Live Baccarat Online Casino Sites - Detailed Overview

Why is live dealer baccarat starting to gain popularity? Like blackjack, baccarat has favorable odds compared to other casino games. The experienced players among you will appreciate this.

For baccarat newbies, live dealer technology has ushered in a wave of innovations, including unique side bets and progressive jackpots. These innovations have made baccarat one of the hottest games at our top-rated US online casinos.

Caesars Online Baccarat

Caesars Palace Online Casino stands out among other popular US online baccarat casinos because it offers games from two top-tier providers.

Live Dealer Speed Baccarat from NetEnt is ideal for players looking to maximize their hourly win rate. For anyone wanting to play for 260,000x payouts, Caesars offers some of the best baccarat live casino games from Evolution, including First Person Lightning.

BetMGM Online Baccarat

Very few online casinos can match BetMGM Online Casino in terms of variety. You can play online baccarat free games such as NetEnt's Pro Series classic, or you can make bonus bets on the Golden Wealth table.

The sports bettors among you will also be pleased to know that BetMGM offers an NHL-branded baccarat game with very attractive odds.

bet365 Online Baccarat

British brand bet365 Online Casino takes a quintessentially classic approach to casino gaming. It has what's probably the best free baccarat card game online for purists: NetEnt's Pro Series table.

For those who prefer shorter time limits, Speed Baccarat completes an entire betting round within 48 seconds.

FanDuel Online Baccarat

FanDuel Online Casino is a favorite of ours because it offers a fantastic spread of betting limits. You can play for as 20 cents on virtual tables or as much as $15,000 in live dealer baccarat games.

Another reason it's up there as one of the top US baccarat sites is Dragon Tiger. This single-card baccarat variant is easier to understand than its classic counterpart, and the house edge is just as low.

DraftKings Online Baccarat

DraftKings Online Casino is easily one of the best baccarat sites for big-money payouts. In addition to a DraftKings-branded table, High Limit, Squeeze, Golden Wealth, and Lightning Baccarat games have progressive jackpots worth over $500,000.

Borgata Online Baccarat

Borgata Online Casino shares a network with BetMGM, which means you'll get access to a varied selection of games, including the aforementioned NHL Baccarat.

The most innovative offerings are First Person Dragon Tiger and First Person Baccarat. These Evolution Gaming products allow you to switch between virtual and live tables with a single tap.

Fanatics Online Baccarat

Fanatics Online Casino is a mobile-only operator launched in 2024 with, among other things, a budding collection of exclusive games.

Baccarat will soon be added to the mix, making this one of the best places to play baccarat on the move once it's available.

PlayStar Online Baccarat

PlayStar Online Casino only has 3 baccarat tables, including First Person and Dragon Tiger, but it stands out because of its promotions.

Specifically, you can use bonus money from your first deposit to play baccarat. You can also use loyalty points to get discounts at Apple, Foot Locker, Subway, and many more stores.

Hard Rock Bet Online Baccarat

Hard Rock Bet Online Casino revamped its software in 2023. That made it a lighter, brighter, and better place to play over 500 casino games, including baccarat.

The newbies among you can play baccarat for 20 cents a hand. Those of you with bigger bankrolls can wager up to $10,000 on Hard Rock's VIP table.

Betway Online Baccarat

Betway Online Casino has one of the best sportsbooks outside of Las Vegas, which means you'll never be short of action while you're playing 4 different types of baccarat.

The standout game at this online gambling site is Dragon Baccarat, which features popular side bets that pay up to 100:1 on a winning hand.

Golden Nugget Online Baccarat

Golden Nugget Online Casino has plenty of live dealer games and a solid selection of virtual tables. However, the reason it's one of the top baccarat sites for US players is its jackpots.

Golden Nugget Baccarat features a trio of progressive jackpots, the biggest of which can surpass $200,000.

If that's not enough, Golden Nugget has another in-house progressive jackpot, often worth over $2 million.

Bally Online Baccarat

Bally Online Casino isn't blessed with a bevy of baccarat games, but it has one we think you'll like. Baccarat Remastered puts the emphasis on side bets like few other variants.

In addition to Player and Banker pairs paying 12:1, you can win up to 1,000:1 on side bets if four-of-a-kind hits.

PartyCasino Online Baccarat

Party Casino Online has all the various types of baccarat we look for when it comes to rating the best online casinos. First Person tables allow you to switch up your experience, and Lightning Baccarat provides the six-figure payouts.

What's unique about this casino, however, is its promotions. In addition to loyalty rewards and Party Pots, themed baccarat bonuses give you the chance to earn site credit and exclusive prizes.

BetRivers Online Baccarat

BetRivers Online Casino is the top choice for baccarat purists. Its three tables all follow the game's traditional format, but what we really like is the fact you've got the chance to hit a 110% payout rate for just $1 per hand.

Virgin Casino Online Baccarat

Virgin Online Casino and Bally are stablemates, which means you get access to a nice selection of classic variants with a twist.

The other reason Virgin Casino is great for baccarat newbies is the fact you get to play two randomly selected games for free every day.

History of Baccarat Casino Game

People have been playing baccarat for centuries. The game's roots extended back to the 1500s and, by all accounts, a man called Felix Falguiere.

He devised a card game where players have to get a score as close to 9 as possible. With cards in the deck worth more than 9, Falguiere made a rule that 10s, jacks, queens, kings, and aces are worth 0.

This led to the name baccara, which means zero in Italian. From there, baccara gained popularity in France, particularly among the aristocracy and King Charles VIII, and the name was translated to baccarat.

Baccarat Game Rules

The rules of baccarat are easy to master. In fact, if you play baccarat online, you'll notice that the only decision you have to make is whether to bet on the Banker's hand, the Player's hand, or a tie.

What are you hoping for when you bet on the Banker's hand or the Player's hand? You're hoping that the hand you've chosen gets a total closest to 9.

In this regard, baccarat is similar to blackjack. However, instead of deciding when to draw cards or stand, you're picking a hand and hoping it wins.

The final thing to note when you're playing baccarat is how totals are calculated. The maximum total is 9, which means there has to be a way of reducing the value of higher totals.

That happens through a process of removing the first digit. For example, if the Banker draws 6 + 6 for a total of 12, the 1 gets canceled out, leaving them with a total of 2.

How to Play Baccarat Online

Now that's clear, here's how a classic baccarat game plays out:

• You place a bet on one of three outcomes: Banker Wins, Player Win, or Tie.
• Two cards are dealt to the Banker spot, and two cards are dealt to the Player spot.

The value of the cards determines what happens next:

• Both hands must stand if either one has a total of 8 or 9.
• The Player stands if they have a total of 6 or 7. The Player draws if they have a total of 5 or less.
• If the Player stands, the Banker draws if they have a total of 5 or less.

Baccarat game payouts:

• You get 1:1 on your bet if the Player wins.
• You get 1:1 on your bet - 5% if the Banker wins (because the odds are better on this winning bet)
• A tie pays 8:1

Baccarat Games Variants

OK, so want to start playing online baccarat, and you've checked out our recommended casinos. You quickly realize there are different baccarat variants and start to panic.

Firstly, there's no need to panic. The following variants all follow the same basic rules we've just explained. Secondly, the list below will help you enjoy the most popular baccarat games online.

Punto Banco

Almost every online casino live baccarat real money game you play will be Punto (Player) Banco (Bank). The house (i.e., the casino) bankrolls this game, which means you can bet on either the Player or the Banker. This contrasts with variants such as Chemin de Fer, where you can only play as the Banker.

Chemin de Fer

Typically played in Europe, this game allows you to be the Banker. This means you're always getting the best house edge because you can only bet on the Banker.

Baccarat Banque

The rules of Baccarat Banque are virtually identical to Chemin de Fer. However, unlike Chemin de Fer, you're not playing against other people at the table. It's rare to see online live baccarat tables using this set of rules.

No Commission Baccarat

Online casino gambling is all about finding games with the best payouts and lowest house edge. Baccarat has a low house edge, and No Commission variants offer some of the best payouts.

Why? Because you don't pay a 5% commission if the Banker's hand wins.

EZ Baccarat

EZ Baccarat is another No Commission variant, which means it has a better house edge than any other baccarat game online.

The one rule to watch out for in this game involves a third card. Specifically, if the Banker draws three cards and hits a total of 7, it's a push (i.e., it's not classed as a winning bet or losing bet).

European Baccarat

A lot of land-based casinos in Europe offer a type of baccarat that's closely linked to Punto Banco. The only difference you'll notice is how a third card is drawn.

American Baccarat

Anyone who enjoys the social aspect of casino games should try American Baccarat. The game itself is identical to other variants, including Punto Banco and Mini Baccarat.

Where it differs from other baccarat variants is the size of a table. Standard baccarat tables usually have space for six players. American Baccarat tables can seat up to 14.

So, if you happen to find yourself in a land-based casino and want a party-like atmosphere, look out for a packed American Baccarat table.

Baccarat Squeeze

Online casinos in the US offer Baccarat Squeeze because it's dramatic. There's nothing unique about the rules or payouts topping 200:1.

What's different with this variant is the fact that you can slowly reveal your cards (squeeze) rather than have them dealt face up. This adds a nice bit of tension to the game.

Dragon Tiger

This could be the best baccarat online casino game for action players because a single card is dealt to the Player and the Banker.

The highest card wins, which removes the need for drawing additional cards. This speeds up the game dramatically, which allows you to play more hands per hour and potentially increase your EV.

3-Card Baccarat

This variant adds a third card to the mix. Cards are dealt from a standard deck and totals are calculated in the same way as a standard 2-card baccarat game.

The difference, however, is the best possible hand contains 3 face cards (i.e., jacks, queens, kings, and aces). After that, totals are ranked as before, with 9 being the best total.

Macao

Gambling historians believe Macao was a forerunner to baccarat. It was popular in 19th-century Europe, particularly among countries within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Like baccarat, 9 is the magic number, but the twist is that players can buy additional cards. We've not seen Macao offered at the top baccarat online real money sites. However, if you spot it, give it a try.

Varying Side Bets at Different Baccarat Online Casinos

Ask the majority of baccarat strategy experts about side bets, and they'll probably tell you to steer clear.

However, if you don't mind sacrificing a bit of long-term EV for a shot at massive payouts, here are some of the best side bets you can make:

Super 6

Sometimes called Tiger, this side bet pays 12:1 if the Banker's hand wins with a score of 6. Some of the best baccarat sites pay 18:1 on this bonus bet.

Lucky 8

You can add a Lucky 8 side bet when you speculate on the Player or the Banker and get a 4:1 return if your chosen hand wins with 8 points.

The secret tip for this side bet is to choose the Banker because the house edge is 13.65% compared to the inferior 16.6% for the Player hand.

Dragon Bet

Dragon bet is a category of side bets that pay up to 100:1 for natural wins (a win with two cards) or when hands win by a specific margin.

Perfect Pair

This side bet comes in three forms, but both have the same premise: you win with a pair. You win 5:1 if the cards match. You win 25:1 if the cards are an exact match (a perfect pair), and you can win upwards of 250:1 in some variants if both the Player and the Banker make perfect pairs.

Odd/Even

Odd/even doesn't pay as much as other side bets, but it's one of the easiest to win. Why? Because you're picking a hand to win with an odd (0.92:1 payout) or even score (0.91:1).

All Red or All Black

You'll win 22:1 on your side bet if your chosen hand consists of two red cards. You'll win 24:1 if the cards are black.

Why does black pay more? It's a mystery because the odds are the same, so just be grateful for it and bet on black.

Live Casino Baccarat Game Providers

There are plenty of software providers who make exciting casino games, but none are as impressive as Evolution and NetEnt when it comes to payouts, innovations, and aesthetics.

Evolution

Evolution is the authority in live dealer baccarat. In fact, it's the authority on all live casino games due to its commitment to innovation.

From multiple camera angles to live versions of online slots, Evolution's developers are constantly striving to create a unique experience backed by real dealers.

Some of the company's flagship live dealer baccarat games include:

• Salon Privé for its luxurious VIP tables
• Multi-Camera Baccarat
• First Person Lightning Baccarat with payouts topping 262,144x

NetEnt

Creating some of the world's most popular casino games since 1996, NetEnt is an industry OG with more hits than any other software provider.

Although NetEnt was later to the party than some, its list of live dealer games is growing rapidly. NetEnt launched its first live dealer baccarat game in 2020. This speed variant is flanked by Baccarat Pro, a virtual game from NetEnt's Professional Series.

How to Play Baccarat Online?

Here's how to play the best real money and free online baccarat games online:

1. Choose one of our recommended online baccarat casino sites.
2. Tap the secure link and open the registration form.
3. Enter your details and verify your location.
4. Log in and make your first deposit to claim the latest baccarat bonuses.
5. Play baccarat online free or real-money games.

Best Baccarat Online Casino Sites - Key Takeaways

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to play real money and free baccarat online. From classic games hosted by real dealers to big-money variants such as First Person Lightning Baccarat, there's something for everyone at our recommended online casinos.

If you're still on the fence, here are three reasons to play baccarat live online casino games:

• Enjoy real interactions with real dealers.
• Join tables with a low minimum bet and payouts worth over $2 million.
• Switch from virtual to live dealer baccarat tables with innovative First Person technology.

All you need to do now is join some of the best baccarat sites and enjoy one of the oldest casino games in the world.