Baccarat is the world’s most popular casino game. It has a long history in Europe but has only recently become well elsewhere. Today, the casinos in Macau make most of their money from baccarat, with USD3.69 billion made in 2020 during a pandemic, down from USD15.7 billion in 2019. Whilst the casinos make a lot of money from the game, players too can win real money. Here is what you need to know before you start playing baccarat online.

How to play

Baccarat is a simple game in which players bet on the “Player” or “Banker” hand. The dealer does the rest following a fixed set of rules. This makes playing baccarat online one of the easiest games as players have to do little but lay a bet as to which hand will be closer to nine. Cards hold their face value with 10-count cards counted as zero and aces as one. If the cards total more than nine, 10 is subtracted for the final figure.

Low house edge

The average house edge at a casino for baccarat is around 1.2 per cent on banker and player bets. The house edge for a tie bet is more than 14 per cent, though pays out at odds of 8:1. Serious bettors do not bet on a tie.

The low house edge makes baccarat a popular game since players have the chance to win big, with some casinos offering high betting limits. This means that casinos can potentially make or lose millions of dollars in hours, with a high-roller betting USD10,000 a hand in with the chance of winning USD1 million. For those starting out, it is wise to choose a baccarat game at lower minimum tables.

Choosing the best online baccarat site

Not all online casinos are equal. With the huge increase in popularity of online gaming, there are many unscrupulous players launching websites to unwittingly part players from their money. Implementing the tips below will ensure that your personal information is kept safe, that the baccarat games you play are fair and that winnings will be paid out swiftly.

Safety first

Check that the site uses Secure Socket Layers (SSL) encryption technology. Reputable online casinos are licensed, with the license number displayed at the base of the site’s home page. Check this number with the licensing authority to check that the license is still valid and has not been withdrawn. An additional check can be made with the regulatory authority in the region that check for fairness in games, such as eCOGRA which partners with operators to establish trust in a casino.

Read reviews of the site

Reviews from past and present players on the site can help you decide if the site is credible and reliable. These reviews will usually discuss the value of bonuses and promotions, whether the promised 24/7 customer support works well in the formats offered (live chat, email or telephone) and whether the games appear to be fair. Also important is an assurance that winnings are honored and paid out promptly.