Online Baccarat Casino Games in South Africa 2023
If you’re feeling lucky, then why not play a game of online baccarat? South Africans can play this popular card game at many online gambling sites without stepping out of their front door.
In baccarat, the aim is to bet on a hand of 9, or the one closest to 9. The rules of the game are relatively simple, and almost anyone can pick them up. However, if you’ve never played baccarat online, don’t worry! This guide will cover everything you need to know, as well as recommend some of the top South African online casinos to play at.
List of Baccarat Online Casino Sites
How to Play Baccarat Online
Baccarat doesn’t have particularly hard rules to learn, which is one of the reasons it is so popular. We recommend brushing up on the rules before you embark on a game of online baccarat.
The dealer will first deal two hands, each consisting of two cards. One of the hands is called the ‘Bankers’ hand, and the other is called the ‘Players’ hand. The aim is to bet on which hand you think will be closest to or reach 9.
Cards have different values in baccarat: Ace is 1, while Jacks, Queens, and Kings are 0. All other cards take their face value.
You might wonder, what if the two cards dealt are a 9 and an 8? Well, you have to add the value of the cards and then take the last digit as the card’s value. So, in this case, 9 + 8 = 17, so the hand’s value is 7.
History of Baccarat
The game of Baccarat is so old that its origin remains unclear. However, the game can be traced back to 800BC in Tuscany, which makes it one of the oldest card games in history.
Another theory suggests that Baccarat was invented by an Italian croupier, Felix Falguierein, in the 15th century. Interestingly, he is believed to have created the game with a deck of his tarot cards.
‘Baccarat’ got its name from Italian and French terms. The name is fitting, considering that the value of all Jacks, Queens, and Kings is zero in this game.
While baccarat laid its roots in Europe, you can find it at casinos worldwide today. You can play the original or mini version of this card game online.
Nowadays, baccarat is often referred to as ‘Bond’s Game,’ thanks to British Spy 007 playing it in several of his thrilling adventures.
Types of Online Baccarat
There are several different versions of baccarat that you can play online. The game’s general rules and aim remain the same across all variations. What differs is the interactions between the players and the drawing rules.
Punto Banco, also known as American Baccarat, is the most popular and well-known baccarat variant. It’s the version that you will come across the most in online casinos.
Let’s have a look at the different versions of baccarat that you can play online!
Punto Banco
Punto Banco is the most common version of Baccarat and it originated in Argentinian casinos. Much like blackjack, Punto Banco pits you against the dealer.
The game is pretty simple. All you have to do is place your bet on the winning outcome. Will the player (punto) win? Or, will the dealer (banco) get the winning hand? The third possible outcome is a tie.
Baccarat Chemin de Fer
Baccarat Chemin de Fer is a French variation of the game. Six decks of cards are dealt, and the players actively place bets against each other.
The banker, who is dealing the cards, will place a wager bet. It's the maximum amount of money they are willing to put against every bet. The rest of the players or punters have to place a bet against the banker without surpassing the banker's bet amount. The one with the highest bet becomes the player's representative.
Then, the banker deals out two hands, one for themself and another for the player. If an 8 or 9 is dealt, the hands are compared to announce the winner. If that doesn't happen, the banker and the player have an option to draw the third card to determine the winning hand. This is the only variation where you can draw an additional card.
Baccarat Banque
Baccarat Banque is similar to the Baccarat Chemin de Fer regarding card rules. However, it's played with 3 decks of cards instead of 6 decks in Baccarat Chemin de Fer.
In this variation, a player can challenge the banker for one whole round. The player has to make a bet that matches the banker's bet. They can use 'go bank' three times across the game. If they win, they can take up the role of the banker. If not, they lose their right to 'go bank.'
Three Card Baccarat
The Three Card Baccarat is the perfect variation for players who don't want to sit at the high-stakes Baccarat table.
Three Card Baccarat game employs the standard 52-card deck. The suit does not impact the winning hand in this game.
In the beginning, the dealer will give three cards to every player and themself. The players can make any bet. The players then have an option to either bet on the player's cards or the dealer's cards. The three face cards make for the highest hand in this game.
In case the outcome is a draw, no chips will be exchanged, and that hand is considered a push. Winning players automatically pay up 5% commission, in general.
EZ Baccarat
EZ Baccarat is the same as the regular, old baccarat. It's easy to play, and the round goes by quickly.
There is a dealer/banker and a player, and you can put their bet on either. In this variation, there is no commission! The dealer deals two cards to every player to get the total sum value close to 9.
This game has two other options - dragon 7 and panda 8. In dragon 7, if the dealer has a total of 7 in his three cards, and the player has a total of 6 or less, then the Dragon 7 bet wins. In Panda 8, a bet of three cards with a point total of 8 wins, which pays 25:1.
Online Baccarat Terms
Since Baccarat is rumoured to have originated in Italy and France, the game has terms in many different languages.
Learning the game’s terms will serve you well if you want to master online baccarat games and communicate well with the dealer and fellow players. Some words have several meanings, which can be confusing but don’t worry. We have a list of common phrases that will help you when you play baccarat online.
Mini Baccarat
As the name suggests, mini-baccarat is the mini version of the original game, allowing up to 7 players at once. The game is accelerated in nature, making it loved among gamblers.
In the online version, the cards are usually dealt face-up. But, in land-based casinos, they are dealt face-down.
Dealer
Anyone responsible for drawing cards is called a dealer. In a casino, a staff member is usually at the dealer seat. But in many other baccarat variations, the players can choose the dealer amongst themselves. The dealer announces winners and collects losing bets.
Banker
The dealer is sometimes referred to as a banker. In the game of Punto Banco, the banker is called a 'banco'. The banker ensures that the game runs without a hitch.
Additionally, there is a banker bet (besides the player's bet and tie bet) in baccarat.
Player
The term player can be confusing because the game's participants are called players. However, the term can also refer to a bet.
Dealing Shoe
Depending on the baccarat variation, you can use any number of card decks in the game. It uses a standard 52-card deck and generally employs six or eight decks of cards per game. These cards are then shuffled together and dealt from a box called a dealing shoe.
In an online baccarat game, the shoe is kept on the table, and the cards are dealt out of the same.
Natural
In a baccarat game, it's called a 'natural' when your cards total up to 8 or 9. This is the best hand in the entire game.
Tie
A tie is one out of the three outcomes in the baccarat game. If there is a tie, both the player and the dealer receive their bet back. If you put a bet on the tie, you will likely be paid 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the baccarat variation you are playing.
Commission
Similar to roulette, a commission is the amount the house will receive on winning bets. Although the house edge is really low in baccarat, the player bet and winning bank are usually subject to a 5% commission.
Stand-Off
A stand-off happens when both the punter and the dealer have the same value of cards.
How to Play Online Baccarat in SA
Tips and Tricks to Win Online Baccarat Games
Like all card games, there are small strategies you can employ to try and win big at baccarat. Below are our top 9 tips for winning.
Tip 1: Do not make a tie bet!
In baccarat, the house edge is really low. Banker bets have a house edge of 1.06%, while player bets have an advantage of 1.24%. However, a tie bet has a whopping 14.4% house edge since it is less likely to occur. So if you wagered R100, you would expect to lose R14.4 on a tie bet.
Tip 2: Don’t count the tie bets
This is a follow-up to tip number one. If you notice a series of player, player, and a tie bet – forget about the tie bet. It’s a casual pause in the game. Treat it as invisible and continue betting on the player or banker.
Tip 3: Bet on the banker
A banker bet can come through at a little over 50%. So, when you are starting in the game of Baccarat, bet on the banker since it is most likely to win. For the very same reason, to prevent a winning edge, the house takes a commission of 5% on every win.
Tip 4: Jump the switch when the player loses
When your player bet causes you a loss, it’s best to bet on the banker in the next game. The rule of thumb is that whenever a banker wins, you should immediately make a bet on it since banker streaks are incredibly common.
Tip 5: Ride with the banker until the end
Betting on the banker from start to finish is the best way to guarantee a win. So, if your banker bets are winning, ride the wave till the end of the streak. However, a streak doesn’t guarantee that the banker will continue to win. Therefore, be mindful of the size of your bets!
Tip 6: Mini Baccarat is exciting but dangerous
Mini Baccarat is like a traditional baccarat game on steroids. Mini-baccarat is fast-paced; you may make about 200 decisions in an hour.
The strategy here is to pick the banker from round one and continue to bet on the banker until he loses. When he does, bet on the player until he loses and switch back to the banker. You will cut the chance of losing in half.
Tip 7: Be responsible with your money
Winning a game or multiple games in a row will put you on a high. But, it is essential not to get wrapped up in the thrilling nature of this game.
If you lose, divide your winning money in half and continue playing with only that amount. Or, you can take a break! Give yourself a substantial amount of time before heading back to the table.
Tip 8: Stick to the free baccarat games
That is probably the most important tip to remember. Before you participate in a real money baccarat game, play some free games online. Doing so will allow you to practice and improve your confidence.
Tip 9: Keep an eye on the terms and conditions
It’s wise to check the terms and conditions of the online casino before you place your bets. Every casino has a different set of wagering requirements. Additionally, many casinos offer a variety of bonuses, so keep an eye out for those as they may help you more than you’ll realise!
FAQs: Online Baccarat
What is online baccarat?
Online baccarat is the version of a baccarat game you'd play at a casino. The rules don't vary much. For example, you get one move per hand, and the game starts with the dealer dealing two cards per player. The aim is to reach a value close to 9.
How many cards are there in baccarat?
Baccarat uses more than one deck of cards. The exact number of card decks may differ depending on the variation. Usually, eight decks are in use, but some casinos also use six decks of cards. The number of cards and decks impact the odds, much like any other card game.
Can I play baccarat for free?
Yes, you can play baccarat for free online. Many casinos offer the chance to play free versions before you sign up for the real deal. There are also different variations of baccarat that you can choose from. Playing a free version is an excellent idea if you are new to the game.
What are the percentage rate odds in online baccarat?
In online baccarat, the banker bet will win 45.8% of the total time. On the other hand, the player bet may win about 44.6% of the time. Tie bets have the lowest odds of winning, resting at a measly 9.6%.
Is there a way to win at online baccarat?
In general, there is a higher chance of winning an online baccarat game than in a land-based casino. While the game is based on guesswork, an online baccarat strategy can help you succeed. For starters, always bet on the banker until he losses. Moreover, try to stick to your plan and don't frequently change bets. If you are losing, quit.