Online Baccarat for Real Money in New Zealand Online Casinos

Online Baccarat for Real Money in New Zealand Online Casinos

Baccarat is an iconic casino table game with global recognition thanks to its easy-to-understand game rules. Like Andar Bahar, online baccarat has a few main bet options: betting on the banker, player, or a tie bet. In addition, unlike other table games, such as online blackjack, baccarat doesn’t require much strategy and skill. As such, it’s easy for beginners to play online casino baccarat in New Zealand casinos for real money. Besides, if you relish a risk-free approach, you can play free online baccarat to practice gameplay and learn the rules without spending your hard-earned bucks.

The baccarat game online is played with a deck of six to eight cards, and the side (player or banker) with a hand value closest to 9 points wins the round. If these two sides have the same points, it’s considered a push or a tie. This guide will help Kiwis understand the baccarat game better as it will feature its rules, history, odds, payouts, some winning tips and strategies. Additionally, we’ll explore some of its most popular variations and recommend the best online baccarat casino sites in NZ herein.

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Oliver G. Written & published: 03.05.2023 By author Oliver G.
Richard B. Reviewed & updated: 20.03.2024 By gambling expert Richard B.

About online baccarat

Like other card and table games, baccarat also features a rich history. However, its origin is somewhat debatable. Its chronicles take us back to medieval Italy in the 1400s, where Felix Falguierein, an Italian croupier, is believed to have invented the game. Initially, the game was called “baccara” and was played with Tarot cards. “Baccara” is an Italian term that translates to “zero” or “nothing” in English since all face cards and tens were valued at zero. In this version, four dealers dealt cards, and every player could be a banker. Also, players could wager against other players and the house. Over the years, the game spread in popularity and was particularly famous in 17th-century France.

In France, the game was known as “Chemin de Fer” or “Chemmy” (translating to “railway baccarat”). This baccarat version was well-liked by King Charles VIII and his noblemen and remained a hit for centuries. With time, the game spread to England and was famously adopted in the 007 (James Bond) films, spurring its popularity further. Later the game extended into the Caribbean and South America under the name Punto Banco or American Baccarat as we know it now.

Currently, you can play several online baccarat variations with a few additions like side bets and other modern interpretations. Some even feature high RTP (return to player) percentages.

Online baccarat interface

  • Online baccarat interface
  • Online baccarat interface
  • Online baccarat interface
  • Online baccarat interface

Rules of online baccarat

Online baccarat can be played with a standard six or eight deck of 52 cards, shuffled after each round. The gameplay rules are easy to grasp. When you play baccarat online, the objective is simple: predict which hand (the player or the banker) will be closest to 9 points. The one closest to nine wins the round. In addition, you can wager on the tie bet, predicting that both hands (player and banker) will be dealt hands with the same point values. In online baccarat, the tie bet has the highest payouts of the three main bets. Suppose there’s a tie outcome; players with a wager on the tie bet will receive a corresponding payout, while other players with bets on the player or banker will get their stake back.

Please note that all wins on the banker’s hand come with a 5% commission. Also, there are baccarat gameplay rules regarding when the player or banker will draw the third card. We’ll look at this later in this article. Finally, a baccarat table can host up to 14 players in a land-based setting. However, an online casino with baccarat games has no player limit since they compete against the software. 

The game’s interface is easy on the eye as the table features three segments (banker, player, and in the middle, the tie section). At the bottom, you’ll see your balance, the “Deal” button, and your total bet amount for each round. You can also access the game’s rules and paytable through the settings option. Remember, top baccarat online casino sites offer free play mode, allowing you to enjoy the game before starting real money gameplay.

Online baccarat card values

Like other card casino games, you should learn the card rankings when playing baccarat online for real money. That way, you can calculate the value of the hand you’re dealt quickly. In online baccarat, cards 2-9 take the pip value. So, for example, a three is worth three points, a six, 6 points, and so on. In addition, all face cards such as Queens (Q), Jacks (J), Kings (K) and all tens are worth o points. Lastly, aces are worth 1 point. As mentioned, the hand with the closest value to nine wins the game round. Notably, joker cards are not used in the baccarat game online. That’s true for most card games, except for poker and video poker variations where the joker cards are used.

Away from that, how would you calculate your dealt hand in online baccarat? It’s simple. Suppose on your first round, your side receives two cards (5 and 6), equalling 11. That means your hand will be worth 1 point since the outermost digit decides the hand’s value. So, you’ll drop the first digit (1) and have a hand value of 1. If the total was 16, you drop the one and remain with a hand value of 6. Suppose, on the first two dealt cards, the banker or player gets a hand value of 8 or 9, regarded as a Natural; the game will end with no further drawn cards and all bets settled. 

Player’s third card rule

Suppose neither the player nor the banker has a Natural hand; the game will continue as per the third-card rule in online baccarat:

  • The player’s side will draw a third card if the initial hand total is 5 or less
  • The player stands (doesn’t draw another card) if the first two-card hand is worth 6 or 7
  • Also, the player’s side doesn’t get additional cards if there’s a Natural

If the player’s hand doesn’t draw a third card, the banker’s hand will follow the player’s rules above. That is, the banker’s hand only gets a third card if its hand total is 5 or less and it stands on a hand total of 6 or 7.

Banker’s third card rule

The banker’s third card rules are a tad complex and apply if the player draws a third card.

  • Suppose the player’s third card is a 2 or 3; the banker will draw a third card if its total is between 0 and 4 and will stand with a total of 5 to 7.
  • If 4 or 5 are the player’s third card, the banker will draw a third card if its initial total is between 0 and 5 and stands with a total of 6 or 7.
  • Suppose the player’s third card is a 6 or 7; the banker will draw a third card if the first two-card total is between 0 and 6 and stands with a total of 7.
  • In case the player’s third card is an 8, the banker will only draw a third card if the initial total is between 0 and 2 and will stand with a total of 3 to 7.
  • Finally, if the player’s third card is an ace, 9, 10, or a face card (K, Q, J), the banker will draw a third card if its two-card total is between 0 and 3 and stands with a total of 4 to 7.

Baccarat Bet Types and RTP

Bet Type RTP Percentage
Banker 98.94%
Player 98.76%
Tie 85.64%
Banker Pair 89.64%
Player Pair 89.64%
Perfect Pair 91.95%
Either Pair 86.29%
Big 95.65%
Small 95.65%

Online baccarat gameplay

With the above game rules and card rankings, you can now easily play baccarat online for real money. The game’s simple, but what might challenge you are the third-card baccarat rules. Still, with a few game rounds, you should be well acquainted. That said, here’s a step-by-step guideline on how to play baccarat online:

1

Create an online casino account

You can select one from our list of the best online baccarat casino sites for a smooth experience. Also, if you wish, you can claim any bonus offers on your first deposit.

2

Open your preferred online baccarat game

Decide your bet amount by selecting the corresponding betting chip values on the baccarat table.

3

Place a bet

Drag and drop your desired chips on the betting options (player, banker, and tie) on the table.

4

Tap “Deal”

Two cards will be dealt for the player’s side and two for the banker’s. Depending on the outcome, winning bets will be settled and losing bets collected. If a third card is drawn, the above rules will apply. Remember, if it’s a tie, Player and Banker wagers are returned, and tie wins are paid out.

Online baccarat variations

The top online casinos with baccarat games in NZ usually offer players numerous game variations from multiple software vendors. As such, you can pick the one that best suits your style of play. Some of the most popular variations at fast payout casinos in New Zealand include Chemin de Fer, Punto Banco, and Baccarat Banque. Besides these titles, you can find others such as No Commission Baccarat, Mini Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze, Speed Baccarat, live dealer baccarat, etc. That said, below are brief reviews of the most famous versions available on top baccarat online casino sites.

Punto Banco

This is the most widely accepted and popular version of online baccarat. It’s also known as American Baccarat, and the name Punto Banco arises from the two popular bet options, player (punto) and banker (banco). This version is the one described on this page.

No Commission Baccarat

This baccarat game online features the same rules as Punto Banco, except for a few differences. For starters, the 5% commission deducted on all winning banker’s bets is eliminated in this version, hence the name, No Commission Baccarat. That means a banker’s hand pays even money, 1:1 in this version. However, there’s an exception. Bankers’ hands that win with 6 points will be paid 50% of their wagers (1:2).

Moreover, No Commission Baccarat provides additional betting options through side bets. One side bet is Lucky 6, which pays out when the banker’s hand wins with a total value of 6. For example, if the banker’s hand comprises three cards and its value is 6, the payout is 20:1. If the banker’s hand has only two cards and its value is 6, the payout is 12:1.

Live dealer baccarat

Live dealer baccarat is the best choice if you fancy a more realistic baccarat gameplay that replicates a brick-and-mortar gambling environment. Like online baccarat, there are multiple variations of live dealer baccarat, and whichever you choose, the rules are pretty much the same. The primary difference comes in gameplay since live dealer baccarat has real-life dealers dealing and shuffling the playing cards while conducting the game instead of the RNG software. 

In addition, with some games streaming in real-time from land-based casinos and others in dedicated studios, Kiwis can get a more authentic and immersive gaming experience. Notably, you can play live baccarat from any device, desktop or mobile. The objective is the same; predict which side will win by getting a hand value as close as possible to nine.

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Online baccarat odds and payouts

Online baccarat is a game of chance, but you can calculate the odds of a particular outcome based on probability. However, when you play baccarat online for real money, your chances of winning will mainly depend on the baccarat variation. Therefore, based on a baccarat game using an 8-card deck, the banker’s hand has the highest odds of winning at 45.87%. That’s why the banker’s bet is considered the safest bet when playing baccarat online. The banker’s hand pays at 0.95:1 since it wins more times statistically. Nevertheless, please note that a 5% commission is subtracted from all wins on this bet. 

On the other hand, the player’s hand pays even money (1:1) with a 44.63% chance of winning. The tie bet has the lowest statistical chance of winning at 9.51%. That’s why it’s considered a risky bet, and most experts will advise against placing tie bets. Despite that, the tie bet offers the highest payouts of 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the variation. The optimal RTPs for the player, banker and tie bets in real money online casinos with baccarat games are 98.76%, 98.94%, and 85.64%, respectively.

Side bets in online baccarat

Generally, when you play baccarat online, you’ll have two bet types: common bets (banker, player, and tie) and a range of side bets. In addition to the main bets, you place side bets like Either Pair, Dragon Bonus, etc., to try and boost your payouts since they generally have better payouts. Nevertheless, the higher payouts come with risks, including a higher house edge and low probability outcomes. These are some of the side bets you can find in an online casino with baccarat games:

  • Either Pair

    The Either Pair side bet pays out if the first two cards dealt to the banker’s or player’s side form a pair. For instance, the Either Pair bet wins if the first two cards on either hand are of the same rank (two Queens, two 5s, etc.). The side bet has a payout of 5:1 and a house edge of 14.54%.

  • Perfect Pair

    To win on a Perfect Pair online baccarat side bet, either hand (player or banker) must receive two cards of the same suit and rank. For example, if the first two dealt cards to the player’s side are 4 of spades or 7 of clubs, the bet wins and pays out at 25:1. This bet has a 17.07% house edge.

  • Dragon Bonus

    This side bet pays out depending on what you win by or, rather, the margin of victory. The Dragon Bonus side bet is often found in Mini Baccarat and can be wagered on either the banker’s or the player’s hand. In addition, the payout will depend on how many points you win by, with the max payout (30:1) on a 9-point winning margin.

  • Royal Match

    If you wager on this bet, either the player or the banker must get a King and Queen as the first two dealt cards. As such, if these two cards (Q, K) are of the same suit, the bet pays 75:1 and 30:1 if the cards don’t have the same suit.

  • Big/Small

    With the Big and Small side bets, you predict how many cards will be dealt in total in a game round. Therefore, if the total cards dealt are 5 or 6, the Big side bet wins and pays out 0.54:1. Conversely, the Small side bet wins if the total cards dealt are 4, and it pays out at 1.5:1.

Online baccarat providers

The NZ online gambling scene has many software providers operating in the region, including top brands like Microgaming and NetEnt. As such, the best baccarat online casino sites in New Zealand will undoubtedly offer Kiwis multiple top-quality baccarat game variations. With that in mind, these are the most sought-after online baccarat game providers in NZ.

  • netent

    NetEnt

    This is one of the niche’s most popular software vendors. It prides itself on crafting highly engaging titles with sleek animations, superb arithmetic models, graphics, and immersive sounds. The company was founded in 1996 and, as such, has over 15 years of industry expertise. Its catalogue features top online pokies, jackpots, and table games compatible with mobile devices. Regarding online baccarat, NetEnt offers Baccarat Pro, a variation using an 8-deck with the same simple rules, but has no side bets. The game’s min and max bets are NZ$0.10 and NZ$5000.

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  • Microgaming

    Microgaming is another true great of the iGaming sector. It’s regarded as a pioneer as it launched the first online casino software after its inception in 1994. Since then, it has won over 60 industry and non-industry accolades, showcasing its commitment to creating top-quality content. Microgaming’s catalogue features online video pokies, progressive jackpots, table games, and more. Its titles are innovative and use up-to-date technology to provide an immersive gaming experience for players. The software provider offers two baccarat options, Classic Baccarat and Baccarat Gold. The latter is the standout, featuring additional gameplay elements like “rotate” and “Squeeze”, mostly found in live baccarat versions. Also, it has two side bets, Banker Pair and Player Pair.

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  • Pragmatic Play

    Pragmatic Play

    Pragmatic Play is another noteworthy software publisher in NZ minimum deposit online casinos offering baccarat online for real money. The company specialises in multiple products, including video pokies, bingo, sports betting, virtual sports, and live casino releases. Among the providers herein, Pragmatic Play is the only one that supplies a live baccarat version, Speed Baccarat. This game features fast-paced gameplay with only a 15-second betting time, and the live dealer deals cards faster. In addition, it features multiple side bets like the Either Pair, Player Pair, Perfect Pair, etc. Besides Speed Baccarat, the provider has an RNG-style Classic Baccarat game with the basic gameplay rules, odds and payouts, etc.

    Read more.

Online baccarat tips and tricks

We’ve comprehensively covered the baccarat game online, featuring its gameplay rules, odds and payouts, variations, side bets, and more. So now that you’re well-equipped with that, how do you increase your winning chances when playing at a baccarat online casino? Below we’ll recommend some tips, tricks, and betting systems you can use to get the edge while playing for real money. However, remember that these tips don’t guarantee 100% success. So, here we go:

  • Play the demo versions of online baccarat to learn gameplay and rules before playing for real money.
  • Manage your bankroll appropriately by setting loss and win limits. Also, keep your gaming sessions short, especially after a winning streak. As a gambling thumb rule, winning streaks are followed by losing streaks, mostly. So, know when to stop to avoid chasing losses.
  • The banker bet is the safest in online baccarat as it has a higher probability chance, despite the 5% commission. As such, you can play this bet most of the time. Still, you should trust your instincts as it’s a game of chance. Any outcome is possible.
  • Avoid the tie bet. Although it has better payouts (8:1 or 9:1), the chances of winning on a tie bet are low, and the bet features a high house edge (about 9%).
  • Choose your side bets wisely; some come with an outrageous house edge. However, the Big/Small side bets are considered safer.
  • You can use betting systems such as the Martingale strategy. With this system, you double your bet after every loss. The principle is that you’ll recoup all your losses with just one lucky winning bet.

Play Baccarat for free

 

Conclusion

Online baccarat is one of the easiest table games available at top Bitcoin online casinos in New Zealand. The rules and the gameplay are elementary, unlike other table games where you have to make crucial decisions during the game. More importantly, with our exhaustive guide, Kiwis can learn the game rules, typical gameplay, and the different bets and side bets available when playing online casino baccarat in New Zealand. Moreover, the odds and payouts section will help you make wise bets and know the number of winnings to expect. Finally, with our recommended online baccarat tips and tricks, you can start online baccarat gameplay for real money and play like a pro, mathematically increasing your winning chances.

Online baccarat FAQ

Is online baccarat available in New Zealand?

Absolutely! You can find numerous baccarat variations from our hand-picked list of NZ's best online baccarat casino sites.

How to play baccarat online?

Baccarat gameplay is simple. Choose your bet amount and bet on the player's hand, the banker's hand, or a tie bet. The hand with a total value closest to nine wins the round.

How much can I win in online baccarat?

That will depend on your bet and the baccarat version you're playing. Generally, side bets offer higher payouts, with some even reaching 75:1. However, with the common bets, the tie bet pays more at 8:1 or 9:1 but has a lower probability of winning.

Which baccarat bet has the best odds?

The banker's hand has the best odds of winning, with a 45.87% probability.

Can I play online baccarat on a mobile device?

Yes. Online baccarat games are mobile-optimised, and thanks to HTML5 technology, these games can smoothly launch and play on iOS and Android mobile devices.