Best online casinos for Baccarat

Like other classic table games such as roulette, baccarat has a long history. It first gained popularity among French nobility in the 19th century, where it was played in private gaming rooms rather than public venues. The original version, Baccarat Banque, was a three-player game.

Eventually, this evolved into Baccarat Punto Banco, which helped the game grow in popularity. In the 1940s, it became a house-banked game in Havana. Today, baccarat is a major revenue driver for casinos. For instance, in 2013, baccarat accounted for 45.2% of all table game revenue in Nevada.

At an online casino with baccarat, it’s hard to find a table game, which is easier to understand. The game’s concept is to determine a winning hand, either a player’s or a banker’s. Besides, players can bet on a tie. So these are the 3 betting variations:

• Player
• Banker
• Tie

Once bets are placed by Kiwi players, two cards are dealt — one to the player and one to the banker. Each hand is then valued, and the one closest to 9 wins. The total must not exceed 9.

Below are the key rules that apply to both the player and the banker hands.

Other cards are not used in the game. For example, Jokers are excluded unless there’s a rare variation, which would be more of a fun twist than a standard rule. When your total points go over 9, only the last digit counts. This means if you are dealt a six and a seven, the total becomes 13, and you end up with 3 points.

Since 9 is the highest possible total in baccarat, it’s the score Kiwi players aim for to win. A lower total can still win, as long as it beats the opponent’s hand.

New Zealand casinos usually offer their players a few different variants of online baccarat. They’re all very similar, but there are a few minor distinctions in the rules that make each one a unique and exciting challenge for players. 

Punto Banco is the most popular option among players. Generally, it is considered to be the ‘original’ and ‘classic’ version of baccarat and it’s the one you’ll almost always find offered by online casinos. In Puncto Banco, six standard decks of cards are used in the shoe with as many as 12 players taking part to beat the banker. 

Baccarat Banque is another popular variant. While Punto Banco is an Italian variant of the game, Baccarat Banque, as the name suggests, is the French version. The main distinction here is that the players take turns to be the dealer, while Punto Banco usually has just one. 

Another French variant, Chemin de Fer is a version of baccarat that is very similar to Punto Banco but it is played against other players instead of the house. 

In European Baccarat, players are allowed to make a choice about whether to stand or draw, though only if their hand has a value of 5 in the first round. 

By joining online baccarat casinos in New Zealand, you’ll find a wide variety of table games available. While the rules are generally similar across versions, there are a few key details worth noting. Here’s what you need to know to get started with the basics.

If we are talking about regular baccarat games based on RNG, your payouts will be connected with the game’s RTP. For example, Baccarat Pro from Platipus has an RTP of 98.96%, which means that the house edge is as low as 1.04%, and these results are awesome.

As for the general odds, they are as follows:

• The Banker and Player bets are paid as 1:1
• The Banker winning odds are 45.86% and the Player winning odds are 44.62%
• The odds of having a tie stand at 9.52%

Such numbers take place because of the basic rules. The chances of the bankers winning are slightly higher since players always act first, which makes them draw a low combination more often.

Unlike in other card games, in baccarat, you can bet on either side winning. This means that you can bet on the banker beating your hand and win if your combination of cards turns out to be inferior.  The thing to note here is that, unlike in blackjack, where you have control over whether you add more cards to your hand or not, in baccarat, this is outside of your power. Generally, bets on the banker are more popular because this has slightly better odds than the other options. 

Each round of baccarat begins with the player deciding which side they want to bet, with the options being the player, the banker, or a tie. You must place your bet before the cards are dealt. Once all bets are placed, the dealer will begin to deal cards. Both the player and the banker receive two in this first round with all cards placed face-up on the table. At this point, the hand totals of both will be announced. 

The aim is to get your hand to as close to 9 as possible. If either the banker or the player has 8 or 9 in this first round, they automatically win (or tie if both have the same number). If not, more cards may be dealt according to these rules:

• Player stands on 6 or 7 but draws on 5 or below (including 0)
• Banker draws on 0-5 and stands on 6-7 when the player does not draw any new cards
• Banker draws on 0-3 and stands on 4-7 when the players third card is 9, 10, face, or ace
• Banker draws on 0-2 and stands with 3-7 if the player’s third card is 8
• Banker draws on 0-6 and stands on 7 when the player’s third card is 6 or 7
• Banker draws on 0-5 and stands on 6-7 when the player’s third card is 4 or 5
• Banker draws on 0-4 and stands on 5-7 when the player’s third card is 2 or 3

Following this, the new totals will be calculated and announced and the winner determined. In this second round, the winner is simply the one that gets closest to 9 (keeping in mind that going over means you begin counting again at 0). 

The house edge is what a casino earns, so this amount, unlike RTP, isn’t paid back to players. Statistically, the online baccarat house edge is as follows:

• Banker – 1.06%
• Player – 1.24%
• Tie – 14.4%

As the house edge of betting on a banker is lower, the main strategy is to bet on a baker. It’s known as the optimal betting strategy, though it’s worth noting that any long gameplay makes players lose in the long run, so you still need to take care of your bankroll and responsible gaming terms. The same is with betting strategies like Martingale. They allow Aussies to plan the game, but it doesn’t guarantee that you win.

Live baccarat is a special type of online baccarat game that brings together elements of the land-based variants with the convenience of playing through your smartphone, tablet, or computer to bring you the best of both worlds.  It works by using a live video feed of a real human dealer and real playing cards instead of computer-generated graphics. When you load up the game, you’ll see this feed with some graphics overlaid that show you the different betting options and the buttons you need to make your selections. 

During a live online baccarat game in New Zealand, the dealer keeps the experience engaging by interacting with players through the camera. Players can respond and chat using the live message box, creating a social and immersive atmosphere. This interactive style has made live baccarat a favourite among Kiwi players, adding a lively touch to the classic game.

Both live and online baccarat are played via a computer, smartphone, or tablet but there are some key differences between them. Here’s a table that breaks down what sets them apart. 

In the same vein, there are many similarities and a few differences between live baccarat and the game when it’s played in land-based casinos. Here are the main points. 

Some Kiwi players feel that modern online baccarat lacks the atmosphere of traditional games, and that’s understandable. Today’s version is automated with fixed rules. In the past, players competed against each other, and decisions like drawing a third card were optional. Now, set rules decide that based on the cards dealt.

Modern online baccarat has its perks. It’s easy to play on the go using iOS, Android, or Windows devices. Many games support high bets, like up to NZ$12,500 on LuckyStreak’s baccarat. Payments are simple too, with options like Paysafecard, and there’s a wide range of games to choose from.

At many New Zealand online casinos, you can play baccarat either for free or with real money. Both options offer the excitement of this classic card game, but playing with real money gives you the chance to win actual cash. Some players prefer to start with free games to learn the rules, get a feel for the gameplay, and test a few strategies. Once confident, they move on to real money games.

In New Zealand, you can play free online baccarat by choosing the demo versions of the games. These demos work just like real money versions but use virtual credits, so there is no risk involved and no real winnings either.

Another way to enjoy free baccarat is by claiming casino bonuses. These can include no deposit offers, deposit match bonuses, or special promotions that provide bonus credits. If you win using these credits, you might be able to withdraw real money, but you will need to meet the wagering requirements first.

Though some providers like Evolution aren’t working in New Zealandfor now, there is a good range of analogs of regular and live online baccarat NZ games. The top providers working here are Pragmatic Play, Atmosfera, BGaming, Lucky Streak, and more. These are some of the games to try out:

• Baccarat from LuckyStreak
• Baccarat Pro from Platipus
• Others

Your experience with online baccarat in New Zealand is likely to be rewarding once you understand the rules and choose trusted casinos to begin with. This classic game has entertained players for generations, and its modern versions are now even more user-friendly and accessible.

There are many baccarat variations available for Kiwi players. Regular versions of the game can often be played for free as well. Given its popularity in New Zealand, it is easy to find baccarat at leading online casinos. Check out trusted reviews, learn the basics, and enjoy this iconic table game on any device you prefer.