🃏 Where can I play free Baccarat online?

Most online casinos offer free Baccarat games. This allows you to practice before playing for real money.

🃏 Which type of Baccarat should I choose?

This is up to you. It depends on if you want to play alongside other people, how much you want to wager (or if you want to play free Baccarat).

🃏 Is counting cards a thing in Baccarat?

Unlike in Blackjack, counting cards won’t work as the player makes no decisions. Baccarat is a game of chance – it is as simple as that.

🃏 How does the chance of winning compare to other casino table games?

The chances of winning are actually among the highest in Baccarat. Online Blackjack and craps can be compared to Baccarat in this regard.

🃏 Can I win at Baccarat in the long run?

While the house edge ensures that the casino will profit in the long run, you can increase your chances of winning by stopping when you're ahead.

How to play Baccarat?

Author: Conrad Brennan

Updated:22.04.2025

Review process

Ad Disclosure

Baccarat is a thrilling, fast-paced card game known for its high chances of winning. It has garnered a lot of attention, often linked to the suave character of James Bond. There are conflicting theories about its origins; some believe it started in Italy during the 15th century, while others claim it to be French in origin.

The game is quite straightforward: it is played between two parties – the player and the banker. You have the option to place bets on the player, the banker, or whether the game will end in a tie. Two hands are dealt, and the winner is the one whose total is closest to 9.

Baccarat comes in various forms worldwide, and you can experience them all at a reputable casino for Canadian players . The North American variant is called Punto Banco, while other types include Chemin de Fer, Mini Baccarat, and Baccarat Banque. Each version may utilize a different number of card decks and accommodates varying player counts. You can practice Baccarat online with a virtual dealer or enjoy a live dealer experience.

Baccarat table explained

The Blackjack and Mini Baccarat tables vary in size according to the version of the game being played. A full-size Baccarat table can host up to 14 players, while a Mini table caters for 5 to 7 participants. The minimum bets also vary depending on the table's capacity.

In addition to Big and Mini tables, there are Midi options that allow for up to 9 players. Games such as Chemin de Fer and Punto Banco can support 6 to 9 players at a time.

Bet types

In this relatively straightforward game, you have three different betting options.

Banker bet

The betting option with the lowest house edge, which favors players considerably.
Player bet

Offers the second-lowest house edge without any commissions.
Tie bet

Equals card values for both the player and the banker.

Baccarat scoreboard

The scoring board is a useful resource for managing and observing your bets.

Banker wins

A red circle will light up on the scoreboard when the banker bet wins.
Player wins

Conversely, a blue circle signifies a win for the player bet on the scoreboard.
Draw

A green line crossing out a circle indicates that the round ended in a tie on the scoreboard.

Baccarat card value

In Baccarat, the values of the cards are calculated while the suits hold no significance. Face cards and tens are valued at zero, while Aces are worth one. Cards numbered 2 through 9 hold their face values.

Probabilities of each total after two cards drawn

The table below outlines your odds of achieving point totals from 0 to 9 with two-card combinations:

Probability of card combinations in Baccarat
2-Card Combinations in Baccarat
Total	6–DECK	8–DECK
0	14.7168%	14.7359%
1	9.4979%	9.4903%
2	9.4484%	9.4532%
3	9.4979%	9.4903%
4	9.4484%	9.4532%
5	9.4979%	9.4903%
6	9.4484%	9.4532%
7	9.4979%	9.4903%
8	9.4484%	9.4532%
9	9.4979%	9.4903%

Example Hand #1

Ace plus King

If you were playing Blackjack, this hand would be a winner, marking a solid start in numerous other card games. But in Baccarat, its value is solely 1:

King (0) + Ace (1) = 1

If this hand belonged to the player, a third card would be drawn following the established drawing protocols.

Example Hand #2

Four plus Five

This combination represents the best possible hand in Baccarat, totaling 9.

Four (4) + Five (5) = 9

If you get an 8 or 9, it's referred to as a natural win, meaning it automatically wins unless the other hand scores higher (8 vs 9) or matches (9 vs 9), resulting in a tie.

Example Hand #3

Nine plus Seven

These two cards create a sum of 16. However, in Baccarat, the total card value cannot surpass 9, so you subtract 10, rendering this hand worth 6.

Nine (9) + Seven (7) = 16 - 10 = 6

Example Hand #4

Nine plus Ace

This combination yields a total value of 0.

Nine (9) + Ace (1) = 10 - 10 = 0

In this scenario, a third card would need to be drawn and added to 0. If that card is a five, your overall hand value would now be 5.

Best Bets in Baccarat

As previously mentioned, the banker bet has a slight advantage over the player's bet. But what's the reason behind it?

With eight decks in play, Baccarat offers a staggering 4,998,398,275,503,360 possible combinations to achieve a 4, 5, or 6 card hand between player and banker.

Out of those nearly 5 quadrillion combinations:

2,292,252,566,437,888 – result in banker wins.
2,230,518,282,592,256 – result in player wins.

475,627,426,473,216 – result in ties.

Those colossal numbers can be overwhelming, but when expressed as percentages with a 5% commission on Banker wins, the statistics become clearer:

Banker bet win/lose probability
Banker Bet – 8 Decks
Event	Pays	Probability	Return
Banker Wins	0.95	45.8597%	43.5667%
Player Wins	-1	44.6247%	-44.6247%
Tie	0	9.51%	-1.05%

Player bet win/lose probability
Player Bet – 8 Decks
Event	Pays	Probability	Return
Banker Wins	-1	45.8597%	-45.8597%
Player Wins	1	44.6247%	44.6247%
Tie	0	9.51%	0

Instruction

1. Place the bet

Betting in Baccarat is incredibly straightforward. Regardless of the game variant, you will find clear sections for your chips labeled as 'Player,' 'Banker,' and 'Tie,' with 'Player' nearest to you and 'Tie' the farthest.

2. Anticipate the dealer distributing your cards

After placing your bets, the dealer will initiate the deal, distributing two hands. At this point, you cannot adjust your chips any longer. Two cards will be drawn for both the Banker and Player, and based on the totals, a third card could be drawn. Ultimately, the winner is determined at this stage.

3. Payout

Understanding the payout structure is quite simple. Both the Banker and Player bets pay 1:1, but there is typically a 5% commission on Banker wins, while Tie bets payout either 1:8 or 1:9. This can vary by the casino, so it's essential to check before you start wagering.

Baccarat types

Various types of Baccarat introduce different table layouts that allow you to play solo or with others, involving one, two, or three dealers. Minimum bet amounts also vary accordingly, and while basic betting options exist, some may allow side bets.

1. Big Baccarat

This is the standard full-size version that most physical casinos feature. The table is oval-shaped, with a U-shaped dealer area on each side for three dealers. Up to 14 players can join at once, with numbered spots from 1 to 15, omitting number 13.

2. Mini Baccarat

This layout is a semi-circle with only 5 (or sometimes 7) player seats. The positions bear numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6, skipping number 4 due to its unlucky connotations. There is one dealer who stands opposite the participants.

3. Online Baccarat

The Online Baccarat table resembles the compact Mini table, where you're playing in solitude against a virtual dealer. The three betting options remain the same: banker, player, and tie, with Player being the closest to your position. Some online venues even offer side bets, and there’s usually an option to try out free online Baccarat.

4. Live dealer Baccarat

In this particular online variant, the gameplay adheres to the standard Baccarat rules, and real personnel deal the cards. This setup provides an authentic casino vibe while allowing interaction with several other players.

Best strategies that might help you

Playing Baccarat in a casino context gives you some of the most favorable odds of winning compared to many other games available. However, it moves quickly, and knowing the rules is crucial to boost your winning chances. In contrast to Blackjack or Poker, the major decision at the Baccarat table is determining your wager and how frequently to place bets.

Always avoid the Tie bet

Although a payout of 1:8 or even 1:9 seems attractive, the likelihood of winning on a tie bet is actually very low. The odds of winning a tie stand at merely 9.54%, so unless you’re engaging in free Baccarat, it’s wise to avoid these bets.

Bet with the Banker

This is a fundamental strategy rooted in basic mathematics. The return to player payout percentage is an impressive 98.94%, implying that if you wager 100 bets of $1, statistically, you will receive back $98.94. Even accounting for the customary 5% commission on Banker bets, this remains a better option than betting on the Player.

The D’Alembert System

The approach proposed by the French theorist revolves around the idea that victories and losses will ultimately balance out. You decide on a betting unit, whether it’s a single chip or $1. For each loss, you raise your next wager by one unit, and for every win, you reduce your next wager by one unit.

Online vs Live dealer

Online Baccarat

A wide variety of Baccarat types can be available when playing in an online casino.
Many casinos offer mobile versions of the game so you can play Baccarat online even when you are on the move.
The pace of the game adapts to you. You can place as many bets as you want within a short time.
You can play Baccarat online free or for real money.
There is no risk when playing free online Baccarat and you can get better before you try out the live dealer version.
In many online casinos, you can place side bets on Baccarat so you have more choices than the usual Banker, Player, and Tie.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Playing with a Live Dealer transports your senses to a real casino. There is an actual person in a good-looking uniform.
As convenient as playing Online Baccarat but the thrill is on a different level.
You can pick your dealer who seems/looks the nicest to you.
The pace can be slower as you have to wait for a human to shuffle and deal the cards and other players can be slow to place their bets.
Some casinos allow you to play Baccarat online free in a demo with no stakes.
If there are no free seats, you might need to wait to play, but at least you can put down your name on a waiting list.

Top Baccarat Casinos

1

ICE Casino

Rating:6.9/10

● Weekly cashback offer of C$2,000
● More than 4,000 games
● Customer support available 24/7
● Withdrawals processed within 12 hours
● eCOGRA RNG-testing certificate

2

SpinFever Casino

Rating:6.6/10

● Over 4,200 games
● Bonuses available every day
● Highest Payout Tables on Slots
● Up to 15% cashback weekly
● Ultra Fast Payments
● Instant deposits with Interac

3

Leon Casino

Rating:6.5/10

● Over 4,500+ games from 70+ providers
● Both Kahnawake and Curacao licenses are recognized.
● Really low minimum withdrawals of $2
● No-deposit bonus available
● An enhanced loyalty program where points can be redeemed.

4

Jokersino Casino

Rating:6.6/10

● Over 4,000 games
● Section with sports and live casino
● The wager on the welcome bonus is 5x

5

Lemon Casino

Rating:8.3/10

● Over 4,800 slots and 400+ live games
● Daily no deposit free spins on the Lemon Lotto Wheel.
● Treasure Boxes - A Loyalty Program
● Non-sticky welcome bonuses
● No wager 7% weekly cashback

FAQ

🃏 Where can I find free Baccarat games online?

Numerous online casinos provide complimentary Baccarat games, enabling you to hone your skills before wagering real money.

🃏 What type of Baccarat suits me best?

That largely depends on your preferences—whether you wish to engage with others, how much you want to wager, or if you prefer free Baccarat play.

🃏 Is card counting feasible in Baccarat?

Unlike in Blackjack, counting cards isn't effective in Baccarat since the player does not make choices. Essentially, Baccarat is a game of chance.

🃏 How does winning probability in Baccarat compare to other table games?

Baccarat boasts among the highest winning probabilities compared to many other table games, similarly aligning with online Blackjack and craps.

🃏 Can I achieve long-term winnings in Baccarat?

While the house edge guarantees that the casino will profit over time, your chances of winning can improve if you know when to quit while you're ahead.