Play Baccarat Online at Bovada Casino

Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games to play for real money. Bovada offers three versions of the game: Baccarat, Classic Baccarat, and Live Dealer Baccarat. All three versions follow the same rules and can be accessed using desktop or mobile devices. Baccarat can be found in Bovada’s Casino or Live Dealer sections.

How to play Baccarat

Baccarat is one of the oldest and simplest casino table games, making it a long-time favorite among both new players and seasoned casino veterans. The goal is to bet on which hand - the Player or Banker - will finish closest to a total of nine. A third option, the Tie, pays more but is less likely to hit.

Players set their wager by selecting casino chips on the table, then place a bet on Player, Banker, or Tie before the cards are dealt. The Dealer then deals out cards for the Player and Banker. Number cards count at face value, aces are worth one, and 10s and face cards are worth zero. Only the last digit of the total counts, so if a hand with six and eight equals 14, the final score is four. The highest hand between Player, Banker, and Tie wins.

Baccarat Bets

Baccarat offers only three betting options: Player, Banker, or Tie. If the hands don’t tie, the winner is the hand with a total closest to nine. A winning Player bet is paid out at 1:1, generating a very low house edge of 1.24%. A winning bet on the Banker is paid 1:1, minus a 5% commission. This results in a lower house edge of 1.06%, as the Banker’s hand wins 45.9% of the time, compared to 44.6% for the Player. A Tie occurs approximately 9.5% of the time and pays 9:1, resulting in a house edge of 4.85%. 

Players can bet a minimum of $1 and a maximum of $500 on each hand. In Bovada, Baccarat players can decide whether they want to “Rebet” their wager for the same amount to the same side. A rebet for double the original risk amount is also possible.

Card Values

Tens and face cards (Jacks, Queens, and Kings) are worth zero points, Aces are worth one point, and all other cards are worth face value - suit or color does not matter. If one hand totals more than nine points, the first digit in the score disappears, and only the second digit has value.

For example, if the Player side is dealt a five and a seven, the total is 12. In Baccarat, only the last digit counts, so the score becomes two. If a third card is drawn and it’s a nine, the new total is 21 - again, you drop the first digit, leaving a final score of one. Bottom line: always go with the second digit in the total score.

The Baccarat hand that finishes closer to nine wins. If the Player or Banker is dealt a total of eight or nine, that’s known as a natural, and the winner is paid immediately.

Drawing and Standing Rules

A third card can be dealt in some cases during the game. The Player side always gets the third card first. If their total is between 0-5 points, a third card is automatically drawn. If the total is six or seven, the Player side stands. Then it’s the casino Banker’s turn. If the Player didn’t draw a third card, the Banker will automatically draw with 0-5 and stand with six or seven. If the Player did draw a third card, there is a Baccarat tableau of rules that outlines what will automatically happen next:

• 0-2: Draw
• 3: Draw if Player has 0-7
• 4: Draw if Player has 2-7
• 5: Draw if Player has 4-7
• 6: Draw if Player has 6-7
• 7: Stand

These rules are automatically followed, and the final score is calculated automatically as well. As stated earlier, the hand that finishes close to nine wins.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Live Dealer Baccarat operates under the same rules as the digital version. However, instead of playing against computer software, you interact with a real dealer in real time. The game is streamed from a professional casino studio or floor, using multiple cameras to capture the action. 

Also, Live Baccarat offers a Dragon Side Bet.  A Dragon Side Bet in Baccarat lets you wager on the Player or Banker winning by a natural or winning by a wide margin. Bigger winning spreads trigger higher payouts, making this side bet riskier but more rewarding.

Baccarat Frequently Asked Questions

What is the objective of Baccarat?

The goal is to bet on which hand – Player or Banker – will have a total closest to nine. You can also bet on Tie, but it’s a less common result.

How do card values work in Baccarat

Cards 2–9 keep their face value, 10s and face cards count as zero, and Aces count as one. If a hand totals more than nine, only the second digit counts (e.g., 15 = 5).

Can I play Baccarat online with a real dealer?

Yes. Bovada offers Live Dealer Baccarat, where you play against a real dealer streamed in real time. You’ll find it in the Live Dealer section.

What are the main bets in Baccarat?

The three standard bets are Player, Banker, and Tie. Banker bets typically have the lowest house edge, though casinos take a small commission on Banker wins.

Is online Baccarat fair? 

Yes. Bovada online Baccarat is six decks run by a random number generator (RNG) to ensure cards are delivered at random.