21+ Responsible Gambling 21+ Responsible Gambling

Online Baccarat Guide 

Baccarat is known for being a casino card game that only those with big bucks used to play, but as it grows in popularity, players will now be able to enjoy the casino game online through a mobile or desktop platform, throughout the state of Pennsylvania. While gamblers in the past have shied away from baccarat, we are here to explain that it really isn't as complicated or scary as people seem to think!   Playing baccarat online has a lot more pros than cons; for starters, players can claim bonuses from the PA online casinos to use towards playing table games such as baccarat and then take advantage of being able to play at your own pace. From mini-baccarat or EZ baccarat, players will find all kinds of options available online in the state, including demo versions and real money. Some casinos in PA have even gone a step further and offer Live Dealer versions, which is just as thrilling as being at the real venue.  

How to Play Baccarat 

Basically, there are three main bets you can place in a game of baccarat online; the Player, the Banker, and the Tie. Each card has a numeric value and the goal is to get as close as you can to 9 points. 

• Ace is equal to 1 point. 
• 2 - 9 are equal to its face value. 
• Jacks, Queens, and Kings are equal to 0. 

Only the second digit of any card is counted. If your hand is dealt a 3 and a 7, you have 0 which is baccarat.  The Banker and the Player are dealt with two face-up cards. If the sum of the two cards dealt to the Player is less than 5, a third card is automatically dealt. In online baccarat, the Player and Banker can only hit once to take another card and will automatically be dealt out to the Banker according to whatever cards the Player is holding and vice versa. After the hand is completed, whoever is holding the higher hand between the Player and Banker, wins.     If you bet on the Player it pays 1-1, whereas bets placed on the Banker pay the same at 1-1 but have a 5% commission fee attached.  So the rules are actually quite simple, and practice makes perfect which is why we recommend trying some demo version games of baccarat first or using a casino online bonus to your advantage.  The outcomes of each bet are broken down as follows: 

• If you bet on the Banker and that hand wins, you will be rewarded an even payout on your bet minus 5% that goes as commission to the house.   
• If you bet on the Player and that hand wins, you will be rewarded an even payout on your bet. (No commission lost!) 
• If you decided the game would end in a Tie and you are correct, the payout is 8-to-1 on your bet. 

In the case that the game ends in a Tie but you bet something different, you will have your bet returned without losing or winning any money. 

Online Baccarat Variations

Baccarat has different variations including EZ Baccarat and Mini Baccarat and while not every online casino in PA may offer more than one game yet, we recommend finding a casino that has a bit of variety. Here are the most common versions of baccarat you can expect to see at PA online casinos now, and in the future. 

Baccarat Online Live Dealer 

Live Dealer is a must at any good online casino as it provides players with a real casino environment, without the player having the get off their couch. There is a live dealer who is usually an employee of the casino that does most of the work and even chats and engages with you. Usually, Live Dealer baccarat either offers a traditional version or one with no commission to the Banker and since it's a game that requires little decision making from the player, all you have to do is place your bets and watch the dealer do the rest. 

EZ Baccarat Online 

EZ Baccarat is very popular and is just like the traditional baccarat except for the 5% commission paid to the Banker. Players have the option to make side bets and Player and Banker bets are paid out the same at 1-1. 

Mini Baccarat Online 

Mini baccarat is played the same as standard baccarat with faster gameplay due to the small number of players able to join a table (maximum of 7 people). Minimum bets to play live usually start at $25 or lower, but this amount can change depending on the online casino you have chosen to play with.  

Tips for Online Baccarat 

Yes, online baccarat is a game of chance and there is no way of knowing what card will be drawn next, but there are still a few tips we can give to ensure the best online gaming experience is had by players.  For starters, bet on the Player hand as much as you can seeing as you have no commission attached, and the Banker does. We recommend players should try and manage their money, which can be done by deciding how much you're prepared to lose. Once you have hit that number, stop, and walk away from the game.  It's a good idea to check the terms and conditions of a game from the PA online casino as sometimes baccarat does not count for trying to clear the wagering requirement attached to your welcome bonus.

Finding the Best Online Baccarat PA Site 

So far four casinos in Pennsylvania have an online platform and all, except for newbie PokerStars, offer at least one game of baccarat. As more casinos continue to launch and more games go live, there are a few things players can keep an eye out for when selecting their online casino.  The best PA casino site should include the following: 

• Security: The PGCB monitors all online casinos in the state to ensure fair games. Each game is tested before it goes live and players want to look for a PA site that holds a good reputation and has a detailed sign up process. In terms of baccarat online, look for settings that include random shuffling and number generators, and high-quality graphics.  
• Bonuses: Parx, SugarHouse PA, and Hollywood all offer welcome bonuses and deposit bonuses with different wagering requirements. Does baccarat count for clearing the wagering requirement? All games eligible for the bonus are listed on the site, and it is worth checking if you're claiming a bonus with a 40x wagering requirement versus one with a 1x. 
• Customer Support: This one may not sound like something very important to look for but all online casinos will experience glitches and problems with the games at some point. If you see your baccarat winnings aren't going into your account right away, you will want trusted support you can reach out to quickly to solve your problems.