 | 98.94% | This offering from Pragmatic Play features 6 extra side bets, making it an exciting option for more advanced or experienced players. |
Winomania Casino | Baccarat First Person | £1-£5,000 | 98.95% | From Evolution Gaming, this game is advanced and next-level in graphics and interface. |
Grosvenor Casino | Live Baccarat Squeeze | £5-£5,000 | 98.94% | This variant from Evolution has one of the best RTP rates, so it’s an excellent choice for risk-averse players. |
NetBet Casino | Peek Baccarat | £1-£10,000 | 98.8% | Unlike most versions, this online baccarat game from Evolution Gaming involves none of the usual commission, making its RTP so high. |
Terms and Conditions for Live Baccarat Online
As always, there are certain terms and conditions that you’ll want to make yourself aware of, particularly if you’re hoping to take advantage of the fantastic bonuses and promotions that are around.
Bonuses relating to this game will generally come in bankroll boosts or deposit matches. They may also come with wagering requirements. Here’s what you need to know about these:
- Wagering requirements are a way for the live baccarat to reclaim the bonus.
- They will be expressed several times and dictate how many times over you need to wager the value of the bonus before withdrawing.
- Once completed, you can cash out the remaining value as real money.
Other promo-specific T&Cs may apply, which usually include:
- Fixed time limits to wager the bonuses.
- Withdrawal and bet limits.
- Specific payment options.
Pros and Cons of Baccarat Live vs Online Baccarat
Live Baccarat
-
Live games allow you to socialise with other players
-
The thrill of playing against real people can’t be beaten
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It’s as close as you’ll get to a real casino experience
-
You can witness every action in real-time, ensuring fairness and trustworthiness
-
The pressure can be high
-
The game can move very quickly
-
There might not always be an available dealer
-
Possibly fewer variants to choose from
Online Baccarat
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Enjoy a low-pressure experience. | Based on RNGs. |
Faster game processing time. | The thrill of a live experience isn’t there. |
There are loads of variants to choose from. | Playing regular online baccarat is a more solitary experience. |
Play anywhere, even on the go. | The tables with the biggest wins are often live. |
Broader range of betting limits. |
Additional Variations of Live Baccarat Online Casino
Like blackjack, baccarat comes in many different flavours. It’s worth understanding the differences between them so that you can make an informed decision regarding which table to join.
- Mini Baccarat: It is a simplified version, offering plenty of fun and a thrilling experience. The odds are the same, but bets are lower so it’s a good place for beginners.
- Chemin de Fer: It puts a few twists on the classic version. Players take turns to be the bankers whilst others at the table bet on the outcomes. Also, cards are dealt face-down in Chemin de Fer.
- Progressive Baccarat: This one combines classic rules with a progressive jackpot, which can quickly become huge. The jackpot is won when players and dealers are dealt the same suit of ace and an 8.
- Multi-Seat Baccarat: It allows players to occupy multiple places at the table, like some types of blackjack.
- Punto Banco: This is the most popular variant, and is sometimes considered the original or classic version. It uses between 6 and 8 decks.
Type of Bonuses for Online Live Baccarat
Smart players know to take advantage of bonuses when playing live casino online baccarat. You’ll likely encounter a few specific bonuses, so let’s look closer
Type of Bonuses | Description of Bonuses |
---|---|
Welcome Bonuses | These are the most valuable bonuses you’ll find. They tend to require a deposit, but the rewards are worth having. This may mean a bankroll bonus in the case of baccarat websites. |
Reload Bonuses | Reloads are used regularly to motivate players to return, granting a bankroll bonus based on your deposits. |
Loyalty Programmes | Baccarat live casino sites offer loyalty programmes to keep players coming back. These allow players to climb a tiered ladder, earning rewards. |
Cashback | Some sites offer players a percentage of their losses back regularly, either daily, weekly or monthly. |
Top Providers Offering Live Casino Online Baccarat Games
Some software developers are especially prolific when it comes to this game.
- Playtech streams huge numbers of games to players all around the world.
- Pragmatic Play produces some premium live baccarat games.
- Evolution is a staple of the industry, a real market leader that is well known for live baccarat games.
- Microgaming produces some games with very competitive RTP rates.
- Skywind is a smaller company with some innovative ideas.
Need a helping hand? Here are some of the places you can go for assistance:
- In-Game Help Menu: This provides details relevant to the actual game you’re playing.
- Customer Service: If you can’t find the answer, contact a real person for help.
- FAQ Section: The most commonly asked questions are answered here.
Payment Options for Deposits and Withdrawals on Live Baccarat Sites
To some players, a site must offer the right payment method options, which is just as much the case with a live baccarat online casino. Here are some of the banking options that most sites offer:
- E-wallets are very common. Examples include PayPal and Skrill; players love these because they balance speed, security and convenience.
- Bank transfers and debit cards are offered by all sites. They move money directly from your bank to your account or vice versa.
- Other less popular methods include prepaid cards, enabling players to set limits and not exceed them.
- Cryptocurrencies are still fairly common.
Play Live Baccarat Online on Mobile
One of the joys of gaming in the modern world is playing whatever you want – even streamed live casino games – from the comfort of home or whilst you have a few minutes to kill on your commute.
In response to this trend, operators have optimised their websites to perform well on portable devices or produced dedicated apps. These versions require no compromises and are as good as the desktop game. At Slotozilla, we only recommend sites that function well on various devices.
Expert Verdict
Live baccarat tables are one of the crown jewels of the live casino baccarat industry, allowing players to play baccarat online live whenever (and wherever) they wish. Moreover, live dealer games allow players to enjoy the thrill of the live experience without going to a physical casino, making them massively popular in the UK.
Live baccarat sites offer bonuses worth taking advantage of, and there are plenty of strategies that players can keep in mind to maximise their chances when playing with baccarat live dealers.
There are many variants of the game, as with other casino games, so players must understand the specific rules of the table they are joining. Baccarat is great fun, so if you’re a table game enjoyer, you should give it a try!
FAQs
How do I get started?
If you want to play live baccarat, you first must choose an online casino (we recommend those on our above list). Next, register, then attach a payment method and make a deposit. When selecting a table, consider its specific rules, then join!
How do I win?
Live dealer versions are won like your regular baccarat games: players bet on which hands in play will win by having a final value closest to 9.
What is the RTP rate?
Streamed dealer baccarat is generally considered to have quite a good RTP, which makes it popular with players. Most game variations provide theoretical returns of more than 90%, and some of the highest RTP variations can be as high as 98% or even 99%.
Can I play for free?
Playing for free first is a great way to practise before playing online live, where the player dealer interactions happen in real-time, and the live dealer sometimes moves quite quickly.
Is it difficult to learn?
Before you play live, you need to know how. Fortunately, this game is quick and easy to understand while offering decent returns.