How to Play Baccarat at Online Casino

Interested in learning how to play baccarat online? Well, this beginner’s guide provides you with all you need to know to get started with baccarat at PlayAmo.

Baccarat is one of the oldest and simplest card games. From afar, you might consider this table game quite complicated; however, it isn’t until you know the basics. With the right guidance, you’ll no doubt find this classic casino game engaging to play.

Are you ready to get started? Read on as we guide you in kick-starting your PlayAmo baccarat gaming experience.

Understanding Online Baccarat Basics

Baccarat is a classic card game with straightforward gameplay. This fun casino game is based on chance and involves betting on hand values.

Game Overview

Baccarat involves staking on which hand between the “player” and “banker” has a card value closer to 9 without going over. Typically, baccarat consists of three bet options: the player, the banker, and a tie bet. However, with modern variants, you get other side bet options besides the three.

Card Values

In baccarat, numbered cards have their face value. That means a card with the number 5 is valued as 5. However, an ace is valued at 1, while face cards and 10 are valued at zero. Also, only the last digit of the total sum is considered when adding cards. For example, adding up cards with the values 6 and 7 is considered a 3 and not 13.

Hand Rankings

Based on the card value, if either hand (banker or player) totals an 8 or 9, that’s a natural win. With some variants, a third card is drawn if there’s no natural win, extending the session.

Basic Terminology

When playing baccarat games certain terms are often used in the game. Here’s a breakdown of common types and their meaning:

1. Natural: A total value of 8 or 9 following the first two drawn cards.
2. Commission: This is a small fee deducted from the banker winning the bet.
3. Player bet: Placing a wager, the player will win with a value closer to nine.
4. Banker bet: Predicting that the banker wins with a closer value to nine than the player.
5. Tie bet: Betting that both hands will have the same card values.
6. Shoe: The device holding the decks of cards.

Game Objectives

The objective of the baccarat game is simple: predict which hand between the player and banker has the closest value to 9. You can also bet on a tie instead of either of the two options.

Step-by-Step Guide to Playing Baccarat at PlayAmo

PlayAmo provides you with a comprehensive collection of baccarat games with over 100 titles to explore. To get started, you have to register an account as a new player. Here’s how to do it:

• Creating an account: Click on the Sign Up option on the homepage and provide your email address and password. Select your preferred currency as well as your country. Finally, tick the box agreeing to the casino’s terms and conditions. A confirmation link will be sent to your email address for verification.
• Claiming welcome bonus: Following account creation, you are eligible for the PlayAmo welcome bonus. The reward comes in two tiers, all depending on your initial deposit. You have the 100% match up to €100 + 100 Free Spins and 50% match up to €200 + 50 Free Spins.
• Finding baccarat games: PlayAmo’s friendly user interface makes it easy to find baccarat games. There is a search bar on the homepage where you can type in specific baccarat titles. There’s also the “All Providers” option, where you can select games based on the provider.
• Free demo mode options: As a beginner, you can play baccarat games for free at PlayAmo. The RNG-based baccarat games come in real money and a demo version for free play. With the free mode, you get to practice and get familiar with baccarat, which better prepares you for real money play.
• Making the first deposit: PlayAmo supports fiat and cryptocurrency transactions, so you get multiple deposit options. To get started gaming, you can fund your account using bank cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.
• Live dealer tables: There is an impressive collection of live dealer baccarat games. At PlayAmo, you can play the live game version at any time on any device. You can experience the live action by joining different real-time tables, such as Speed Baccarat and Japanese Squeeze Baccarat NC.

Types of Baccarat Bets and Odds

Once you understand baccarat, you’ll know that with this card game, you get straightforward bet options. Baccarat has one of the best odds in table and card games. Here’s a breakdown of the bet options you get and what they mean.

Player Bet

The player bet involves staking on the hand to have a card value closer to nine than the banker’s. This bet comes with a 44.63% chance of winning and a payout odds of 0.95:1. 

Banker Bet

With the banker bet, you wager on the hand being closer to nine than the player. The bet comes with 1:1 odds and a winning possibility of 45.86%.

Tie Bet

The tie bet is quite interesting, as here, you are betting on both player and banker having the same hand (a tie). While the payout odds for this bet are attractive at 8:1 and 9:1 at some tables, it comes with a higher house edge. Plus, the chances of winning the tie bet are 9.52%.

Side Bets

Some baccarat variants support side bets, which involve betting on other features of the game, such as pair cards and total points. While this bet option adds a fun twist to the game, it has a high house edge, exceeding 10%.

House Edge For Each Bet

Each baccarat bet features a different house edge, some better than others. Starting with the player bet, although you get a fair house edge, it is slightly less favorable than the banker bet.

The banker bet has the lowest house edge, making it an excellent choice for players. Tie bets, on the other hand, have a higher house edge, as do side bets.

Optimal Betting Strategy

The best betting strategy for baccarat, according to the available bet options and odds, is sticking to the banker bet. As we mentioned, this stake has the lowest house edge. However, to keep the game engaging, you can occasionally place the player bet to spice things up.

While at it, you should avoid ties and side bets when playing for real money as a beginner. However, you can try them out in our demo modes and also when you have the experience and have created a betting strategy.

Online Baccarat Variations

With time, baccarat has evolved from the traditional version to several modern variations. Today, there are baccarat games with unique rules and betting structures. Here’s a closer look at some popular variants.

Available Game Providers

Baccarat is undoubtedly a classic. As one of the main table games featured at PlayAmo, you’ll find that leading software providers design these games.

Each of these providers brings unique features and innovation to the table game, specializing in RNG and live baccarat games. While there are several game providers at PlayAmo, popular ones are:

• Playtech
• EvoPlay
• BGaming
• WinFinity
• Hacksaw Gaming
• NetGame
• Playson
• Felix Gaming
• Pragmatic Play
• NetEnt
• BetSoft

Punto Banco

The Punto Banco is the most popular and widely played version of baccarat. Punto Banco, which means “player” and “banker,” has the lowest house edge among other variants.

The online baccarat rules are quite simple: bet on the hand closest to nine between Punto (the player) and Banco (the banker). One unique feature of this game is that additional cards are drawn if the player cards total five or lower and the banker totals six or seven.

Speed Baccarat

From the title, you can tell that there’s an interesting feature with this variant. Speed Baccarat is a fast version of the traditional baccarat with gameplay that lasts 27 seconds per session.

The only notable difference between these two types is the playtime, which is cut in half.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Live dealer baccarat is a real-time version of the game streamed from land-based casino studios. It is highly interactive, as players communicate with the human dealers who place the bets.

The games are streamed in real-time as they unfold. One interesting feature of live dealer baccarat is that it comes in a wide range of variants and side bets, giving you that land-based casino experience. Popular options you’ll find at PlayAmo are the following:

1. Live Speed Baccarat
2. VIP Baccarat
3. No Commission Baccarat
4. Mega Baccarat
5. Dragon Tiger

Mini Baccarat

For beginners, Mini Baccarat is an excellent variant. The game features a smaller and simpler table and lower limits. Mini Baccarat gameplay is no different from the traditional version. However, this version seats a maximum of seven players and offers a faster game session.

Tips for Playing Baccarat Online

Now that we’ve gone through the basics of baccarat, you are pretty much set up for real money gaming. However, before you play baccarat casino games, you should know some expert tips. Here’s a breakdown.

Bankroll Management

As a new or experienced baccarat player, you can never go wrong with setting up your budget before each gaming session. Your budget should be an amount you can afford to lose. Also, start with small bet sizes to avoid overspending in a single session.

Best Betting Approaches

Sticking to the banker is the most favorable bet in baccarat. The banker has the lowest house edge, while the tie bet, despite its high payout, has a significant house edge. Also, get familiar with the online baccarat strategy, such as the Martingale and Fibonacci, among others.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Going beyond your budget for any reason when playing baccarat is one step you best avoid. It is also important you play casino games when completely sober and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Avoid letting emotions determine your bet.

Reading Game Statistics

Studying baccarat game statistics comes in handy as you get to learn from other players’ experiences. You can take advantage of these statistics to create a pattern.

When to Walk Away

Always practice responsible gaming, which involves knowing when to walk away. While it might be tempting to chase losses for a win, there’s no guarantee that you won’t end up with more losses.

So, avoid chasing losses when playing baccarat. Walk away instead of pushing your luck, especially when you’ve played through your budget. Play responsibly!

FAQ