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Thanks to the online casino sites in the UK, Baccarat, the popular ‘James Bond card game’, is just a few clicks away. And you get a lot of variations for it, too! In this guide, we will be talking about how you can play Baccarat online, variations of the game, and the best casinos in the UK to play at.
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What is online Baccarat?
Baccarat, also known as Punto Banco, is a card game that can be found in online casinos as well as physical ones – and in this guide, we will be focusing on the online counterpart. Online Baccarat follows the same rules of Baccarat found in land-based casinos. So if you’re playing the classic Punto Banco, you won’t see any difference.
In addition to the original version, software providers go a step ahead and blend in additional gamification features like side bets or multipliers. Plus, you will also find modified versions of the game, like ‘Speed Baccarat, which has short and quick rounds.
History of Baccarat
Before we go ahead, let’s have a quick look at the origins of the game. Baccarat is said to be one of the oldest casino games on the planet. Felix Falguiere, an Italian gambler, is often credited for inventing Baccarat. However, the exact origins of the game are unclear.
In any case, Baccarat became popular in France in the 19th century. It was especially popular among the French nobility. By the end of the century, the card game had made its way to the US – thanks to European travellers.
Different variations of Baccarat, like Punto Banco, Baccarat Banque, Chemin de Fer, and more, were popularised in the 1950s. And in the more recent years, the card game gained renewed limelight with the James Bond novels and movies.
Best online casinos in the UK for Baccarat
Before we dive any further into the guide, let’s look at some of the best casinos for players in the UK that offer a
| Casino | Welcome Bonus | Our Rating |
| Casumo | Up to €300 + 50 Free Spins | ⭐ 9.8/10 |
| MrQ | 30 Free Spins | ⭐ 9.8/10 |
| SpinYoo | 100% deposit bonus of up to £250 | ⭐ 9.3/10 |
| PlayOJO | 50 No-wager free spins | ⭐ 9.0/10 |
| Pub Casino | 100% deposit match up to £100 | ⭐ 9.0/10 |
Our team at Platin Casino UK has reviewed more online casino sites. So, if none of the options listed here appeal to you, you can check our other casino reviews.
Types of Baccarat Games Online
Just like other casino games, Baccarat also has a few variations. Here’s a quick list of popular Baccarat variants –
Punto Banco
The most common version is Punto Banco, where the casino banks the game, and players focus solely on betting. You have to bet on one of three outcomes – Player (Punto), Banker (Banco), or a Tie (Égalité) – and that’s it. This version is quite straightforward and quick, so it’s great for beginners as well as casual players. Many real money casinos in the UK offer this Baccarat, so you will find a game quite easily.
Chemin de Fer
This is a more interactive type of Baccarat where players take turns acting as the Banker. Plus, players have the option to draw or stand when holding a hand total of 5, which makes it a bit more complex than basic Baccarat. Compared to the Punto Banco version, Chemin de Fer is not commonly offered in a lot of casinos. This variant is more popular in France and other European countries.
Baccarat Banque
The Baccarat Banque is quite similar to Chemin de Fer, but the Banker role is more fixed and offers more betting options. Unlike in Chemin de Fer, the Banker does not rotate and is often held by the player with the largest stake. Three hands are dealt—two for the players and one for the Banker. Players can bet on either of the two player hands or the Banker’s hand. Not a lot of online casinos offer this variant, as it is not popular with players in the UK.
No Commission Baccarat
A No Commission Baccarat game eliminates the typical 5% commission on Banker bets, offering a slightly different payout structure. Here, players receive even money payouts except when the Banker wins with a total of 6, in which case the payout is 0.5:1. There are quite a few software providers that offer No Commission Baccarat, so you should be able to find a game easily.
How to play online Baccarat?
Now, we won’t be getting into the specifics of how the game works, the rules of Baccarat, or strategies to win. In this section, we will give you a rundown of what you need to do to access online Baccarat games.
- First of all, you need to find a UKGC-licensed casino that offers Baccarat games
- You will need to sign up at the casino and verify your identity
- Then, you will need to make a deposit that is sufficient for a few Baccarat rounds
Once you’re all set, you need to explore a few Baccarat games to get started. Below, we have explained two main forms of Baccarat – the 2D RNG-based games and the live dealer versions.
Online Baccarat
By online Baccarat, we mean the Baccarat games that are 2D and based on the Random Number Generator (RNG) software. These games are not hosted by a live dealer and they resemble a video game.
Much like online slots, 2D RNG-based table games can also be played for free. You can load these games in the demo version and try them out with the in-game currency. While this is a great way to try the games for free before you wager your real money, note that you won’t be able to win any rewards. This is a great way to learn a new game hands-on and see if you like it.
When you do decide to be real money, you can switch to the real money version. Most 2D baccarat games have low minimum and maximum bets, which makes them accessible to a wider audience.
Further, these games are not very demanding, so they can be played on any device – as long as you have WiFi or mobile internet. Most casino games are optimised for mobile, so you should have no issues playing baccarat on the go.
Live Baccarat
Like other live dealer games, live baccarat is hosted by a live dealer. The game is streamed from a studio, and it happens in real-time. The whole point of live baccarat is to mimic the baccarat experience that you get at a physical casino.
Unlike the 2D baccarat games we talked about, you cannot play live dealer baccarat for free or get a demo. However, you can read online reviews or watch videos to get an idea of what the game might look like.
Most live dealer Baccarat titles will likely have higher minimum and maximum bets, which is great for high rollers and seasoned players. However, this might not work out for players who are looking for something quick and casual.
Live casino games are optimised for mobile, so you can play on your tablet or mobile as well. Compared to 2D RNG-based baccarat games, live baccarat titles need a steady internet connection for uninterrupted streaming.
| We asked Umer Khan (who used to be a live blackjack dealer) from our team to explain the difference between a live baccarat game and an RNG-based iteration of it. This is what he said – “Basically, live casino games are meant to give you a more real-life casino experience. You can interact with the dealer and the players. The 2D games lack this social element,” he said. He added that players have to invest time to make the most out of their live baccarat game. “You need to dedicate enough time and have comfortable seating. You are likely to have more fun if you’re viewing live baccarat on a decent-sized monitor and a recliner than a mobile phone screen,” Umer explained. |
Play Baccarat with a bonus
You will enjoy online baccarat a bit more if you play with a bonus. A lot of casinos in the UK offer bonuses that can be used on live dealer games. Here are some of the bonuses that you might come across –
- Welcome bonus: Some casinos offer a welcome package that offers bonus funds for live casino games. You can use it for live or other baccarat games.
- Cashback bonus: A lot of casinos offer weekly cashback on live casino games. You can use these bonus funds on live baccarat rounds.
- Reload bonus: A casino reload bonus is offered on a deposit, where usually the casino matches your deposit
- VIP/Loyalty program: Sometimes, these promotions offer bonus funds that can be used on baccarat games
Please read the bonus T&Cs and make sure you fully understand how the bonus works before claiming it.
Online Baccarat on mobile
Most online casino sites are built using HTML 5, which makes them responsive on various devices. This means if you open a casino site on your mobile, it will adapt to the screen size. Further, most software providers optimise their games for mobiles and tablets, so you should be able to play Baccarat on your phone.
Further, some casinos go a step ahead and offer a dedicated mobile app. With a mobile app, you can get a smoother and more optimised experience on-the-go. In any case, you should be able to play Baccarat games on your phone without a hitch.
Best Baccarat games to try
As we mentioned, you will find a lot of different Baccarat games at your chosen online casino. If you don’t know where to start, here are some recommendations from our team –
| Game | Software Provider | Description |
| Live Baccarat | Evolution Gaming | The classic Baccarat game hosted by a live dealer |
| No Commission Baccarat | Ezugi | Live dealer Baccarat that eliminates the 5% commission on winning Banker bets. In this game, winning Banker bets are paid at even money (1:1) |
| Red Envelope | Evolution Gaming | Baccarat with a special ‘Red Envelope’ feature that drops a multiplier randomly and increases your potential for big wins |
| Speed Cricket Baccarat | Ezugi | This cricket-themed Baccarat speeds up the game and offers unique side bets for more excitement |
| Punto Banco | Red Tiger | This is a straightforward Punto Banco game, so it’s great for people who like the original game or beginners who want to learn. |
| Baccarat | OneTouch | This is a classic Baccarat game with a ‘Squeeze’ feature and side bets that adds more excitement. |
Of course, there are many more Baccarat games available – these are just some of our recommendations.
| I have worked in the iGaming industry for over 3 years, and I have reviewed hundreds of games. From my experience, I’d recommend playing a 2D Baccarat game for free in the demo version. Once you get familiar with the basic game, you can try out modified versions that have side bets and other features. |
Conclusion
Summing it up, a lot of casino sites in the UK offer Baccarat games and their variations. Compared to Poker and Roulette, Baccarat is easier to learn and play. You will be able to play Baccarat online in two ways – live or the 2D table game version. A lot of casinos also offer bonuses for live casino games – so if you’re a regular, then don’t miss out on the promotions. All you have to do is find a licensed and reputable casino and get started on your next Bacarrat game.
FAQs
As mentioned in our guide, you can find Baccarat games (live as well as non-live variants) at most online casinos that cater to players in the UK.
Yes, most online casino sites in the UK offer live as well as 2D RNG-based baccarat games.
Yes, you can play Baccarat on your mobile, as most casino games are optimised for mobile usage.
Baccarat typically involves a 5% commission for all Banker hand wins. However, a No Commission Bacarrat game has a slightly different payout structure and eliminates the 5% commission.
