Online Baccarat
Baccarat is not your traditional card game. Still it’s worth getting to know: as one of games with the smallest house edge, it’s as lucrative as blackjack, only with fewer strategies to learn.
At Golden Spins, we offer an industry-best baccarat gameplay experience that will baccarat beginners and pros alike will be excited to spend time with.
Read on for everything you need to know about how to play online baccarat.
Tips for Playing Online Baccarat
Where to Play
As with all online casino games, it’s very important to find a casino that is reliable, comes with secure payment options, and terrific support. Golden Slots provides all three, in addition to an outstanding gaming interface and the industry’s best graphics.
The Basics of Baccarat
Baccarat is played with two players, and six decks. There are only two hands in a given game: the player and the Banker. Whoever’s hand counts for more points, wins. The most a hand can score is nine, the fewest is zero.
In Baccarat, all face cards (jacks, queens, and kings) are worth zero, while aces count for one. All other cards count for the number they represent, 2-9. Suits do not factor into any part of Baccarat.
For example: if you are holding a jack and an 8, your hand’s score is 8.
If a Baccarat hand adds up to less than 10, the score is whatever that total is. If the total goes into double digits, only the second number in the total counts as the score.
For example: if you are holding a 3 and a 9, your hand’s score is 2 (3 + 9 = 12, second number is 2).
How to Bet
To begin, the player must decide whether to bet on the Player, the Banker, or the Tie. Select a denomination you’d like to bet along the bottom of the screen, then click the Player, Banker, or Tie to place a wager on that hand.
Unlike Blackjack, the Banker (or Dealer) doesn’t have an advantage over the Player in Baccarat, so the choice is yours. If the two hands draw, however, both lose. The only way to win in that circumstance is by betting on the Tie.
Once you’re set, click Deal.
How to Play
And just like that, it’s game on. The cards will be dealt and play out according to the system below, but once your bet is laid, you can sit back and relax: the hand literally plays itself out.
The Player and the Dealer are each dealt two cards. A system of rules guides how the cards are played, and this is where playing online can be a lot more enjoyable and less stressful.
If either the Player or the Banker has 8 or 9, the hand is over. If both have 8 or 9, it’s a Tie. Otherwise, the higher hand wins. The rule overrides all the rest and has no exceptions!
If neither hand is dealt 8 or 9, the Player’s hand is resolved first. The Player receives their two cards, and if their initial total is between 0 and 5, they automatically draw another.
If the initial total is between 6 and 9, they do not receive another card. In fact, if they are sitting with a strong 9 with just two cards, no further cards are played and the Player automatically wins. If the player has 8 with two cards they win unless the Banker has 8 or 9 with their first two cards.
Once the Player is finished, the Banker plays. The Banker’s hand has a few more elements to it. Initially, if the Banker hand adds up to 0-2, the Banker takes another card. If the Banker hand adds up to 7-9, the Banker stands.
If the Banker has 3, 4, 5, or 6, they draw a third card depending on if the Player drew a card, and if they did, what card they drew. That draw happens in the following circumstances:
- If the Banker has a total of 3, they draw a third card if the Player’s third card is anything other than an 8.
- If the Banker has a total of 4, they draw a third card if the Player’s third card is a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.
- If the Banker has a total of 5, they draw a third card if the Player’s third card is a 4, 5, 6 or 7.
- If the Banker has a total of 6, they draw a third card if the Player’s third card is a 6 or 7.
This might seem a little complex, but remember: you don’t need to remember any of these outcomes. With Baccarat, you simply pick a side (or a Tie), and hope you cash in.
Don’t forget: this game has great odds! And with Golden Spins’ beautiful graphics, easy-to-use software, and dynamic gameplay, there’s never been a better time to play Baccarat at Golden Spins!