Online Baccarat: Rules, Bets and House Edge

How a round is played

Two hands, called Player and Banker, are dealt from a shoe of several decks. These are labels, not people: a bettor may back either hand. Cards two to nine count at face value, tens and face cards count zero, and an ace counts one. The total of a hand is the last digit of the sum, so seven plus eight is 15 and scores five. A hand scores at most nine, and the closer to nine wins.

A fixed table decides whether either side draws a third card, and no one chooses. That is why online baccarat is quick to learn but gives a player very little control. Each round takes under a minute in most lobbies, and live versions deal at a similar pace.

The three bets and their edges

In online baccarat a bet on Banker wins slightly more often than a bet on Player, so casinos take a commission of five percent on winning Banker bets. After that commission the house edge is about 1.06 percent for Banker and 1.24 percent for Player. A Tie bet usually pays 8 to 1 and carries an edge of about 14.4 percent, much more than the other two. Side bets such as pair bets carry edges that are also higher.

Pattern boards, which record previous results as grids and streaks, are common at baccarat tables. They are a record of history. Each round is independent, and a streak does not change the odds on the next hand.

Variants

• Punto banco is the standard casino version described above.
• Mini baccarat is played on a smaller table with the dealer handling all cards.
• Speed and no-commission versions shorten rounds or change how the Banker bet pays, often with a special rule on a Banker win of six.
• Squeeze baccarat in live studios turns over cards slowly, which is a presentation feature and does not change the odds.

Live shoes, high stakes and the law

Live versions of online baccarat stream a real dealer and shoe from a studio, as the live casino guide explains. High-limit tables are common, so losses can pile up fast. Under the law of most Arab states, residents may not bet money on any game, baccarat included; the regional overview covers the position. Baccarat is an adult game, and the limits guide shows how to set time and loss limits. Below, in A to Z order, are the reviewed casinos that list baccarat in their September 2026 record.