Introduction

Baccarat is one of the oldest table casino games in the world and still remains highly popular today. The game is sometimes compared to Blackjack due to the nature of trying to have your hand closer to a particular number than the dealer. It’s a popular game thanks to the simple to follow rules and the potential for big wins. It’s also popular with high rollers, and many casinos offer big stakes Baccarat tables.

Today, you can also enjoy Baccarat online, where you’ll have the choice between lots of different tables, rule types and more. If you want to enjoy the best online Baccarat, MansionCasino is one of the top options, especially for Canadian players. There are lots of tables to choose from and you’ll receive first-class service.

Rules: How to Play Baccarat

If you’ve never played Baccarat before, it might be a bit confusing knowing the different rules, types of bet and so on. We’ve created this guide to give you more of an idea of the rules of Baccarat and how to play. A winning hand in Baccarat is the hand closest to nine with a nine or an eight giving what’s known as a natural win. Two cards are dealt to the player and then to the banker after the initial bets are made.

Table Layout

All types of Baccarat use an identical table layout, although there might be some minor differences in the size of the table. A Baccarat table has a semi-circle shape and typically has space for fourteen players. In front of each player will be the space for the three main bets; player, banker and tie (more on these next). Off to the side of the table is the area for side bets.

Player, Banker, Tie

When you play Baccarat, you’ll choose your bet from three main different options at the start of the hand. These are:

  • Player hand
  • Banker hand
  • Tie hand

Player or banker is the main bet, and you’ll have to pick one to play. The player pair and the banker pair are both side bets which aren’t available at all Baccarat tables. Some game variations of Baccarat will also allow you to bet on banker and player hand, banker and player pair, or tie at the same time.

In Baccarat, you are the player, and the dealer is known as the banker. Unlike most other casino games, you can still win at Baccarat if you happen to lose your hand. Provided you bet on the banker, you’ll still win your bet should the banker’s hand win. Before the round begins, you’ll choose whether you think your hand will win, the banker’s hand will win or if it will be a tie.

Side Bets

Some variations of Baccarat will also let you bet on side bets such as the player pair or the banker pair. This is where the first two cards dealt to either you or the banker are a pair. For example, a 10 and another 10. This side bet usually pays out at 12 to 1 but can vary depending on the site you’re playing at. Some casinos may offer other types of side bet too, make sure you check the in-game rules to see what’s available.

Card Values

In Baccarat, cards from 2-9 are all worth their face value, the number printed on each card. However, the 10, Jack, Queen and King are worth zero points. Aces are worth one point. A player’s hand will have a value of the two cards added together. So, a 3 and a 5 will be worth 8, a King and a 7 will be worth seven and two Aces will be worth two. If a hand reaches a double-digit value, only the second digit is used. For example, a hand with an 8 and a 9 would normally be worth 17, but in Baccarat, it’s worth 7.

Example:

8 + 6 = 14Hand counts as 4
6 + 6 + 6 = 15Hand counts as 8
10 + 9 = 19   Hand = “Natural” 9
King + Ace + 3 = 4Hand counts as 4

3rd Card Rule

Two cards are dealt to each of the players and the banker at the start of the round. However, a third card can also be dealt in special circumstances. If the player has a hand between 6 and 7, they stand. If their hand value is between 0 and 5, they’ll receive a 3rd card. If the player stands, the banker follows the same rule and either stand with a hand between 6 and 7 or draws another card with a hand between 0 and 5. If the player draws a third card, the banker’s action will depend on the player’s third card.

Odds and Payouts

In Baccarat, the approximate odds and the payouts for the three-betting option are:

Player Bet

Odds: 44.62% chance

Payout: 1/1

For example, if you bet $50 on the Player and you win your hand, you’d win back $100

Banker Bet

Odds: 45.85% chance

Payout: 1/1

If you bet $50 on abanker and the banker wins, you’d win back $100. However, most versions of Baccarat charge a 5% commission on banker bets, meaning you’d get $97.50

Tie Bet

Odds: 9.53% chance

Payout: 8/1 or 9/1

If you bet $50 on the tie and the game is a tie, you’d receive $500 or $400.

Pair Bet

Odds: 7.47% chance

Payout: 12/1

As an example, if you bet $50 and won, you’d get back $650.

Top 3 Strategies

If you want to win consistently in Baccarat, simply knowing the rules isn’t enough. You’ll also need to follow an effective strategy. Here are our top three tips on making the most out of your time at the Baccarat table:

Bet on the Banker - As you can see from the odds and payouts above, the banker has a slightly higher chance of occurring than the player bet. Although payouts are similar, some casinos do charge a 5% commission on banker bets. However, this doesn’t stop it from being the Baccarat bet with the lowest house edge. If you want to beat the casino, the banker bet is the way to go.

Avoid the Tie Bet – The tie bet looks tempting to a lot of players thanks to the high potential payout. It’s true that winning a tie bet will payout big. However, you’ll need to be incredibly lucky to achieve it. The tie happens very rarely, so much so that most Baccarat strategies ignore ties altogether.

Keep Control of Your Bankroll – This goes for any casino game you play, but you’ll need to watch your spending closely. Your bankroll is the amount of cash you have available to play, and it helps to have a betting strategy to manage it properly. You’ll want your bankroll to last you as long as possible while still giving you a chance of landing big wins. Make sure you set loss limits and know when to stop playing if the luck isn’t going your way.

Bonuses and Promotions

Before you start playing, make sure you check the available casino bonuses. There are lots of great welcome offers and regular promotions for you to claim. Make the most out of your time playing Baccarat by collecting a matched deposit bonus first.

MansionCasino offers regular live casino bonuses that can help you win big while playing Baccarat and other great table casino games. Take a look at our bonus table page for more information, including terms and promotion details.

Mobile Experience

Baccarat is now fully supported on mobile devices, including phones and tablets. If you fancy playing your favorite casino games on the go, you can, and the experience is just as good as on a desktop. Video streaming quality is great, provided you have a strong, stable internet connection. Graphics quality is high even when playing on mobiles, and the games run smoothly on Android and iOS devices.

Even on older devices, you shouldn’t have any issues running Baccarat on your mobile. The design interface is built with mobile users and touch screens in mind, so choosing your bet is simple and intuitive. Developer Playtech has done a great job of bringing this classic casino game to mobile users.

Help and Support

Playing Baccarat is a lot of fun, but if you’re still having trouble understanding the rules, there are more options available for you. Sometimes the game can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a complete beginner. You can get extra help and information while you play in the following ways:

  1. Our In-Game Help Menu – All of the casino games on our site come with rules, information and playing instructions. Once you’ve opened Baccarat, choose the “hamburger menu” on the top left of the game screen. Here you’ll find the “help” option. Click on this to learn more about the game, how to play and the rules involved. You can also read about payouts, return to player percentages and more.
  2. Customer Support – Our professional Customer Support team is available 24 hours a day. You can get in touch via email, Live Chat or telephone. The team will be happy to provide support and answer any questions you may have about the game.

FAQ

How do you win in Baccarat?

Before each game starts, you’ll have the choice of placing a bet on one of several different options. To win, your bet simply has to be successful. If you bet on the player, your hand will need to be nine or closer to nine than the banker.

What’s the best strategy in Baccarat?

The best strategy in Baccarat is to bet on the banker as this option has the highest chance of occurring. That doesn’t mean you have to bet on the banker every time, of course, but this will give you the best odds.

Has anyone won Baccarat?

Yes, lots of casino players win real money playing online Baccarat every day.

Is it safe to play Baccarat at MansionCasino?

Yes, MansionCasino has an excellent reputation among its players and the site is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and the Gibraltar Gambling Commission. The site also makes use of encryption to keep your payment details secure and safe.

Can I play on my mobile?

Yes, you can enjoy top casino games like Baccarat on your mobile at MansionCasino. All games are optimized for mobile play, meaning they run smoothly and without issues.

Play Baccarat for Real Money

If you want to have the chance to win real money while playing online Baccarat, you’ll need to sign up first. MansionCasino CA has one of the best selections of online Baccarat in Canada, including Live Baccarat games. Now you know how to play, what are you waiting for? Sign up and play today for your chance to win big at the Baccarat tables.