Baccarat began in 15th-century Italy and later gained favour among French nobility. It has since become one of the most-played casino games worldwide, with a particularly strong following in Asia.

The premise is simple: place a bet on whether the Player or Banker hand will win, or if the round will end in a Tie.

Online platforms have made baccarat faster, more accessible, easier to pick up, and available in a wider range of formats. Traditional casinos, by contrast, maintain a relatively slower pace and ceremonial tone.

Getting into a baccarat game online is quick. Here's how it works:

1. Create an account: Sign up at LeoVegas, verify your account, set deposit limits, and opt in to the welcome offer

2. Make a deposit: Go to the cashier to fund your account. NZD is usually accepted, with minimums starting around $10. Check if the bonus requires a certain amount or code

3. Pick a game type: Look for baccarat under “Table Games” or “Live Casino.” Common options include RNG, Live, Speed, and variants like Squeeze or No Commission

4. Understand the layout: The table has three main bets: Player, Banker, and Tie. Tap your chip value, then your chosen area. Live games include a countdown; RNG games let you deal when ready

5. Play & view results: After bets are placed, cards are dealt and outcomes follow standard baccarat rules: Player (1:1), Banker (0.95:1), and Tie (8:1)

6. Adjust stakes & speed: Online tables often start at $1. Live games run 45-50 seconds per round; Speed versions are quicker. RNG games let you control the pace

LeoVegas offers a live casino welcome package for new players in New Zealand. The bonus is split across your first three deposits, with matched funds and Golden Chips available at each stage.

• First Deposit: 100% match up to $500

• Second Deposit: 100% match up to $500

• Third Deposit: 100% match up to $1,000

Players who deposit $50 or more at any stage will also receive $10 in Golden Chips, for a total of up to $30.

Golden Chips can be used on eligible Playtech live games. Winnings from these chips are paid as cash, although the chip value itself is not returned.

Each deposit must be wagered 40x on live casino games. Baccarat contributes 30% (excluding Live Baccarat Macao by Live G24). For example, a $100 deposit means roughly $13,334 in baccarat bets. You have seven days per deposit. The bonus is released once your deposit is fully wagered. Avoid betting on both Player and Banker, as it may void progress.

Baccarat uses six to eight decks. Suits are irrelevant because only the card values matter:

• 2 to 9: Face value

• 10s and face cards: 0

• Aces: 1

As established, the objective is to correctly bet on the hand that finishes closest to 9, either Player or Banker. You can also bet on a Tie if both hands end with the same total.

Each hand begins with two cards. Totals are calculated by summing the values and keeping only the final digit. For example, 7 and 8 equals 15, which counts as 5. Scores always fall between 0 and 9.

If either hand totals 8 or 9 from the initial deal, it is a natural and the round ends unless both hands have naturals. The hand with the higher total wins, and bets on that outcome are paid accordingly. If both totals match, bets on Tie win.

If there is no natural, a third card may be drawn.

Player draws include:

• 0 to 5: Draw

• 6 or 7: Stand

Banker draws (depending on Banker total and Player’s third card) include:

• 0 to 2: Always draws

• 3: Draws unless Player’s card is 8

• 4: Draws if Player’s card is 2 to 7

• 5: Draws if Player’s card is 4 to 7

• 6: Draws only if Player’s card is 6 or 7

• 7: Stands

After placing your bet, the game runs on its own. There are no decisions to make once cards are dealt.

Online casinos offer several baccarat variants. While the core bets remain the same (Player, Banker, or Tie), the differences come down to gameplay speed and game mechanics.

• Punto Banco: The default version at most online casinos. All actions follow fixed rules with no player decisions beyond betting. Commonly labeled as simply "Baccarat"

• Live Baccarat: Streamed in real time with a human dealer and physical cards. Includes variations like speed and squeeze formats. Interaction and visual history tools are usually available

• Speed Baccarat: Same rules as Punto Banco, but rounds are shorter, typically around 27 seconds. Cards are dealt face-up immediately with limited betting time

• Squeeze Baccarat: Cards are revealed slowly to build suspense. The squeeze is purely for presentation, as the outcome is already set. Available in dealer and player-controlled formats

• No Commission Baccarat: No Commission Baccarat: Banker wins return 1:1 instead of 0.95:1, but a win with a total of 6 pays only 0.5:1. Designed to simplify outcomes while keeping house edge balanced

• Mini Baccarat: Lower stakes and simplified layout. Cards are dealt face-up with no squeeze. Follows the same rules as standard Punto Banco but in a faster, more streamlined format

• Chemin de Fer: A player-versus-player version where participants take turns as the banker and can choose to draw or stand. Rarely offered online.

Baccarat offers some of the best odds in the casino, though each bet comes with different returns and house edges.

• Banker wins about 45.86% of rounds and pays 0.95:1 due to a 5% commission. It carries a house edge of roughly 1.06%, making it the most efficient bet

• Player wins about 44.62% and pays 1:1, with a slightly higher house edge of 1.24%

• Tie hits around 9.52% of the time and usually pays 8:1, but comes with a steep 14.4% house edge. Some games offer 9:1, but returns often include the stake, so the odds are similar

If you bet on Player or Banker and the result is a tie, the bet is returned.

These remove the 5% fee on Banker wins but, as mentioned, return only 0.5:1 if the winning total is 6. This adjustment raises the Banker house edge to around 1.46%. The Player bet remains unchanged.

Side bets in online baccarat cover specific outcomes and offer larger potential returns, though the odds are less favourable. Availability depends on the provider and game version.

• Player Pair/Banker Pair: Pays 11:1 if the first two cards form a pair. Occurs around 7.5% of the time. House edge ~10%

• Perfect Pair: Both cards must match in rank and suit. Pays 25:1. House edge exceeds 13%

• Either Pair: Wins if either hand has a pair. Pays 5:1. House edge ~14%

• Big/Small: Based on total cards dealt. Small (4 cards) pays 1.5:1; Big (5 or 6 cards) pays 0.54:1. House edge ranges from 4.4% to 5.3%

• All Red/All Black: Pays 22:1 or 24:1 if Player’s first two cards are the same color. House edge ~13-14%

• Dragon 7/Panda 8: Found in EZ Baccarat. Dragon 7 pays 40:1 (Banker wins with three-card 7); Panda 8 pays 25:1 (Player wins with three-card 8)

LeoVegas New Zealand features a strong lineup of baccarat titles, particularly in its live casino.

• Golden Wealth Baccarat (Evolution): Combines classic play with 2x-8x multipliers via five Golden Cards per round. A 20% Golden Card fee applies. Set in a visually rich, AR-powered studio

• Lightning Baccarat(Evolution): Features 2x-8x RNG multipliers drawn after bets close, with the chance to stack. Includes a 20% Lightning Fee. High volatility with bold Art Deco visuals

• Live Speed Baccarat (Evolution/Playtech): Rounds finish in under 30 seconds, with face-up cards and short betting windows

• Squeeze Baccarat (Pragmatic Play Live): Builds suspense through slow card reveals, controlled by the dealer or interactively by the player. The pace is slower, but the tension is higher

LeoVegas features baccarat titles from several major studios, each bringing their own style and strengths to the table:

• Evolution: Offers live titles including Lightning, Speed, Squeeze, and Golden Wealth Baccarat. Their games feature high production quality, multi-angle streaming, and varied side features

• Playtech: This provider offers titles including Prestige Baccarat, Speed Baccarat, and No Commission Baccarat. Their games combine reliable performance with strong visual presentation and a variety of classic side bets

• Pragmatic Play Live: Offers titles like Classic Baccarat and Speed Baccarat, with streamlined interfaces, flexible commission settings, smooth mobile play, and clear roadmap tracking

• Real Dealer Studios: These games blend RNG mechanics with pre-recorded video of real dealers. Titles like Real Baccarat with Courtney deliver a cinematic, one-on-one format designed for solo and mobile play

• OnAir Entertainment: A newer studio with a growing baccarat lineup. Games like Lotus Speed Baccarat offer sleek visuals and quick gameplay, designed with mobile operation in mind

LeoVegas’s live baccarat tables deliver the feel of a real casino through polished presentation and responsive gameplay.

Rooms range from luxurious venues with marble and chandeliers to vibrant Asian-themed sets.

Multi-angle HD streams include close-ups, overhead views, camera switches, and slow-motion reveals, especially during squeezes. Themed graphics and effects, like shimmering visuals in Golden Wealth or lightning flashes in Lightning Baccarat, are used to heighten the presentation.

Professional dealers handle gameplay and engage with players through chat. Private and VIP tables often allow one-on-one sessions, with control over shuffle timing and game pace.

Roadmaps like Bead Road and Big Road update in real time, reflecting each round’s outcome. Bet history and table stats display recent results and patterns.

Wager controls let you repeat, double, clear, or save bets. Side bets and features like squeeze mode can easily be accessed directly through the interface.

Most streams are broadcast in HD with low latency. The software adapts to slower internet connections without sacrificing functionality. On mobile, both portrait and landscape views are supported with responsive layouts that maintain access to all features.

LeoVegas hosts exclusive and private tables, including Salon Privé for VIPs, where players can control the pace and decide when to start each round.

LeoVegas, known as the King of Mobile Casino, offers fully responsive baccarat on both iOS and Android. The interface adapts to any screen size, maintaining crisp visuals and full performance across devices.

Since interfaces adjust to screen size, games support both portrait and landscape modes, with vertical tables eliminating the need to rotate your phone. Layouts scale cleanly, keeping card displays legible and controls easy to reach.

The app adds quick access, biometric login, faster loading, and notifications, while the browser version supports the same full game suite. HD streams adjust to your connection speed to keep gameplay running smoothly.

The casino’s mobile-first features include swipe-to-bet, one-hand layouts, saved bet presets, and auto-rotate settings. If your connection briefly drops, your bet will still be recorded and the outcome applied.

Baccarat is mostly a game of chance, but structured betting helps manage risk and maintain discipline. While no strategy alters the odds, the following systems and tips can bring more control to your sessions.

These systems are used to structure betting patterns across wins and losses when executed with discipline:

• Martingale: Double after losses to recover with one win. Risky, as table limits can block recovery and losses escalate quickly

• Paroli: Double after wins, usually up to three rounds. Keeps risk contained while taking advantage of short streaks

• Fibonacci: Use a gradual sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5…). Move forward after a loss, back two steps after a win

• 1-3-2-6: Follow a four-step betting sequence. Reset after any loss or after completing the cycle. Aims to minimise losses while locking in small gains

Below are practical ways to manage your bankroll while keeping decisions steady:

• Baccarat has a low house edge, but losing streaks still happen. Size your bets to survive swings without chasing losses

• Set session limits and stay within them

• Use stop-win and stop-loss markers to exit once you’ve hit a set target or loss

• Take a break if you notice emotions affecting your choices

These basics help avoid common mistakes and keep your play structured:

• Begin with Banker bets, which carry the lowest house edge

• Avoid Tie and side bets, as they offer worse returns over time

• Don’t bet on both Banker and Player; any win is offset by commission

• Use roadmaps to observe trends, not to forecast outcomes

• Keep sessions short to maintain focus and avoid chasing results

FAQs

LeoVegas Casino is an industry leader in premium casino games and mobile gambling. The casino works well on mobile devices, and there's even a dedicated native app that you can download for your Android and iOS device. With your LeoVegas app, you can easily access its mobile casino, and live casino sections. Also, the app lets you thoroughly enjoy the exciting LeoVegas games, including popular mobile baccarat games and slot machines.

At LeoVegas, you can play baccarat online in both the free demo and real money modes. You’ll find several premium RNG-based free baccarat games from top vendors such as Playtech and Evolution Gaming. However, live dealer games are not available in the free demo mode. To enjoy its thrilling selection of live dealer games, you'll need to register, log in, and top up your account with real money.

Baccarat card counting is a popular baccarat strategy that involves predicting the next card that will appear and taking note of the cards that have been used.

Other strategies include the martingale strategy, where you double your bet in the next round when you lose, and the parlay method, where you double your bet in the next round when you win, using your winnings in the next round!

The dealer has the most frequent win percentage, with a slight edge when it comes to betting on the dealer winning. A basic online baccarat strategy could also recommend players to avoid tie bets with those wins having the least chance of occurring. Due to the house edge for the dealer, a commission is often charged on winnings from a dealer bet.

In baccarat, the tie bet has the highest house edge which means it is the least likely outcome when choosing to bet between the players, the dealer and a tie.

The dealer has the house edge when playing baccarat online. If players wish to bet on the dealer winning over the player, commissions are typically charged on the winnings from that bet.

Baccarat is one of the more straightforward options among online casino games once players become familiar with the basic rules of the game. It is regarded as a great option for all players as no skill or strategy is required.

Players need to bet on one of the two hands on the table. Players can bet on the outcome of the dealer or player winning or the end result being a tie. To win, the hand the player bet on must be closer to the value of 9 than the other hand.

The winning hand in baccarat is the one that equals a total value of 9. Cards to take note of are the ace, 10 card and picture cards. The ace will be valued at 1, with the 10 and picture cards equaling zero.

When it comes to the baccarat game, the dealer's hand has winning odds of 45.8%, with the player's hand sitting at 44.6%.