Card games are one of the oldest forms of entertainment, used for hundreds of years by players to compete against one another. Baccarat is a card game that gained extreme popularity in China and has since been adopted by casinos the world over. Like blackjack, it’s a relatively simple game of chance that can be played between two people or more.
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With advances in modern technology, the exciting game of baccarat is now available to play live online in the same way you would in a brick-and-mortar casino. Playing live dealer baccarat online is a great way to pass the time, enjoy socializing with other players, and maybe even make a quick buck. Lots of online casinos already offer realistic baccarat games with virtual dealers and an entertaining environment but it’s not the same as a real casino.
Now you can take that experience to the next level with a live baccarat online casino. Just like in real casino baccarat, you can play against a human croupier via a high-quality video stream. You can converse with the dealer and chat with other players via the chat window.
Why play live dealer baccarat online?
Live dealer baccarat provides you with a casino-like experience from the comfort of your own home. Unlike normal online baccarat, you know the dealer is present and dealing in real-time. If you are skeptical about the honesty of online gambling platforms, live dealer baccarat removes any concerns. You can always see exactly what is going on via the HD-video stream.
Live baccarat is also more fun as you can interact with the dealer and receive genuine responses that aren’t just preprogrammed. It’s a fully immersive casino experience placed directly into your living room! Since you can play online, live dealer baccarat is available 24/7 and saves time as you don’t need to travel to a casino.
Some people find casinos intimidating, especially if you are new to gambling. Often, the noisy casino environment can feel overwhelming, making it hard to concentrate. Playing baccarat live online is a much calmer experience during which you can take your time to learn the game.
How can I play live dealer baccarat online?
There are hundreds of online casinos that offer live baccarat to players from all over the world. All you need to do is find a live dealer casino that serves your country and you can sign up and start playing. Most casino websites will let you know when you visit them if they are available in your country. In addition to baccarat, an online casino will usually host several other games like poker, blackjack, and slots.
To find a live online baccarat casino online that suits your needs, check out our list below. All online casinos have different licenses for various regions, so you’ll need to check which is available in your country. They also offer a diverse range of live baccarat games for different tastes, budgets, and skill levels. Have a look through and you’ll no doubt find one that perfectly suits your needs.
Betting in live dealer baccarat is controlled by a timer which blocks further betting once expired. This ensures that the games move along efficiently. You can set your chip size once entering the virtual room and then easily bet this same amount each round with once click. After each round, all bets are automatically settled and paid out.
1. Sign up to an online casino
Once you’ve chosen an online casino, sign up by entering some basic details. Once registered you may need to verify your account via email or provide proof of address and ID. This is usually a quick process that can be completed online. Before signing up, take a minute to read the terms and conditions and check if there are any withdrawal limitations. In the event that you win, you want to be sure the online casino you choose offers an adequate way for you to withdraw your money.
2. Deposit some playing money
Once registered, you can log in and select a deposit method. All online casinos have different methods but most support credit cards, bank transfers, and certain online methods like Paypal, Skrill, or Neteller. Take note that at some online casinos you may not be able to withdraw your money in the same way that you deposited it.
During the deposit process, you can also activate any welcome bonus that is included for first-time players. Sometimes this requires you to enter a promotional code. You can often find these codes on independent websites that offer live dealer casino reviews.
3. Choose your live baccarat game
Once topped up you can head over to the live dealer casino section and browse the games on offer. Make sure you choose a game that fits your wagering requirements and has rules that you are familiar with. Once decided, simply select the live dealer baccarat game of your choice and start playing!
Will my device support playing live dealer baccarat online?
You can play live baccarat games on almost any device no matter what you are using, be it a laptop, tablet, or phone. Many live baccarat games run directly in the browser with no need to download any additional online casino software, so they work equally well on Windows, Mac, or Chrome computers.
Many online casinos also offer live baccarat games for mobile phones with apps for Android, iOS, or Windows Mobile. The mobile-optimized apps are specially designed to provide the best live experience, with crisp real-time video streaming smoothly to your phone. Just make sure that you have a decent internet connection to get the best quality!
Baccarat rules
Baccarat is an ancient French card game dating back to the 15th century. Like blackjack, it involves the player and the dealer attempting to win based on card value. There are different versions of the game but the most common is ‘punto banco’, or player banker. This version is played in most casinos and involves just the player and the dealer.
However, in baccarat, the face cards (K, Q, J) have no value and the Ace is always worth 1. If the sum of two cards is higher than ten, the decimal is removed, ie: 6 plus 7 (13) is worth only 3. This would then be of equivalent value to an Ace and 2. The longer you play, the easier it gets to quickly calculate the card values in your head.
Dealing is done from a shoe of 6 to 8 decks shuffled together. Two cards a dealt face up to each player, with the aim to get an 8 or 9 score to win. If neither player nor banker achieves this, a third card is drawn if the player has less than 5. Following this, the banker will determine whether they draw a third card based on a complex set of rules.
Rules Summary
- If either the player or dealer gets two cards that add up to 8 or 9, the round ends and the highest score wins.
- If neither player or dealer gets 8 or 9 and the player gets a hand below 5, another card is dealt. The dealer either draws or stands based on their hand.
- If neither player nor dealer gets 8 or 9 and the player gets a hand above 5, the player stands. The dealer hits if on less than 5 or otherwise stands and the higher score wins.
- If neither the player or dealer wins, then it is a tie that pays out 8:1.
Strategy
Strategy in baccarat relies on guessing the outcome of the cards and betting accordingly. A game can only have three outcomes – the player wins, the dealer wins, or there’s a tie. Players have a slightly higher winning chance so the payout is 0.95:1 whereas the banker payout is 1:1 but the tie payout is 8:1. Most people who play live baccarat bet on the dealer winning most often.
For this reason, betting on a tie outcome is very risky but could also but very lucrative. However, baccarat players tend to avoid betting on a tie because statistically, the house gets a much higher edge. Overall, the chances of winning at baccarat are comparable to blackjack and slightly higher than roulette. Some live baccarat casinos offer side bets but these too give the house a higher edge and should be avoided.
What’s the attraction of live dealer baccarat online?
Does it really make a difference having a live dealer over just an automated computer dealer when playing baccarat online? What are the advantages of live dealer baccarat over normal baccarat online? Well on a technical level the cards may still be dealt in the same way but there are actually many benefits to having a live dealer.
Most importantly, a live dealer is more reliable than a computer because the shuffling is truly fair and random. Online casinos use good algorithms that provide randomized responses but people find them less trustworthy than a human. With a live dealer, you know that you’re getting a fair hand.
A computerized system also resets after each hand so shuffling of the cards is not the same as in a real casino. Technically, this shouldn’t make a difference but many players believe they can pick up on patterns with a live dealer. In real casinos, some players may even watch a dealer for a while before taking a seat at the table.
Betting systems like the Martingale also work better with a live dealer, so if you’re an experienced baccarat player with a specific system, live dealer baccarat will work better for you. Many online baccarat games are too fast and automated, making it difficult to manage a system.
Live dealer baccarat FAQ
📌Is live dealer baccarat legal?
Yes, it is perfectly legal to play live dealer baccarat online for real money so long as the country you are in doesn’t have any specific laws against it. While most states in the U.S. ban the operating of online casinos there is no federal law against gambling online in live dealer casinos.
📌Is it safe to deposit money to a live dealer casino?
The vast majority of online casinos are licensed in countries with strict gambling regulations, making them safe to deposit and withdraw money from. However, it is always good practice to read several independent online reviews to ensure your casino of choice is legitimate.
📌Does card counting work in live dealer baccarat?
Yes, with live dealer baccarat you can keep an eye on the cards just like you would in a normal casino. It’s not easy but with a good enough memory, you could use it to your advantage.
📌What are the edges in live baccarat?
An edge is a percentage used in gambling to indicate your chances of winning. In baccarat, betting on the banker gives you the best edge of 1.06%. The edge on player bets is 1.24% and on tie bets 14.36%. However, most live baccarat casinos charge a 5% commission on banker bets to balance out the odds. Even with this commission, the banker bet is still your best chance of winning.
📌Is live dealer baccarat addictive?
As with any gambling, some people may find certain activities more addictive than others. The golden rule is that you should never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose. If you feel that your gambling is problematic, you should contact the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Laura has been writing for online casino publications for the last 2 years, focusing mainly on industry news but also with an eye on the latest casino sites and bonuses coming on the market. She has an eye for finding the best no deposit bonuses and seeking out offers with low wagering requirements!
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