Live Baccarat
Baccarat has a reputation for being a VIP casino game; after all, James Bond himself likes to play a round or two. However, while it has this reputation, there are budget options out there and it’s surprisingly easy to pick up. In fact, it’s arguably the simplest table game of them all.
These days, you can find dozens of live baccarat games at Australian online casinos, giving players easy access to this popular game. However, you need to consider the game choice, the live dealer quality and whether there are bonuses available before you settle in to play. And this is exactly what we’re covering here.
Top Live Baccarat Games at Australian Casinos
- VIP No Commission Baccarat – ICONIC21
- Speed Baccarat – ImagineLive
- Super 6 Baccarat – Playtech
How to Play Live Baccarat at an Aussie Casino
Before diving into playing live baccarat, you need to know how to play. The rules are simple, but we’re going to run through them here.
The goal in live baccarat is not to win on your hand, but to make an accurate prediction on whether your hand (the Player) or the dealer’s hand (the Banker) will end the game with a total closer to 9. Standard games allow three bets: Player, Banker or Tie.
Once the bets are placed, the cards are dealt, and the winning side is determined. Cards 2 to 9 are face value, while 10s and picture cards are zero. Aces are 1. If a hand has a value greater than 9, then only the last digit is counted. For example, a hand with 7 and 8 equals 15, but will count as 5.
Finding the Best Baccarat Game for You
Even though most live baccarat games have a similar RTP, you shouldn’t just stick with one. After all, there are so many variants to choose from that it’s a lot of fun to branch out.
- Live versus RNG: while this is all about live baccarat, there are RNG versions too. These can be taken at a slightly slower pace, which is good for those new to the game and starting out. Live games tend to be high-tempo, which is great for experienced players, but can be overwhelming if you’re a beginner.
- Bonus contribution: if you’re looking to make the most of bonuses, it’s worth pointing out that most baccarat games only contribute around 10% of the wagering requirements. This is because they have a high RTP, so don’t rely on them to make up your bonus requirements.
- Check the provider: as with other live games, not all game providers are equal. Make sure you take a look at the providers, the studio design and setup and the quality of the live stream before you start to play. It’s easy to switch between tables, so once you start playing, you’re not restricted in any way.
Types of Live Baccarat
As mentioned, not all live baccarat games are the same. There are an increasing number of variants available that add to the standard base game, giving some very entertaining options. Let’s take a look at some of them here:
Speed
This is for players looking for as much baccarat as possible within a short session. Deals and settling of bets take place in seconds. The bet windows are shorter, and there’s not so much chat or interaction between players and the dealer. With more rounds per hour, the win potential increases, but so does the chance of a losing streak, making this a volatile option good for more experienced players. Many side bets feature in this game too, often paying out higher.
Mini
This game is the same as standard baccarat or punto banco. The only difference is that it is on a smaller, more streamlined table. This is good for beginners or casual players. You’ll also get more hands per hour than on the larger tables, as there are fewer players. Minimum bets are lower on mini baccarat, too, so it’s good if you’ve got a smaller bankroll in play.
Squeeze
This version adds a little drama as the cards are slowly revealed on the camera. The dealer squeezes the corners of each card toward the camera so that players only see the card revealed gradually. The rules and odds don’t change, but there’s more tension.
Tips for Playing Australian Live Baccarat
While there’s no way to guarantee a win, there are some steps you can take to boost your chances. A lot of this hinges on the type of games you choose to play as well as how you manage your bankroll. So, consider some of these top tips when you begin to play:
- No Commission games: sometimes you will see No Commission games listed. Typically, baccarat games have a 5% commission on winning Banker bets, as this side wins more often. However, No Commission games remove that fee, which means that you get a slightly better payout. However, sometimes they change the payout rules so that the RTP remains similar.
- Bankroll management: most baccarat strategies are all about the bankroll rather than in-game decisions. This means that you need to consider whether to use a strategy like Martingale, Fibonacci or D’Alembert to manage your bets and try to recoup losses over time.
- Bet on the Banker: a common misconception for new players is that you can only bet on the player’s hand. This is not correct, as in fact, betting Banker elicits the best RTP, which sits around 98.94%. In fact, sticking to Banker is usually the best option. Player bets have a slightly lower RTP.
- Never bet Tie: this is the worst bet and has a house edge of 14%.
Playing Live Baccarat in Australia
Live baccarat is a lot of fun to play and is an appealing game for any player. Casual players can enjoy playing low-stakes live games with a minimal learning curve, while more experienced players can enjoy increasing the risk with the increasing number of baccarat variants that are on offer. Make sure you choose a game that suits your playing style and bankroll, though, otherwise things can go sideways pretty quickly.
