Newcomers Guide to Real Money Baccarat Online

So you want to play baccarat online for money – Read this first!

Baccarat is one of those casino games that you either love or hate. Some love it because it’s fast paced and supremely simple, has a relatively low house edge, and comes with the easiest strategy in the history of pro gambling. Others are turned off by its simplicity and monotony. You don’t really play it, you just bet on the results, and being so fast, there’s not a lot of entertainment between hands.

If you’re among the game’s fans, and you’ve landed on this page, I have to assume you’re considering playing real money baccarat online. If that’s the case, there are a few things you need to know before you get started. So without further ado…

Play Online Baccarat for Money – Introduction

Compared to land-based casinos, playing online changes several elements of the experience. Trust is perhaps the biggest issue to overcome, and you can do that by finding a reputable online casino and utilizing a secure payment option. High-rollers tend to play this game on land, but online, there’s no red carpet. You can play for $1 – sometimes less – or bet into the thousands.

Most interesting of all, in my opinion, are the multitude of ways to play baccarat online. There are multiple RNG-based games, where a random number generator decides all, and there live dealer casino games, where a live-feed video stream connects you to a real dealer, at a real table, dealing real cards, to a throng of other real online players.

Playing Baccarat at a Safe Online Casino

This step must come first. If you aren’t already a member of a trusted online casino, take the time to join a good one that suits your needs. Make sure it’s licensed and regulated in a responsible jurisdiction; that being a) the jurisdiction you live in, or b) any jurisdiction in Europe. Obviously, players from your country must be accepted, and the casino should support your preferred banking method (credit card, debit card, eCheck, web wallet, etc.)

Types of Online Baccarat Games

There are far more ways to play baccarat online than you’ll find in any single land-based casino. You have your standard North American baccarat games, known formally as Punto Banco. There’s Mini-Baccarat, which is really the same thing, since you’re playing it online. There are also a variety of “no commission baccarat” games, going by the common titles Punto 2000, Super 6 Baccarat, or EZ Baccarat.

As far as RNG baccarat games go, EZ Baccarat is the only no-commission game worth playing. To take away the commission means other rules must be altered to swing the edge back into the casino’s favor. EZ Baccarat is the only one that presents a lower house edge than the standard rules; 1.01% compared to 1.06%.

If you prefer a more realistic casino experience, there are just as many ways to play baccarat with a live dealer. They even have versions with a ‘Controlled Squeeze‘ by the highest bettor, taken from a common practice in Asia. Don’t be fooled by it, though. Squeezing a card to see its edges and learn what it might be has no bearing on the game, or the outcome. You’ve already placed a bet. The cards are not changing order. You’ve already won or lost. The squeeze element only alters the entertainment value, if you enjoy the extra suspense.

Conclusion

Comparatively speaking, it’s much easier to play baccarat online for money. There’s no travel involved, and no dealer tipping required. But you do need to take precautions in choosing where to play.

If you’re not sure which game you’ll enjoy most, start with the RNG versions (as opposed to live dealer baccarat) and play in practice mode first. Some live casinos will let you play for free, too, at least for a limited amount of time. Take advantage of that when you can. While you’re at it, check out this easy guide to baccarat strategy. Your bankroll will thank you for it.