When it comes to live dealer Baccarat, the rules are pretty similar to the ones that were used hundreds of years ago. Sometimes referred to as Punto Banco, the game of Baccarat has been around for centuries and is probably one of the oldest card games to have stood the test of time.
Generally associated with affluence, and the occasional James Bond association, Baccarat is a high rollers’ game, with some of the strongest casinos in this field really going the extra mile to accommodate their players in the past. The Internet however, has made this game widely more accessible, with live dealer baccarat today presenting itself as a significantly less complicated game, with simplified rules, and a variety of tables to cater for a whole range of bankrolls.
Live Baccarat have gained popularity over the years, mostly due to their relatively low house edge when compared to other popular card games. The rules are also pretty simple; choose one of the three wagering options available and place your bet.
Even if you’ve never played a Baccarat live game before, this post will highlight the game’s rules, as well as offer tips regarding the best strategies and specifications associated with the various live dealer Baccarat online casino variations – let’s get right to it.
Rules For Live Dealer Baccarat
Even though the rules for live dealer Baccarat appear to be relatively simple; placing a wager on either the ‘Player’ the ‘Banker’ or on a ‘Tie’ and allowing your live dealer to do the rest, there are still a number of things you’re going to want to keep in mind, especially if you’re a new player. Here’s what to expect:
o The dealer will originally deal two hands, one for the Banker and the other for the Player. These refer to your betting options and not the actual game participants.
o You’ll then be required to bet on the predicted outcome, with Banker, Player or Tie wagers available to choose from.
o Once all bets are in, then two cards are dealt to each of the Banker and Player positions.
o The hand that’s closest to nine in value wins the round
It’s also handy to keep in mind that in live dealer Baccarat, Aces are worth one point, Tens and face cards are worth zero points, while the rest of the pack retains its numeric face value. The best hand outcome, of course, is a Natural nine, with the second two-card scenario being a Natural eight and so on.
If the hand number exceeds nine in value, then double digits are added to one another. That’s to say that if a particular hand holds two Sevens for instance for a total of 14, then that particular hand is calculated as 1+4 = 5. A third card may also be drawn by either the Player or the Banker if their final hand value is less than five points in total for the player, and two points for the Banker.
In terms of wins when it comes to live dealer baccarat at online casinos, the Player’s hand pays 1:1, the Banker’s 0.95:1, while a Tie generally pays 8:1 as this is definitely the least regular occurrence.
Betting Limits When Playing Live Baccarat At Platincasino
When it comes to playing live dealer Baccarat games at Platincasino, you’re presented with a number of games to choose from depending on your gaming style and bankroll expectations.
The good news here is that this section is entirely run by Evolution Gaming, who are renowned world-leaders in this area. Offering a series of games that are streamed live from Evolution studios around the world, these live dealer Baccarat casino online games offer an experience that’s as close as it gets to a real-life scenario online.
All live dealers have been professionally trained in order to lead the game, with several game options to choose from including Speed Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze, and Baccarat Control Squeeze amongst others.
In general, most games start with as little as a 10p bet at minimum bet all the way up to £1,000 per round in most cases. The game limits for every game are clearly indicated once the game loads up which generally makes life easier, and you’re also given the option of messaging the dealer via the chat function should you require any further clarification.
Playing Live Dealer Baccarat Games At Platincasino
While there’s a whole range of live dealer Baccarat games to choose from at Platincasino UK, it’s always a good idea to have a clear idea of what to expect before joining a live game. Some of the most popular options out here include:
1. Baccarat Control Squeeze
2. Baccarat Squeeze
3. Speed Baccarat
4. Standard Live Baccarat
Baccarat Control Squeeze
This Evolution live dealer Baccarat game puts you in the driver’s seat allowing you to do all the squeezing. This game is a spin on Macau’s wildly popular Baccarat Squeeze which functions in pretty much the same way.
In this live dealer Baccarat variant, the game is played across bespoke card game tables with glass panel inlays. There are two cameras placed right underneath the glass to display the cards in question on your screen.
In this case, your dealer is able to interact with all the game’s players, explaining the rules of the game whenever there are any discrepancies, as well as advising players on the squeezes they’re able to make as well as offer guidance with regards to betting options.
Each of the cards on the table is temporarily obscured using optical filters. In order to reveal their values, players are invited to click on the corner of their preferred card, peeling back the filter and revealing a portion of the card.
Apart from that, the standard features of Baccarat live games remain, with players able to place their bets on the Player, Banker, or Tie options available.
Baccarat Squeeze
Squeezing cards before they are revealed can prove to be massively entertaining when playing live dealer Baccarat games online. This time we’ve got another variant of the classic Baccarat game, with the only difference lying in the way the cards are dealt.
Instead of dealing cards face up, as you’d expect to see in a regular Baccarat live game, the dealer will deal the cards face down instead in Baccarat Squeeze. The cards are then folded slightly by the dealer, building up the tension as the final outcome is revealed.
Keep in mind however, that as hugely entertaining watching the cards being squeezed, it has no actual effect on the end result, which means that this variation of Baccarat is played in the exact same way you’d expect it, with bets once again being placed on the Banker, Player, as well as the Tie bet.
There are also additional side bets available which are typical of Evolution live games which include the ‘Banker Pair’ and the ‘Player Pair’.
Speed Baccarat
When it comes to Speed Baccarat, the game rules and structure is pretty simple. In this case, the Baccarat live game available doesn’t include any squeezes or multiple camera options, nor does it include random shuffling.
Instead, each game round lasts just under 30 seconds when compared to the standard 48 seconds regular Baccarat rounds last, with around ten seconds dedicated to placing your bet rather than the usual 15. Once again, the game offers three wagering options which include the Banker winning, the Player winning, or a Tie between the two hands. Here’s a live dealer Baccarat online casino game that’s best suited for those players who value their time.
Standard Live Baccarat
Inspired by the finest Asian casinos in Macau where Baccarat is king, standard Baccarat live games are streamed live from Evolution studios in Latvia, with a gold and red theme running throughout.
In this variation, all cards are dealt dace down with the usual Player, Banker and Tie wagers available to all players. Once again, you’re able to interact with the Dealer via the messaging function to your left should you have any queries regarding the game. It’s important to keep in mind however that this function should not turn into a social chat out of respect for other players.
This game offers a single camera view, that starts by featuring your live dealer and then zooms in to offer a close up of the current game cards as they’re revealed. You’re able to view this game in full screen or in mixed screen mode depending on your personal preferences.
Baccarat Betting Odds Explained – Percentages To Keep In Mind
You might have never played live dealer Baccarat at online casinos before because you thought it was complicated, or perhaps you might have been under the impression that this is solely a high rollers’ game and would not be particularly suited to you. The good news here is that those statements are both popular online casino myths which we’re about to dispel.
The truth is that Baccarat live games are probably the easiest to learn, and working out the odds of each game is relatively simple. This is mainly due to the fact that as explained earlier on, there are only three main bets available, especially when compared to more complex live games such as Live Roulette or live Blackjack.
So when it comes to odds, you might be led to assume that both the Banker and the Player bets have an equal chance of winning. However, we all know what they say about assumptions, and this definitely applies to live dealer Baccarat games.
In this case, the odds of winning on the Player stand at a 44.62% chance, while winning on the Banker stands at 45.68%. The unlikely Tie bet stands at a mere 9.52% which is why the odds are significantly higher in this. case. More about tie bet, in our Baccarat Tie Bet Strategy guide
This discrepancy is mainly due to the fact that the Banker’s hand is dealt second, which offers a slight advantage to the house as is the case with Blackjack for instance. With that in mind, you must be probably asking yourselves why everyone wouldn’t just et always on Banker, however to counterbalance these odds, online casinos often introduce a small commission whenever a player wins on a Banker bet that’s usually set at 5%. This implies that you’ve placed a £10 wager on the Banker, then you’re most likely to receive a £9.50 win rather than £10 if the cards happen to play out in your favour.
Even though these margins are extremely thin, several guides to live dealer Baccarat online casino games tend to recommend still betting on Banker as part of your overall Baccarat bet strategy, even though there’s a commission included when betting on the baccarat banker draw. Nevertheless, even though it’s probably the most logical of bets, the beauty of card games is switching things up when you’d least expect it, adding an additional dimension of entertainment to the game.
Baccarat House Edge And Payouts
One of the reasons why live dealer Baccarat is so incredibly popular is that apart from being relatively simple to play, the payout structure is also quite easy to understand. Out of all the leading card games available at online casinos, Baccarat is definitely the one that retains the lowest house edge, with the exception of Blackjack, but only when played by extremely advanced players.
But what is house edge anyway? This percentage refers to the competitive edge enjoyed by the online casino, that statistically guarantees it’s able to remain in business and entertain its players. Statistically, when it comes to Baccarat live games, you’re likely to lose £1.06 for every £100 wagered, however just like any other casino game nothing is ever set in stone.
The reality is that there’s a good chance that you might win or lose more during a single game or multiple session, however over the long-term Baccarat odd statistics eventually even out.
Live Dealer Baccarat Side Bets
When playing live dealer Baccarat games at your favourite online casino, you might come to realise that certain baccarat side bets rules come into play in some games. Many players tend to consider this an entertaining option to shake things up a little since there are only three standard bets available, which might grow slightly repetitive over the course of several game rounds. In the case of Baccarat live games offered at Platincasino UK, possible side bet options include:
o Player Pair / Banker Pair – these side bets both pay 11:1
o Perfect Pair – this side bet pays 25:1
o Either Pair – this side bet pays 5:1
Advantages Of Playing Live Dealer Baccarat At Platincasino
One of the main advantages of playing a live dealer Baccarat game at a reputable casino such as Platincasino, is the peace of mind in knowing that the game is licensed and regulated by a competent authority, the UK Gambling Commission in our case. This implies that apart from being perfectly safe and fair to play, it’s also legal to gamble here.
Apart from that, you’re able to enjoy all of your favourite table games including Baccarat from the comfort of your own home, streamed directly across all devices. Play your preferred games on your computer or laptop, on your tablet devices including e-readers such as your Kindle, as well as on your mobile phone. With no additional downloads or installation required, all you’ve got to do is log in to your Platincasino UK account using a standard browser and get all your favourite games loaded up in no time.
Apart from that, live dealer Baccarat offers the additional opportunity for you to interact with a real dealer as well as other players on your table by making use of the messaging function. Introducing a human element to the game tends to give it a completely new dimension, allowing you to experience the game of Baccarat wherever, whenever, without needing to travel to your brick and mortar casino, or planning your next gaming session in advance.
Baccarat live games are also known for their authentic gameplay and genuine casino experience, with players being completely aware of how many decks are left in the shoe, or when the dealer will choose to shuffle the cards for instance. If you’re a new player, you might also be interested in checking out our current Welcome Bonus that includes making a deposit of £20 and receiving an additional £50 bonus which may also be used on Live Casino online games amongst others.
The first thing you’re always going to make sure when playing at an online casino for real money, is that that particular casino is licensed and regulated by a competent authority. In the case of Platincasino UK for instance, this casino is managed by a licensed and regulated operator under the UK Gambling Commission, which means that both the casino, as well as the games it carries are subject to regular audits and check-ups, ensuring complete operator-player transparency at all times.
In the case of online table games, the game includes a virtual, computerised version of the real-life game, with a Random Number Generator (RNG) calling the shots, similar to the one found in slot games.
These games generally require smaller buy-ins than their live casino counterparts, and some newer players might find these players easier to start off with as games are always one on one (player vs computer). Live casino games on the other hand are streamed live from top notch casino studios in real time, with fully trained professional dealers running various tables.
These games are considered the closest version one can get to a real-life casino game, with the additional possibility of being able to interact with both the dealer as well as with other players at your table via the messaging function. Due to the fact that you’re essentially playing against other players just like you might in a brick and mortar casino, there’s a certain level of social pressure which might appeal to more advanced players rather than novices.
Absolutely. All live casino games including live dealer Baccarat are streamed live and in real time, meaning that no games are ever pre-recorded. This ensures further player-casino transparency throughout.
The classic game of Baccarat or Punto Banco first found its origins back in Europe decades ago. Today, live dealer Baccarat is one of the most popular forms of this game, with players always being able to bet on the Banker, Player, or Tie bet options, with the hand closest to nine in value winning the round.
It’s often disputed that betting on Banker is your safest bet when playing Baccarat live games, however nothing is ever set in stone. The most important part is enjoying yourself during the game session, and always being sure to never bet more than you can afford to lose.
