Our Guide to Playing Online Baccarat

Baccarat, casino-wise, has traditionally been the preserve of high rollers, sometimes wagering hundreds of thousands of Rand on every hand they play. It's even James Bond's game of choice is in Fleming the novels. However, casinos based online, like Springbok Casino, have opened baccarat up to a completely new, broader audience in South Africa.

For online players who've never tried baccarat in one of these VIP rooms, the game can look a little bit strange. However, the rules of baccarat are fairly simple. Casino baccarat hinges on the placing of bets, then waiting for two hands to be dealt in the hopes of making some real cash.

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“Can't make it to a land-based casino? We list the top places to play baccarat online, making sure they're safe, fair, reputable, and that they offer an excellent baccarat experience.”

How to play baccarat

In casino baccarat or live dealer baccarat, cards 2-9 are worth their face value. 10s and face cards are worth zero. An ace is worth a single point. However, when the value of a hand is being determined, only its rightmost digit is taken into account. For example, a 2 and a 5 make a hand of 7. One that consists of a 3 and an 8 is worth 1. The best hand is one with a value of 9.

Depending on the value of a hand, further cards are then drawn. A player hand with a value of between 1 and 5 prompts the drawing of another card. The hand stands with a value of 6 or 7, or if a 'natural' (an 8 or 9) is drawn then no more hands are drawn for the player.

Here's where casino baccarat gets tricky. The banker also draws if the hand is worth between 0 and 2 and stands between 7 and 9, but their action between 3 and 6 depends on what the player hand has. This degree of flexibility is why many players deem the banker hand best and choose to bet on it.

Which hand to bet on

Although the two hands are called the player hand and the banker hand, players can bet on either one. That's true not just in South Africa, but all over the world. However, because it has a slightly lower house edge (1.06% compared to a house edge of 1.24% for the player hand), a 'commission' of 5% is paid out of any winnings obtained by betting on the banker hand - if you can't stand the idea of sharing your winnings with the casino, baccarat may not be your game.

Despite the resemblance to blackjack, there's no benefit to card counting to attempting to use advantage play - baccarat, casino experts would have you believe anyway, has very close to the same odds as betting real money on the flip of a coin. Keen players would tell you there's much more to it than that.

Online baccarat in South Africa

Can't make it to a land-based casino? South Africa online baccarat is one option you really should consider. We only list the top places to play baccarat online, and each site is open to South African players. We've tested them out to make sure they're safe, fair, reputable, and that they offer an excellent baccarat experience. Plus, you'll be able to play all your favourite casino games if you're in the mood for something else. So check them out. Casinos listed on this page will definitely treat you right.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is online baccarat popular in South Africa?

Yes. Online baccarat is one of the games most enjoyed by South African players. It offers players the chance to show their gambling skills while also adding in a sense of luck and excitement to all players who engage with the game. Its rules are fairly simple which makes baccarat a game that can be played by all level players.

What are the best casinos to play at?

At this site, we test all casinos available to South African players, ensuring that they offer the best possible service. Therefore, you’ll enjoy playing baccarat at any of the casinos we recommend, most of which will have this incredibly popular game as part of their selection.

How does it compare to regular baccarat?

Online baccarat and regular baccarat are almost identical, so if you’ve played the game in real casinos before, you’ll easily be able to transition to the online form. The only difference is that online baccarat can be played at much lower stakes, therefore meaning that it is open to a much wider range of different people.

Is it popular in South Africa?

Baccarat isn’t the most popular game in an online casino, however it is still enjoyed by large numbers of South Africans every day. This is because it has a great mix of skill, luck and excitement, which is what most people want from a casino game.

How much is it possible to win?

The amount you can win is infinite, as you can simply keep playing hand after hand after hand. In terms of a single hand, the most you can win is 8x your initial bet, which comes when you bet on a tie. Chasing big wins isn’t always the best way to make a long-term profit though, so make sure you understand baccarat strategy before playing.

Is there a tournament option?

Baccarat tournaments are certainly not as widespread as poker tournaments, however they do exist at some casinos. The general concept of a baccarat tournament is as you’d expect: you simply have to win more than the other players in order to scoop the prize.

Are baccarat games rigged?

Like all online casino games, baccarat games are strictly monitored by an independent regulator, therefore they are not rigged. Once you get your first big win, you’ll realise that the idea of baccarat being rigged is an irrational one.

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