Top Live Baccarat Sites in Ireland 2024

Baccarat Explained

Baccarat is a card game where players can bet on whether the ‘player’ hand or the ‘banker’ hand will be closest to a value of 9, decided by the cards dealt, or they can bet on a tie. There are several variations of the game, including punto banco, baccarat chemin de fer or ‘chemmy’, and baccarat banque. Punto banco is by far the most common, and that’s what we’ll be discussing here.

A round of baccarat is called a coup. After the bets are placed, two cards are dealt face up to the player and banker. Aces are worth 1, the number cards 2–9 are worth their face value, and 10s and face cards are worth zero. If the value of a hand goes over 9, 10 is subtracted. For example, drawing 5 and 8 results in a hand worth 3 points — 5 plus 8 is 13, so 10 is subtracted to give 3. 

Once the cards have been dealt, each hand’s total value is compared. If either hand is dealt a natural — a value of 8 or 9 in the first two cards — the coup ends and the winning bets are paid out. If not, a set of rules determines what happens next and more cards are drawn to establish the winning hand. If the hands tie, bets on the player or banker remain in play for the next coup. 

Standard baccarat has one of the lowest house edges of any table game. Usually, winning bets on the player hand pay out at 1-to-1. Winning banker bets are paid even money with a 5% commission, or 19-to-20. Both of these bets have a house edge of just over 1%. Tie bets pay out at 8-to-1 or 9-to-1, but they’re best avoided as the house edge is much higher.

How We Review Live Baccarat Sites

When we review live baccarat sites at TopRatedCasinos.ie, we look at several important factors in detail. The very best live baccarat sites excel in each one. Here are the areas we’ll consider when reviewing a live baccarat site.

Licensing

Our first stop is always in ensuring a site holds an appropriate gambling licence. In Ireland, licences must be awarded by a reputable body such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority. 

While a gambling licence doesn’t totally guarantee a player’s safety, it does offer a degree of protection. Operators found in violation of the licensing requirements are risking severe penalties or loss of licence. As such, we always urge players to only use licensed sites.

Games and Collections

The casino games are the reason players are at the site, so the depth of a site’s collection is one of the most important aspects of its offering. The best sites cover many game genres and will have variations within each. 

In the case of live baccarat, we’ll look for format variants alongside traditional baccarat. These could include multi-camera setups, speed baccarat, and extra betting features. More options means more choice for players. 

User Experiences

A well-designed site goes a long way towards a great player experience. It’s something you may not even notice until a site gets it wrong. Attractive and practical design makes a site easier to navigate, and accessing the banking and support functionalities must be seamless.

Customer Service

Any time you’re playing with real money, it’s vital to know you can reach someone if you experience any technical issues. Strong customer service consists of flexible contact channels like email, phone, and live chat, combined with fast and friendly responses. Players feel more confident playing at sites with reliable customer support.

Mobile

We expect all online casinos to support mobile play, and so do our players. Sites should be optimised for mobile browsers, but the best online casinos offer bespoke gambling apps that players can download to their smartphone or tablet device for a smoother experience.

Banking Options

The more payment methods a casino supports, the more convenient it is for players. We expect to see the most popular methods as a minimum, including e-wallets like PayPal and prepaid cards such as Paysafecard. We’ll evaluate the speed of deposits and withdrawals too — our users are big fans of same-day payouts.

Live Baccarat Sign-Up Offers

New customers often want to take advantage of the many sign up offers at online casinos with live baccarat. Below, we’ll explain a few of the bonus types you might come across. Make sure you read the terms and conditions beforehand. Some payment methods, including e-wallets such as PayPal, may be ineligible for a site’s bonus. 

Matched Deposits

One common sign up offer is a matched deposit. This is where the casino matches the amount of your first deposit up to a certain level. You might see a 100% matched deposit offer up to €50. When you make your first deposit, you’ll receive double the value of the deposit in bonus funds up to a maximum of €50. 

The bonus funds can be used for eligible games across the site, which usually includes table games like baccarat or roulette. Check for wagering requirements in the terms and conditions. You may not be able to withdraw any winnings until you’ve wagered several times the value of the bonus. Watch out for expiries on the bonus funds too, as you’ll lose them if you don’t use them within a certain period. 

No Wagering

Many players love bonuses with no wagering requirements as it means any resulting winnings can be withdrawn immediately. You should check if maximum win limits apply to the no wagering bonus, as you won’t be able to use or withdraw anything over the limit. 

Low Deposit Baccarat

Some online casinos allow low deposit amounts, potentially down to a €1 minimum. This can be appealing for those getting started with the game. Check the minimum bet for the game of baccarat you want to play so you can choose one that suits your bankroll. Keep in mind that some welcome bonuses require you to make a deposit of a certain amount. You may also find no deposit bonuses which are granted as soon as you sign up. 

Mobile Baccarat Offers

Some sign up offers are exclusively available within a casino mobile app. It’s worth looking out for these if you prefer to play casino games on the small screen. You’ll likely see matched deposits and no wagering bonuses up for grabs.

How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat can seem complex to new players. In this section, we’ll get you up to speed on the different rules you’ll encounter. Once you’re playing, it’s actually quite simple. 

Baccarat Rules

Players are betting on which hand’s value will be closest to 9, so the first thing to understand is the value of each card. The number cards 2–9 are worth their face value, aces are worth 1, and 10s and face cards are worth zero. Hand values are never higher than 9. If a hand’s value is 10 or higher, 10 is subtracted: a hand that draws a 6 and a 5 is worth 1. 

If a hand draws a value of 8 or 9 in the first two cards, it’s called a natural. The round ends and the winning bets are paid out. If neither hand is worth 8 or 9, what happens next depends on the drawing rules — keep reading to learn about those in more detail.

Betting On Baccarat

There are three main bets in baccarat, a player win, a banker win, and a tie. The table below shows the payout, chance, and house edge of each in a baccarat game using eight decks.

Some casino operators offer side bets where a player can bet on particular outcomes. Available bets depend on the casino and baccarat game, but a few different betting options are:

• All red or all black – the player hand will solely contain red or black suits;
• Perfect pair – the banker or player opening hand will be a pair of cards;
• Royal match – the banker or player opening hand will consist of a king and queen; 
• Bellagio match – the banker or player will be dealt a hand containing three cards of the same rank.

Take note of any betting limits for the baccarat table you’re playing at, as there will be a minimum and maximum bet amount.

Player Hand 

If neither hand is dealt a natural, the drawing rules are used to establish if more cards are dealt, starting with the player. If the value of the player hand is 0–5, a third card is drawn. If the value is 6 or 7, the player stands and no third card is drawn.

Actions Chart

Banker Hand

After following the rules for the player’s hand, it’s the banker’s turn. These are more complex and depend upon whether the player has drawn a third card. If they haven’t, the banker follows the same rules as the player and a third card is drawn for a hand value of 0–5. If the player has drawn a third card, its value dictates what the banker does, as shown in the following chart. 

Actions Chart

D denotes draw and S denotes no draw or stand.

Winning at Baccarat

Ultimately, baccarat is a game of chance so there’s no way to guarantee a win. That said, you can maximise your returns. You should avoid making tie bets, as the house edge on these is substantially higher than backing banker or player wins. Betting on banker wins has the lowest house edge, even with the 5% commission, so you’ll lose the least money on average in the long run. 

Side bets can make baccarat gameplay more exciting and some of them offer the possibility of large payouts, but they’re unlikely to win and come with a high house edge. Avoid them if you want to get the best returns.