Top Live Dealer Baccarat Casinos

Why play live dealer baccarat?

Baccarat has always been an option at online and land-based casinos, yet for many years it has played second fiddle to the likes of online blackjack and roulette. The emergence of live dealer tables has given the game a new lease of life and more and more players are trying their hand at live dealer baccarat games. Let’s take a closer look at why it’s such a hit amongst online casino players.

It’s realistic

If you can’t make it to an actual bricks-and-mortar casino, then live casino baccarat is as real as it gets. The dealers are either based in a real casino or a fully kitted-out studio, so players are fully immersed in an authentic setting. On top of that, live dealer baccarat has the social element that makes playing at real casinos so fun. You can use the live chat feature to interact with the dealer, and you can even enjoy chatting to your fellow players in some live games.

High and low stakes

While baccarat may have a reputation for being the game of choice for high rollers, live baccarat casinos bring this much loved game to players of smaller budgets too. The minimum bet limits are higher than in RNG baccarat games, but there’s a number of live variations you can play from £1 per bet. Of course, live casinos also cater for players looking to wager higher stakes than most RNG games – on some tables you can bet up £15,000 per hand!

Fair gaming

All of the games available at UK-licensed online casinos are regulated to ensure they’re fair. However, some casino purists feel more comfortable with a real person dealing the cards, rather than computer software. Whatever baccarat title you play, you can be sure that all the games at our recommended UK casinos are 100% fair and honest.

Instant play

Whether you are on a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone, live baccarat is ready and waiting for you. The majority of casinos these days have ditched the software download model and switched to instant play, which means you can play on any device at anytime.

All players welcome

The simplicity of baccarat means that seasoned pros and total beginners can sit at the same table and enjoy the thrill of this game together. Baccarat is entirely a game of chance, so even those with no understanding of how to play baccarat can pick it up within a few minutes and enjoy the thrill of a live dealer baccarat casino.

How to play

Here are a few simple steps to follow to set you on your way to playing live dealer baccarat:

Know the rules
The goal is to get a hand that is as close to nine as possible. Cards two through to nine are worth their face value, aces are worth one, while tens and all face cards have a value of zero.

Place your bet
To start things off, you need to get some money on the table. There are three main betting options in baccarat – banker, player, or tie. The tie bet has a pretty high house edge, so you’re best off wagering on either the banker or player.

Cards are dealt
The dealer deals two cards to both themself and the player. The value of each hand is calculated by adding each card together and taking the right number of the total. So if you have 8 and 7, the hand is worth 5 because 8+7=15. If either hand totals 8 or 9, known as a ‘natural’, that hand wins the round.

Third card rule
If neither player wins, the third card rules come into play. A third card is dealt to the player if their hand totals 0-5, while the player stands if their hand totals 6-7. The third card rules for the dealer are a bit more complicated and depend on the total of the player’s hand. Luckily, the dealer does all the hard work for you in live baccarat games, so all you need to do is watch as the action unfolds!

Collect any winnings
Land a lucky win? Player bets payout at 1:1, so, a £10 bet equals a £10 win. A bet on the banker hand also pays 1:1 but there is a 5% commission fee, so a £10 bet wins you £9.50. Tie bets payout at 8:1.

How does live dealer baccarat work?

There’s no high tech secret behind live dealer baccarat sites – games are simply streamed in real time from live casino studios. You play just as you would an animated game, making your bets via the software interface. Then simply sit back, watch the dealer do their thing and hope the cards land in your favour! Many of the top casino software developers stream their games in HD, making for an even more immersive casino experience.

Live dealer baccarat variations

When you first enter a baccarat live casino, you’ll notice a few variants you can choose from. Those working with a smaller budget can enjoy live mini baccarat, while high rollers can join in the fun at high limit VIP tables. Aside from high and low stakes games, let’s check out the main variations you can find at live dealer baccarat casinos:

Baccarat squeeze

The ‘ritual of the squeeze’ sees the dealer slowly reveal the cards, adding extra tension to this already thrilling game. This is popular in land-based casinos and has been added to live casino baccarat for a more authentic experience. Baccarat squeeze also slows the game down, perfect for those looking for an evening’s worth of entertainment.

Speed baccarat

Speed baccarat is the opposite- this is fast and furious. You can win big in no time at all. In fact, in Evolution Gaming’s Live Speed Baccarat each round is completed in just 27 seconds, making this one of the most rapid live dealer games on the market. Of course, you can lose big just as quickly, so make sure to play sensibly and only bet within your means.

The answer is right in front of you. TopRatedCasinos.co.uk has scoured the web to find the very best live dealer baccarat sites. Our carefully curated top casino list to check out the best bonuses on the market, while our expert reviews cover everything from games collections to withdrawal times. It goes without saying that we only recommended UKGC licenced live baccarat sites, so you know you’re in safe hands. Compare and sign up to start playing live dealer baccarat today!