How to Play Baccarat - The Ultimate Baccarat Online Guide & Strategies
Baccarat is a legendary casino game that is the game of choice for James Bond and other high rollers. It’s also one of the easiest casino table games to play, and there are several variations for you to enjoy at Stake Casino.
Here, we explain everything you need to know about online baccarat games and walk you through the card rules, hands, and even a helpful baccarat betting strategy you can use when playing this much-loved online casino game at Stake.com.
What is Baccarat?
Baccarat is a classic casino card game that dates back to the fifteenth century and originated in Italy. Originally called “baccara,” which means zero in Italian, it was reportedly created by Felix Falguiere, who was using it as Tarot cards. Its popularity soared in France, especially among the nobility, where it evolved into Baccarat as we know it today.
Variations developed over time, such as Chemin de Fer, Baccarat Banque, and Punto Banco, with the latter becoming the most popular variant worldwide. The rise of online gambling further extended its reach, making Baccarat accessible to a wide range of players globally.
The simplicity of the game and its rules contribute to its popularity: The game starts with the Player and Banker each being dealt two cards. Then, there are three possible outcomes at the baccarat table – Player, Banker or Tie, and your job is to bet on which hand will get a score closest to nine.
Something unique about the game of baccarat is that picture cards are worth zero in the game, while aces are worth one. Betting begins before the initial deal, and you must decide which of the three outcomes will win.
As one of the most played casino games in both brick-and-mortar and online casinos, Baccarat is favoured due to its simplicity, easy-to-understand rules, and low house edge. In fact, betting on the Bank is the lowest house edge at 1.06% - one of the lowest of any other gambling game.
How to Play Baccarat?
At first, Baccarat might look intimidating, especially if you’re a beginner, but it’s one of the easiest casino games to learn. The cards are dealt according to set rules, and no complicated decision-making is needed during play. The aim is simply to bet on which hand, the Player or Banker, will have the total closest to nine.
Basic Layout
The Baccarat game is played on a table marked with three primary betting areas: Player, Banker, and Tie. Depending on the version, there can be 7 to 14 players seated, but in online formats, you’re free to join without worrying about space.
The dealer handles all the action, dealing cards and announcing the results. You decide your wager by playing chips representing your bet size in the betting zone. No matter the table size, the layout remains clean and easy to follow, with no flashy distractions.
Rules of Baccarat
Baccarat is played using six to eight decks of cards.The dealer shuffles the cards, and the game begins with two cards being dealt to the Banker and the Player, concluding the initial deal. Adhering to the table minimum, you place your bets in the chosen betting zone.
The values are straightforward: 2-9 keep their face value, the 10s and face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are worth zero, and Aces count as one. In Baccarat, only the last digit of the total matters, so a hand worth 15 becomes a total of 5.
The Banker and Player each get two cards initially, and in some cases, a third card can be drawn based on strict rules, such as Third Card Rules. You don’t make hit-or-stand choices - in Baccarat, the draw is automatic, making it largely a game of chance rather than skill.
Gameplay
Once all bets are placed, the dealer gives two cards to the Player and Banker positions. If either total is 8 or 9, it’s called “Natural Hands”, and the round ends immediately. Otherwise, a third card may be drawn, depending on preset drawing rules.
After all cards are dealt, the winning hand is the one with a total closest to nine. Winnings are paid out instantly before the next round begins. In live dealer games, this happens with authentic casino flair, while in RNG Baccarat Games, it’s rapid-fire, keeping the pace brisk for online players.
Baccarat Odds & Payouts Explained
Baccarat is loved for its low house edge and straightforward betting structure. The probabilities vary slightly depending on whether the game uses six or eight deck variations, but the fundamentals remain consistent.
The Banker bet has the best betting odds, followed closely by the Player bet, while the Tie bet offers high payouts but much lower odds of success. Understanding these numbers can help you make smarter choices, even though Baccarat is a luck-based game.
Banker Bet
In eight-deck baccarat, the Banker bet wins roughly 45.86% of the time, making it the statistically safest betting option. Because of this, casinos apply a 5% commission on Banker wins. The house edge of the Banker's bet sits at about 1.06%, which is among the lowest in the casino. The payout for this bet is slightly less than 1:1 (0.95:1), and despite the commission, it consistently appeals to cautious players who value steady returns over big risks.
Player Bet
The Player bet has a win rate of 44.62% in eight-deck play and offers a 1:1 payout with no commission. Its house edge of the Player's bet sits slightly higher at 1.24%, but many players prefer it simply because it avoids the commission fee. While the player's hand wins less often than the Banker bet, it’s still a solid choice if you’re alternating wagers or following a specific betting pattern.
Tie Bet
This bet pays the most, often 8:1, but comes with a drawback: the house edge of the Tie bet is 14.36%, making it the steepest of the lot. Ties occur about 9.52% of the time, making this a high-risk, high-reward betting option. Some players place small wagers on tie bets occasionally for the sheer excitement factor of it, but relying on them as a main strategy is a fast way to burn through your bankroll.
Side Bets
Some baccarat variants allow side bets, which are separate wagers from the three primary bet types discussed above. A Banker Pair side bet wins 11:1 if the first two cards dealt to the banker's hand are pairs (for example two 5’s or two Kings. In turn, a Player Pair pays 11:1 if the first two Player cards are a pair.
What are the Different Types of Baccarat?
Fundamentally, there are three main variants of baccarat that you can enjoy online – Punto Banco, Baccarat Chemin de Fer, and Baccarat Banque, all of which have different baccarat betting systems.
There are also other types of baccarat played around the world, including Ruyi Baccarat, 3-Card Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Midi Baccarat, Super 6 Baccarat, EZ Baccarat, and Super Pan 9 Baccarat.
At Stake's online casino, you will find many other baccarat titles for your enjoyment, including Evolution Gaming’s outstanding Peek Baccarat. You can also choose from Live Baccarat, Lightning Baccarat, Golden Wealth Baccarat, Bac Bo, and other titles to keep things interesting.
Stake’s Exclusive games such as Speed Baccarat Live and Pragmatic Play’s Korean Speed Baccarat Live and Mega Baccarat Live are also excellent options. Live88’s Baccarat Live is also available at Stake.com.
When you’re just starting out with baccarat, it makes sense to stick to the game’s original version, but you can mix things up and try some of the variations when you become more confident at the baccarat table.
Baccarat Betting Strategies & Tips
Baccarat is a game of luck, so winning strategies will only take you so far. That being said, some strategic betting systems can help you with bankroll management and allow you to approach the game with a planned structure.
Popular betting systems include:
Fibonacci: Increase your bets following a 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc. sequence. The Fibonacci System aims to recover gradually, especially after a loss.
Paroli: In this positive progression Paroli System, you double bets after wins to capitalise on streaks.
Labouchere: Also called the split Martingale, the Labouchere System uses a set number sequence to determine bet sizes, crossing off numbers after wins.
1-3-2-6 Sequence: Also known as the 1-3-2-4 system, you adjust your bets over four steps in the 1-3-2-6 system for short winning streaks.
Martingale: You double your bet after each loss, making the Martingale betting system a high-risk system for players seeking to recover losses in one win.
D’Alembert: Here, you increase or decrease bets by one unit after a loss or win, offering a gentler progression.
Understanding Banker drawing rules is also essential; for example, the Third Card Rule means the Banker draws a third card in more scenarios than the Player, which partly explains its statistical edge. Probability also shifts slightly between eight-deck and six-deck games, with Banker bets retaining a narrow advantage in both scenarios.
Mix things up by playing different variations of baccarat to keep things interesting – we have a wide selection of classic and live casino variations of this popular game. Regardless of the system you use, it’s important to set clear limits, avoid chasing losses, and treat Baccarat as entertainment first.
We offer resourceful how-to guides, including a casino card game, how to play live casino games, and an ultimate guide to online casinos, to help you play baccarat and other exciting games at Stake Casino. Stay updated with new releases by joining the Stake Chat and regularly checking our community forum.
How to Start Playing Baccarat at Stake Casino?
Baccarat is one of the best games available at Stake Casino and is super popular due to its simplicity. There are many different forms of baccarat you can play, but fundamentally, the rules are very similar. If you’re keen to get started with baccarat at Stake, here are the simple steps that you need to follow:
Step 1: Create an account at Stake.com. The first step is to create a free account at Stake.com to access our extensive game library.
Step 2: Deposit funds easily. After creating an account, decide which local currency or cryptocurrency you would like to add to your account, choosing from the likes of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and others.
Step 3: Choose which baccarat game to play. At Stake.com, you will find many baccarat variations to enjoy in classic table games and live dealer games.
Step 4: Play and win. Read your chosen title’s game rules and instructions, place your bets, and win some hands.
Step 5: Withdraw your winnings. All that’s left is to withdraw your baccarat winnings. You can benefit from instant payouts at Stake.com, another reason to play this legendary table game at Stake.
Deposit & Withdrawal Methods for Baccarat on Stake
To start playing Baccarat at Stake, you can fund your betting account with cryptocurrency or local currency.
We currently accept numerous local currencies , such as ARS, CLP, CAD, VND, INR, and TRY, and you can also view your balance in your preferred currency. Read our local currency payment guide to easily deposit and withdraw.
Playing Baccarat with crypto is easy, and you can deposit various accepted cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, USDT, EOS, Doge, LTC, SOL, TRX and more. We recommend Mesh, a reliable payment system, for seamless crypto payments.
Our platform provides Moonpay and Swapped.com , which are both reliable crypto exchanges to easily buy your chosen crypto. Need help choosing the right coin for you? Contact our customer support staff for help with any issues including depositing and withdrawing units.
At Stake, your funds are safe in our Stake Vault and easily accessible for your gameplay session. Our crypto security guide provides all the info you need about securely storing your funds at Stake.com.
Betting Promotions, VIP Club & Responsible Gambling
At Stake Casino, we offer numerous ways to enhance your online gaming experience. Take advantage of our latest casino bonuses, promotions, and fair wagering requirement bonus deals exclusive to Stake members.
For even more exclusive rewards. Join our VIP Club at Stake.com. As you climb the levels, you can enjoy rakeback bonuses, reload offers, and a VIP host on higher levels. Learn more about our prestige club in the VIP FAQs post on our blog.
Please always remember to bet within your means and gamble responsibly. Stay in control with our Stake Smart guidelines, where you can find helpful resources, such as a monthly budget calculator, betting limit tools to mitigate your risk, and safe tips on betting limits to determine how much of your disposable income you can afford to allocate to gambling.
Keen to explore more casino table games online? Check out our favourite games, including Blackjack games, Roulette, Video Poker, and more, with free demo games from various software providers available to play!
