Baccarat is one of my favourite casino games. I mastered the gameplay a long time ago. Still, with more and more versions of baccarat becoming available online, I was challenged to explore all of them to see how they differ from the classic game I love.
G’day, blokes and sheilas. I‘ve recently heard a joke that baccarat is a game rich people play to stay rich, and poor people play to get rich. An interesting observation, indeed, and not so far from the truth, to be honest. Baccarat is one of my favourite casino games. I mastered the gameplay a long time ago. Still, with more and more versions of baccarat becoming available online, I was challenged to explore all of them to see how they differ from the classic game I love.
Being an iGaming expert, I combine industry knowledge with my passion for playing games. So, in this article, I explain the baccarat rules, including the famous third card rule, and introduce you to the most engaging baccarat versions at the best baccarat online casinos in Australia. Let’s start.
Dear Aussies, if you’re looking for the best baccarat online casinos Australia, you’re in the right place. I hand-picked the most reputable brands, so you can choose any of these platforms and enjoy playing various baccarat games online.
Baccarat is one of the most beloved casino games. One of the reasons why players like baccarat so much lies in the fact that it’s actually a pretty simple card game. Some resources say baccarat was invented in the 15th century in Italy, while others report it originates from 19th-century France. Regardless of where it came from and who invented it, baccarat has “conquered” the world and is now one of the casino staples globally.
Today, all the best game providers offer various online baccarat games. The selection ranges from 3-card baccarat and Punto Banco to unique live dealer variations with multipliers and original side bets. Although you’ll find multiple versions of this card game at AU online casinos, they still share similar rules. I’ll explain to you all things baccarat in my detailed guide below.
Baccarat is a game of chance, usually played with multiple 52-card decks. The cards are shuffled together and dealt from a dealing box, also known as a “shoe”. In this game, you must predict which of the two hands, the Banker and the Player, will have the value closest to 9. Still, there is a third betting option, a Tie.
As you can see, baccarat is a straightforward card game with three bets: the Player, the Banker, and a Tie. However, no matter how simple baccarat seems, you should learn the rules and understand the card values. I’ll help you with this.
The cards have specific values in baccarat compared to other card games. Here’s how to calculate the results:
Cards 2-9 are worth the same face value (2 to 9)
Face cards (K, Q, J) and 10s are equal to 0
The Aces have a value of 1
You calculate the total of each hand by adding the values of both cards. For example, 2+0 = 2.
But here’s a catch. If the total value is 9+, the first number is removed. So, if your hand has a value of 10, it will be worth 0. Here are more examples: 9+9 = 18; when the first digit is removed, the score is 8.
The best thing in baccarat is a “natural” 8 or 9. If the cards you received from the deck total 8 or 9, you win. Unless the Banker has the same value, which is a Tie. If there are no natural wins, and the hands have specific values, the Player gets another card first. This is a third card rule I’ll explain later.
Now that you’ve learned the rules, it’s time to zero in on the flow of the game. Follow my step-by-step guide to quickly learn how to play online baccarat for real money.
You must place a bet before a dealer hands out the cards. Choose one of three betting options: Banker, Player, or Tie.
When you select one of the outcomes, the croupier will deal two cards, two for the Player and two for the Banker.
The cards are presented face up so you can see their values.
The dealer calculates the scores and, if necessary, draws a third card.
The hand whose score is closest to 9, or equals 9, wins. If both hands have the same total value, this is a tie.
You keep your chips if there’s a tie, and you didn’t wager on this outcome.
Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games because of its player-friendly house edge. Actually, the baccarat house edge is one of the lowest, which makes this game very appealing. Here’s a list with payouts and house edge percentages to help you decide where to place your chips.
Banker: The house edge for this bet type is 1,06%. This hand pays 95% or 0.95:1 since the casino takes a 5% commission.
Player: The Player hand has a 1.24% house edge and pays even money, or 1:1.
Tie: Finally, a tie is the best betting option in terms of payouts, but it has a high house edge - 14.36%. This is due to how rare this result occurs in the game. Still, if it happens and you put your stakes on it, the win pays 8:1.
Baccarat is one of the simplest card games. Still, it has one minor “complication” – a third card rule. Although this is the most complex part of the game, it’s nothing you can’t master, especially after reading my short guide.
As the name implies, the third card rule determines when to draw the card and when not. I’ll simplify this as much as possible.
Rule 1: If the Player’s hand is worth 0-5, it gets a third card to close the round.
Rule 2: If the Player’s hand is worth 6 or 7, it doesn’t receive an additional card.
Rule 3: When the Player’s cards have a total of 6 or 7, the Banker draws the third card if its card total is 0-5.
Rule 4: If the Player gets a third card, the Banker will either stand or draw depending on the Player’s hand result.
Rule 5: If the Player’s first two cards total is 8 or 9, this is called a natural win. But, if the Banker also gets a natural, this is a tie. The only exception is if one hand has natural 8 and the other natural 9. In this case, natural 9 beats natural 8.
Now, let me explain the Banker’s third card rule to clarify this even more.
Banker hand total value | Rule |
0-2 | Banker gets a third card. |
3 | Banker draws an additional card unless the Player’s third card is 8. |
4 | Banker draws unless the Player’s third card is 2-7. |
5 | Banker draws unless the Player’s third card is 4-7. |
6 | Banker gets a card unless the Player has received 6 or 7. |
7 | Banker stands. |
When baccarat became one of the online casino games, content developers did their best to make it even more engaging. So, they introduced several side bets. Although side bets give you more choices and potentially increase your chances of winning, they are also more risky.
Here are the most common side bets at the best online baccarat games.
Dragon Bonus: You’re betting on the natural win (8 or 9) by the Banker or Player.
Pairs Side Bet: You bet on an outcome where either the Banker’s or Player’s opening hand makes a pair: the same numbers or the same numbers and the same suite.
Perfect Pair: If both hands make a pair (same numbers and same suite), this is a Perfect Pair side bet.
AU online casinos offer two types of baccarat: RNG baccarat and live dealer baccarat. Some players choose RNG-powered baccarat, a single-player virtual game where you play alone against the computer.
However, many Aussies prefer real-life casino action, meaning they more often go for live baccarat versions from A-list software providers. I present you the most engaging baccarat games with all their strengths.
Baccarat Pro is a standard RNG baccarat with no side bets. Still, Baccarat Pro has three versions: Standard, Low Limit, and High Limit Baccarat Pro. Baccarat beginners should pick the Low Limit game as it offers low bet amounts, which is ideal for learning the game without losing too much money.
Seasoned gamers can choose either Standard or High Limit Baccarat Pro. The latter allows higher wagers, so it’s also suitable for high-rollers. Finally, if you like tie bets, you’ll be happy to learn NetEnt’s baccarat Tie bet pays 9:1 instead of standard 8:1.
Many Evolution casinos in Australia offer Peek Baccarat. You can infer from the name you can “peek” and see the cards before they are revealed. This unique feature lets you change your decision after betting time is over.
Although Peek Baccarat has the same rules as regular baccarat games, the unique “peek” option allows you to increase your bets. Still, if you want to benefit from peeking, you’ll have to pay a 20% fee. You can see 1-3 cards before the final decision.
This is another addition to Evolution’s world-famous lightning series and an updated version of Lightning Baccarat. The game includes more Lightning Cards and bigger multipliers, with the highest possible multiplier of 2,850,000x for a Tie bet with 6 Lightning Cards.
In the Lightning Round, 4-8 cards are picked randomly as Lightning Cards, with multipliers ranging from 2x-10x. If your hand includes one Lightning Card, your winnings will be multiplied. Or, if your winning hand has more than one special card, the winnings are multiplied again. The maximum multiplier for regular bets is 1,000x. XXXtreme Lightning Baccarat has two side bets: Player and Banker Pair.
This game features Golden Cards with potential multipliers of 2x, 3x, 5x or 8x. Before each round, 5 Golden Cards are selected and placed in a glowing pot. The magic cards are highlighted in the interface, and if your winning hand has one of them, your winnings are multiplied accordingly.
To get your Golden Card, you must pay a 20% Golden Fee. The maximum possible multiplier in this version is 262,144x.
This Evolution live baccarat introduces Prosperity Cards. Each round features 8 special cards with 2x and 3x multipliers falling from the tree during the Prosperity Round. The maximum possible multiplier in Prosperity Tree Baccarat is 27x for standard betting options and 3,645x for a Tie bet.
The game has 2 side bets, Player Pair and Banker Pair, which pay 10-90:1.
A great thing about baccarat is that it’s a game of luck. In other words, you don’t need a strategy. Still, I want to share a few tips with you. Hopefully, they’ll help you optimise the gameplay for better chances to win.
Bet on the Banker since this hand wins more often.
Skip Tie bets. This outcome is rare and has a high house edge.
Always keep an eye on your bankroll. Set the budget and stick to it.
If the casino has an attractive bonus with fair wagering, use it.
Always check the side bets and their payouts and house edge.
So, I’ll answer one final question: “Is baccarat worth playing?”
My answer is simple, yes, it is. There aren’t that many card games that are as simple as baccarat. Even the third card rule is not as complex as it initially seems. You’ll learn it after a few rounds.
The game caters to casual players and high-rollers, offering exciting variants with side bets.
Every Aussie online casino has at least a few baccarat games in the lobby. Moreover, you’ll also find bonuses you can use to play baccarat. Online baccarat is popular in Australia since it’s a fun and easy game you can learn quickly. Play responsibly. Good luck, mates!
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No. Baccarat is based on luck, so there’s no real strategy you can use to improve the odds.
Stick with the Banker bet. It pays slightly less, but it wins more often.
Sure. The best casino platforms provide both RNG and live dealer baccarat games.
This rule defines when the Player and the Banker need to draw a third card to finish the round.
Some do. Still, even if there’s no baccarat-specific promo, you can claim other casino bonuses.