Online Baccarat: The Ultimate Guide for Irish Players
Last Updated: August 28, 2025. All casino data and game details were re-verified in August 2025.
Welcome to our expert guide to online baccarat. This guide will teach you everything you need to know, from the basic rules to the best places to play real money baccarat in Ireland. We’ve conducted a full analysis of the top online casinos to help you find sites with the best live dealer options, low house edge, and solid welcome bonus. Let’s get started!
Find Your Perfect Baccarat Site Fast
Use our expert-selected quick links to find the best site based on your priorities:
Our Top 3 Baccarat Casinos for Irish Players
These sites consistently offer the best selection, bonuses, and experience for playing baccarat online.
- Offers a variety of slots, table games, and live dealer options.
- Licensed and regulated with strong security measures.
- Competitive welcome offers and promotions for players.
- Offers a vast range of sports and betting markets
- High-quality live streaming with real-time betting options
- Well-established brand with strong security and licensing.
- Modern and easy-to-navigate interface.
- Quick withdrawals, especially via e-wallets.
- Offers slots, live casino, and sports betting.
The Casumo Services Limited company is registered under reg number c-55663 in Malta as well.
How to Play Online Baccarat: A Step-by-Step Guide
Baccarat is one of the simplest casino games. There are no complex decisions to make—you simply bet on the outcome of the hand.
The Objective
The goal is to bet on the hand that you think will have a total value closest to 9. There are three possible outcomes for each hand: Player wins, Banker wins, or a Tie.
Card Values
Cards are valued differently from other games:
- Number Cards (2-9): Their face value.
- 10s and Face Cards (J, Q, K): Are all worth 0.
- Ace: Is worth 1.
If the total of a hand is a two-digit number, you drop the first digit. For example, a hand with a 7 and an 8 totals 15, which is counted as 5.
Player Actions (Betting)
You have three simple betting options before the hand is dealt:
- Bet on the Player: If the Player’s hand wins, you get a 1:1 payout.
- Bet on the Banker: If the Banker’s hand wins, you get a 1:1 payout, but with a small commission (usually 5%) to the casino. This is a common rule because the Banker’s hand has a slightly higher chance of winning.
- Bet on a Tie: If both hands have the same value, you win. This bet offers a high payout (often 8:1 or 9:1), but has the highest house edge.
Once bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards to the Player and two to the Banker. The game rules (called the “Tableau”) then dictate if a third card is drawn for either hand. This is a fully automated process, so no strategy is needed after placing your bet.
The Simple Baccarat Strategy
Unlike blackjack, baccarat has no complex strategy charts. The best strategy is incredibly simple and based on the game’s house edge.
The Golden Rule: Always bet on the Banker. This is the mathematically optimal choice due to the low house edge.
The payouts and house edge for each bet are as follows:
| Bet Type | Payout | House Edge | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | 0.95:1 (due to 5% commission) | ~1.06% | 98.94% |
| Player | 1:1 | ~1.24% | 98.76% |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 | ~14.36% | 85.64% |
As the table shows, the “Tie” bet has an extremely high house edge and should be avoided entirely by serious players.
Popular Online Baccarat Variations
While the rules of baccarat are simple, there are several popular variations available at online casinos:
- Punto Banco: This is the most common version you will find online, and it’s the game we describe in our guide. “Punto” means Player and “Banco” means Banker.
- Speed Baccarat: A fast-paced version where each round lasts only 30 seconds. Ideal for players who prefer rapid gameplay.
- Baccarat Squeeze: This is a live dealer game where the dealer slowly “squeezes” the cards, adding an element of suspense and drama before revealing the value.
- Live Dragon Tiger: A simplified version of baccarat where only two cards are dealt, a “Dragon” and a “Tiger.” The highest card wins.
⚠️ A Word of Warning about “No Commission Baccarat”
This variant may seem appealing because there’s no 5% commission on Banker wins. However, if the Banker wins with a total of 6, you are only paid 0.5:1 (half your stake). This rule actually increases the house edge to ~1.45%, making it a worse bet than standard baccarat.
Our Verified Test Results: House Edge, RTP & Bonus Contribution
We’ve tested the most popular baccarat games available at these casinos, verifying the house edge and payout rules.
Important: The house edge is determined by the specific rules of the table, not the casino brand itself. The data below reflects the most common baccarat game rules we found and verified at each casino.
| Casino | House Edge (Banker) | RTP (Banker) | Live Baccarat Stakes | Wagering Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 888 Casino | ~1.06% | 98.94% | €1 – €5,000+ | 10% |
| bet365 Casino | ~1.06% | 98.94% | €2 – €10,000+ | 25% |
| Casumo Casino | ~1.06% | 98.94% | €1 – €10,000+ | 10% |
A Note on Bonuses: Baccarat often has a low wagering contribution. Bet365 offers a more generous 25% contribution, but it is still often better to use your bonus on slots before playing baccarat.
Full Expert Reviews
Understanding the Live Baccarat Experience
The majority of online baccarat played today is live dealer baccarat. The industry is dominated by a few key providers, with Evolution Gaming being the market leader. They offer a wide variety of tables, including “Speed Baccarat” for faster play and “Baccarat Squeeze” for added suspense. The quality of the stream and the professionalism of the dealers are key factors we considered in our reviews.
- Offers a variety of slots, table games, and live dealer options.
- Licensed and regulated with strong security measures.
- Competitive welcome offers and promotions for players.
- Offers a vast range of sports and betting markets
- High-quality live streaming with real-time betting options
- Well-established brand with strong security and licensing.
- Modern and easy-to-navigate interface.
- Quick withdrawals, especially via e-wallets.
- Offers slots, live casino, and sports betting.
The Casumo Services Limited company is registered under reg number c-55663 in Malta as well.
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Baccarat
-
What is the best bet in baccarat?
The best bet is always on the Banker. It has the lowest house edge (~1.06%), which gives you the best mathematical chance of winning in the long run.
-
Is baccarat a game of luck or skill?
Baccarat is almost entirely a game of luck. Unlike blackjack, you do not make any decisions after placing your bet. Following our one simple strategy rule (betting on the Banker) is the only skill involved, which is why it’s a great game for beginners.
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Can I play baccarat for free?
Yes. Many online casinos offer free-play or demo versions of their RNG baccarat games, but live dealer games typically require real money to play.
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How do I set deposit limits on these sites?
Each of the recommended casinos allows you to set deposit limits in your account settings. We strongly recommend setting daily, weekly, or monthly limits before you start playing.
-
Why do you pay a commission on the Banker bet?
The Banker bet has a slightly higher chance of winning, so the casino takes a small commission (usually 5%) to balance the odds and ensure the house retains its advantage. This is what gives the Banker bet its low house edge.
Want to try other classic table games? Check out our expert guides to online roulette and online blackjack.
Play Smart. Play Responsibly.
Gambling can be addictive. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, please seek help. We recommend setting deposit limits, loss limits, and time outs on your account. For free and confidential support in Ireland, contact:
GambleAware.ie | Freephone: 1800 853 853
ProblemGambling.ie | Helpline: 089 241 5401
For a free self-help tool, you can also check out The Stop Gambling App by Extern.