Best Online Baccarat Casinos in December 2024

What is Baccarat?

One of the most popular card games played around the world, baccarat is simple yet elegant and engaging. The goal of the game is to predict whether the Player or the Banker gets a hand total that is closest to 9, but the game can result in a Tie too.

What makes baccarat unique is that it is very straightforward to play. The low house edge of 1.06% when betting on the Banker and 1.24% when backing the Player is also attractive. It allows both players on a budget and high-rollers to gamble without having to make any compromises.

At land-based casinos, baccarat has always been a player favourite, particularly in Asia and Europe, with resorts in Macau and Monte Carlo offering round-the-clock baccarat action and special incentives to baccarat VIP gamblers. However, as popular as baccarat is at brick-and-mortar casinos, online casino baccarat gets much more traffic, as it is convenient and accessible with no need for players to leave their home to play their favourite baccarat games.

Another reason why baccarat is one of the most popular online casino games is the number of online baccarat versions which far outnumbers the selection of baccarat games at land-based baccarat venues. So, UK gamblers looking for more baccarat gaming options will be able to play baccarat versions such as Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, Baccarat Banque, and Mini Baccarat and enjoy both their Random Number Generator (RNG) and live casino game variants.

How To Play Baccarat

Baccarat is arguably the easiest of all casino table games to understand and play. As we already mentioned, the objective of the game is to bet on which hand will be closest to a total of 9, that of the Banker or Player. Gamblers can also bet on a Tie. Keep reading to learn how a game of baccarat will normally play out when you join an online casino.

1. Place your bet on the Player, Banker or Tie outcome.
2. Wait for the two face-up cards to be dealt to the Player and Banker.
3. Check the total value of each hand. Remember tens and face cards are worth 0.
4. A third card may be drawn under specific conditions (read below).
5. The hand closest to a total of 9 wins.
6. If both hands have the same total, the outcome is a Tie.
7. Winning bets will be paid out.

Baccarat Rules

To understand baccarat, you must understand how the cards are dealt, the way the total is calculated and which bets are considered winning ones. The most important thing to know is that the hand that wins is the hand with a total of 9 or closest to 9.

Having that in mind, let’s see how the scoring in baccarat works. Aces are worth 1 point, while cards 2 to 9 are worth their face value. So, if you get an Ace and a 5, your total will be six. It is important to know that 10s and face cards are worth zero. Therefore, if you get a King and a 7, the total is seven (0+7).

How We Rate Baccarat Casinos in the UK

The quality of your online baccarat casino experience will largely be determined by the quality of the baccarat sites you join. It is paramount that you choose the best online casinos, such as the ones we feature at Fruity Slots. The top-rated baccarat sites listed on our website have been put through a battery of tests and approved by our online casino community. These are the factors we consider when evaluating online baccarat casinos in the UK.

A Closer Look At Best Online Baccarat Sites

The vibrant UK baccarat gambling scene wouldn’t be as lively if top-quality casinos weren’t operating in it. At Fruity Slots, we rate and review the best baccarat online casino sites in the UK and here we list the ones that impressed us the most.

Best Strategies You Can Use at UK Baccarat Casinos

Various online baccarat strategies can improve your chances of winning. However, to win baccarat games, you first need to get lucky. That said, utilising a tried-and-tested baccarat gambling approach may boost your prospects of winning more often. These are the best strategies you can use at UK baccarat casinos.

Best Live Baccarat Casinos in 2024

At most live casinos, baccarat is one of the most popular games. So, if you are searching for live baccarat sites, there will be no shortage of options. However, not all live baccarat casinos are worth your time and money. Check out expert-vetted live baccarat casinos and start betting live on Player/Banker rather than searching for a live baccarat casino for hours or, worse, days.

Most Popular Variants of Online Baccarat

The best online casinos for baccarat in the UK have unrivalled game collections. Much like the best slots sites, top baccarat casinos offer a fantastic selection of baccarat versions and variants. Let’s look at the most popular ones.

• Punto Banco: The most common variant at online casinos, in Punto Banco, the roles of Player and Banker are fixed and the hand closest to 9 wins.
• Chemin de Fer: Players take turns as the Banker, but the goal is the same, the card total closest to 9 wins.
• Baccarat Banque: Popular among French players, in Baccarat Banque, the Banker role is auctioned off to the highest bidder, with players trying to achieve a total closest to 9.
• Mini Baccarat: A more straightforward variant of Punto Banco, in Mini Baccarat, games are faster and betting limits are lower. The tables with fewer players make this version the first choice for many gamblers too.

Our Top 5 Quick Tips To Use at Baccarat Casino Sites

Online baccarat gambling involves a lot of luck and some planning. While you cannot influence the former, you can very much work on the latter. Try these quick tips to make the most of any baccarat game online:

• Place educated bets – know your odds of winning at each stage of the game and only bet when you think you have a good chance of making a profit.
• Avoid the Tie bet – those Tie odds may seem enticing, but they are that high for a reason. Tie bets occur rarely. Moreover, they have a very high house edge that strongly favours the casino.
• Claim baccarat bonuses – the best online baccarat casino sites offer a lot of bonuses and promos that can be used on baccarat tables, helping you play longer sessions and potentially increasing your chances of winning.
• Play games from reputable providers – software providers like Evolution and Pragmatic Play produce some of the best online casino baccarat games, allowing you to thoroughly enjoy betting on the game you love.
• Play demo versions to hone your skills – nothing beats the thrill of real money baccarat casino games. However, playing free baccarat games before transitioning to the real deal might be a good idea, particularly if you are new to the game.