Live baccarat guide
Baccarat is an ancient game where cards are compared between two hands, namely the Banker and the Player. The objective of the game is to predict which of the hands will have the highest value that will be close to or equal to 9. There are 3 possible outcomes in the game which are "Player", "Banker" or "Tie".
If you're a lover of Live Casino games, you would know Live Baccarat. Or maybe you are a newbie and have never played the game before because you don't know how to get started. After reading this piece, you'll be ready to become a pro at playing live casino baccarat at South African casinos. Let's get straight to the point!
By Adiela de Bruyn - Last modified 2024/02/08 - Estimated reading time: 11 minutes.
Table of contents
- » Live Baccarat: Basic Terminologies
- » How Live Baccarat Games Run in an Online Casino
- » Live Baccarat Variants
- » LIVE Baccarat: Mobile Version
- » Tips That Can Improve Your Chances in Live Baccarat
- » Differences Between Live Baccarat and Electronic Baccarat
- » How to Start Playing Live Baccarat in South Africa
- » Conclusion
- » Frequently Asked Questions about Live Baccarat
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Live Baccarat: Basic Terminologies
Term | Meaning |
---|---|
Baccarat | Baccarat is the name of the game and it is derived from the Italian word "Baccara" which means zero. |
Baccarat Table | The baccarat table refers is just a term referring to the table where bets are placed. In some types of live baccarat online, a virtual table is used to speed up the process. |
Dealer | The person who coordinates a baccarat game is called the dealer. In live casino baccarat, the bet is against the house and not other players. |
Banker | The banker bet is a bet placed on one of the possible outcomes of a baccarat game which predicts the banker to win the round. The word banker is also used to refer to the banker's hand. |
Player | Player bet is another possible outcome in a baccarat game and it predicts that the player will win that round. It also refers to the player's hand. |
Tie | When the player's hand and the banker's hand have the same card values, it is called a tie. A tie bet is a bet that is placed on the player and banker's hands being equal. |
Natural | A natural refers to a hand that has a total value of 8 or 9. A natural never loses the round as it is a perfect pair. |
Cut | This refers to the act of dividing the deck of cards after they have been shuffled. |
Burn | This is the discarding of the first card and it is done by the real dealer to discourage cheating. |
Shoe | This refers to the container where the cards are kept. |
Face Cards | Face cards are all cards that have a value of zero or are excluded from the game. They are Jacks, Kings, Queens, and 10s. |
Down Card | The down card in this simple game is a card that is dealt facing down. |
Up Card | The up card in baccarat is a card that is dealt facing up. |
Third Card Rule | The third card rule is a rule in baccarat where either a card is added to the player's hand or the banker's hand. |
How Live Baccarat Games Run in an Online Casino
There are two types of Baccarat at online gambling sites. There's the Electronic Baccarat and the Live Baccarat. Even though they are essentially the same game, they don't run the same way. You'll find Electronic Baccarat in the "Table Games" section while Live Baccarat is in the "Live Casino or Live Dealer" section. Here's a step-by-step guide on how live baccarat games run:
- Launch the Game: To play live baccarat online, go to the Live Casino or Live Dealer section and choose the Live Baccarat variant of your choice. You will see a lot of titles, any baccarat game that you choose to play will have its unique features.
- Video Streaming: After launching the game, you are immediately welcome to the live stream. Like other live dealer games, baccarat is streamed from a land-based casino or a studio. You'll be able to see the dealer, other players, and the surroundings.
- Placing Bets: At the start of each round, you will be allowed to place bets on "player", "banker", or "tie" for that round. The dealer ensures that all bets are placed before dealing the cards. You also have to make a decision on the amount to bet before you go ahead.
- Card Dealing: The dealer shuffles the deck of cards and then shares two face-up cards each to the player's and banker's hands. The sharing starts from the player's hands before the banker pair.
- Hand Evaluation: Each hand is evaluated by calculating the value of the card in the hand. Remember that the face cards (Jack, King, Queen) and 10s all have a value of 0. Other numbered cards retain their values and Aces are worth 1 point. When the two cards are added and the total is more than 9, there will be a deduction of 10. That is, a hand with 8 and 7 will have a value of 5 instead of 15.
- Drawing Additional Cards: Depending on the variant that's being played, additional cards can be drawn if the outcome is a tie.
- Determining the Winning Hand: When hands have been evaluated, the winning hand is determined. Players who have placed a bet on this hand are paid the equivalent return on the outcome they bet on.
- Play Another Round or End Game: After the winnings have been paid, the round ends. You can now decide to play another round or end the game.
Screenshot of a Live Baccarat game from Evolution
Live Baccarat Variants
Now that you know the basic rules and how live baccarat games run, how do you know the variant to choose? Most Live Baccarat variants are designed by Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play. These are just some of the many software providers which make live dealer baccarat games available in South African casinos. The variants are designed to suit players’ preferences. The factors that determine players' choices could be budget, expert level, speed and desired level of engagement. There are many variants of this online casino game but the ones that we shall look at include Standard Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze, and Speed Baccarat game.
Standard Live Baccarat
This is the most straightforward and popular variant of Live Baccarat. It follows the basic rules of the game and doesn't tweak anything. The outcomes are Player, Hand and Tie. It is sometimes called "Punto Banco" meaning Player Banker. It is the best for beginners.
Mini Baccarat
Mini Baccarat follows the rules of standard baccarat but it is played on a smaller table. This makes the game faster as there are limited players on the table. Mini baccarat also uses fewer decks of cards when compared to other versions. It also has a lower minimum bet than other variants. This makes it a choice for players who are on a budget.
Baccarat Squeeze
If you're a player who wants a great level of engagement while playing Baccarat, then, Baccarat Squeeze was designed just for you. When the cards are drawn, they aren't turned facing up immediately, rather the dealer draws the card facing down slowly and before turning it. This increases the suspense of the game. However, it is slower than other Baccarat variants.
Speed Baccarat
Speed Baccarat is designed for players seeking a fast-paced online baccarat casino experience with a live dealer. The variant accelerates both the betting and card dealing processes. Speed Baccarat significantly reduces unnecessary waiting time between rounds by implementing a timer, prompting players to place their bets before time runs out.
Progressive Baccarat
Progressive baccarat is a type of baccarat game where a percentage is taken from each bet that is wagered and used to grow a progressive jackpot. The house edge in this version of baccarat is higher because of this jackpot. However, one big advantage of this baccarat version is that anytime the jackpot is won, the winner will take home a lot of money.
No Commission Baccarat
In most baccarat versions, there is a 5% commission when the banker wins. However, no-commission baccarat has the lowest house edge as there is no 5% commission to pay on banker wins. However, there is an exception when the banker scores 6. In this case, you will receive only half your total bet.
LIVE Baccarat: Mobile Version
Wondering if you can play Live Baccarat on your mobile devices and still enjoy it? Well, the answer is Yes! You can play live dealer baccarat on your mobile devices because most online casinos use HTML5 technology. This allows games to run on any device including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. However, when playing live dealer baccarat online, you will need to stream the game. This makes it necessary to have a good internet connection and a device with good processors. If you're using your mobile phone, we advise that you put your phone in landscape mode to get a wider view.
Tips That Can Improve Your Chances in Live Baccarat
Live dealer Baccarat is a game of chance, so there are no guaranteed tips that will ensure that you win every time you play. That said, we can give you some tips that can improve your chances. These tips are based on our expert experience.
- Be Careful of Side Bets: You can place side live baccarat bets in some versions of the game. However, you should try to understand the bet you place.
- Place More Banker Bets: A bet on the banker's hand has a slightly better chance of winning than the player's hand. Don't let the house edge discourage you.
- Play at Tables with Fewer Decks: Tables with fewer decks of cards have a better chance of paying you than those with more decks.
- Take Advantage of Bonuses: Anytime there is a bonus, always use it. Bonuses are basically free money.
Differences Between Live Baccarat and Electronic Baccarat
Live Baccarat | Electronic Baccarat |
---|---|
In Live dealer baccarat, you have to play alongside the live dealer | There is no live dealer when playing electronic baccarat |
In live dealer baccarat, there is the need to stream the game from a studio or a live baccarat casino | There's no need to stream as electronic baccarat online is determined by random number generators |
Live baccarat casino games run slower than electronic baccarat because of the human factor | This type of baccarat game runs faster than live dealer baccarat |
There is the possibility of interacting with other players and dealers at live baccarat casinos | There's no social interaction when you play electronic baccarat |
Not all variants of online live baccarat are available 24/7 | All variants of electronic baccarat are available 24/7 |
How to Start Playing Live Baccarat in South Africa
The baccarat casinos on this page will allow you to have a Vegas-like gaming experience when you play baccarat at any of them. To start enjoying what the game offers, you will need to open an account with a reliable casino. This can be done in a few minutes. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started with playing live baccarat casinos in South Africa:
- Register an account with a reliable casino that has Live dealer games available. All the South African casinos that you find on this page will offer you the best odds.
- Verify your account and make a deposit. Ensure that the deposit is up to the minimum to receive the welcome bonus. Some casinos allow you to use the welcome bonus to play baccarat with a live dealer.
- Go to the Live Casino section and choose the variant of Live Baccarat that you want. You can play the standard game first in free electronic mode to prepare you for the live game.
- Start playing and remember to gamble responsibly.
Conclusion
Baccarat is a casino classic any day, any time as it is very popular and promises players a lot of fun and excitement. Live dealer baccarat adds some extra fun to the game as it brings a playing experience that is similar to what you get when you play regular baccarat at land-based casinos. It follows the same standard baccarat rules as the electronic version. It is different from any other online casino game because there are many versions that can be played. Each version tweaks some aspects of the game to suit the preferences of baccarat players. Remember that like all real money live games, live dealer baccarat is a game of chance so try to manage your expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Live Baccarat
What is the aim of Live Baccarat?
The aim of a live online baccarat game is to correctly predict the outcome of the game, which is to choose which hand will have a closer value to 9 or if the game will end in a tie.
Can I play a live baccarat game for free?
No, you cannot play live dealer baccarat for free. However, some casinos or software providers will allow you to play Electronic Baccarat for free.
Do South African casinos have Live Baccarat available?
Yes, South African casinos have Live Baccarat available in the Live Casino section.
Will the dealers cheat me?
No, the dealers are professional and will not cheat you.
Can I play Live Baccarat on my mobile device?
Yes, you can play Baccarat with a live dealer on any smart mobile device. Just ensure that it has a good processor and a good internet connection.
Where can I find the best live baccarat casino?
We have provided you with the best real-money casinos to play live dealer baccarat. Open an account with them and get ready to win some real money.