Top Rated Online Casinos to Play Baccarat
Most Played Variants of Baccarat by New Zealanders
Numerous software providers create baccarat games these days. Thanks to that, you’ll come across several versions of this game when you register at a legit NZ online casino. A few of the most played baccarat variants are the following.
- Standard Baccarat (a standard play where you can bet on the player, the banker or make a tie bet. The goal is for your cards to have a sum of 9 and if you go over the limit, the counter resets)
- Live Baccarat Squeeze (multi-angle live dealer baccarat game where the player that makes the biggest bet has the right to squeeze the cards or nominate other players to show their hand)
- No Commission Baccarat (a baccarat variant where winning banker bets don’t come with a 5% fee)
- Baccarat Banque (this variant is played with three decks of cards. One player has the role of the banker until they cannot place any more bets)
- Mini Baccarat (just as the name itself suggests, Mini Baccarat is played on a smaller table. Up to seven people can participate in a betting round and this variant uses eight decks of cards.)
- Speed Baccarat (in standard baccarat, an average betting round lasts about 48 seconds. Speed Baccarat speeds things up as an average betting round here lasts about 27 seconds)
- Chemin de Fer ( in Chemin de Fer, players take turns as bankers. The role is passed whenever the banker bet loses)
- Dragon Tiger ( vastly popular in New Zealand. The general gameplay is identical to standard baccarat. Instead of having player and banker bets, this game features Dragon and Tiger bets)
- Live Dealer Baccarat (standard baccarat, but as a live dealer version. All bets are placed in real-time and there aren’t any RNGs here. Trained professionals host the games)
- Live Baccarat Control Squeeze (similar to Live Baccarat Squeeze, players take control of the squeeze. You just need to click/tap on the edge of the card to reveal its value.)
How We Rate Baccarat NZ Online Casinos?
If you’re going to play baccarat online, you must do so at the best casino sites. BestCasino knows the struggle of searching for legitimate platforms. That’s why we did the hard work for you and managed to find the best baccarat online casinos in New Zealand. While reviewing their services, we paid extra attention to a few features.
Trustworthiness
First up, we have the trustworthiness factor. This is where we take a look at reviews from players to see how was their overall experience with the baccarat online casino. Then, we look at the security measures – SSL encryption, license, the use of RNGs, as well as enforcing responsible gambling policies.
Game Variety
Having one online baccarat game isn’t enough. A good NZ casino site should have multiple variants at your disposal. Not only that, but we search for extra casino games. The math here is very simple – the more diverse the library is, the better.
User Experience
Then, we register an account to get a feel of the gambling site itself. Casinos that offer real money baccarat should have simple navigation, fast page load speed, quick access to the most popular sections and solid display of the license information.
Bonuses and Promotions
The best baccarat sites should offer tons of promotions to Kiwi players. Having a rewarding bonus isn’t enough though. We inspect the terms and conditions to see whether it’s easy for an average player to use the bonus and then, withdraw the potential bonus winnings.
Mobile Compatibility
Research shows that mobile gaming is on the rise in New Zealand. So, being mobile-compatible is now a standard that the best online casinos must uphold. As such, BestCasino makes sure that the gambling site that offers baccarat games is optimized for use on any mobile device.
How to Choose the Right Baccarat Casino?
BestCasino is always scanning the market for the best real money casinos that offer baccarat. We list only those that meet the highest standards in both security and entertainment. The final choice is up to you, though. So, here’s what you can do to choose a platform that will meet or exceed your expectations.
Understanding Your Preferences and Needs
First and foremost, ask yourself what exactly you want from a casino and the baccarat table where you’re planning to play. Are you a high-roller? Or a laid-back player? Do you play often or only on specific days? Are you prone to changing casinos or do you want to stick with one site?
These needs will tell you whether to opt for casinos that have higher or lower minimum deposit limits, whether they feature VIP clubs and whether they have other game types aside from baccarat.
Checking License and Regulation
Several regulators license and oversee casino sites on an international level. Some of them are more effective, some are less. So, check the license information of the casino to see if your desired authority accredited the site.
Reading Reviews and Testimonials
Never forget to read testimonials from other players. They will give you hands-on insights into deposits and withdrawals, the real house edge, how easy it is to claim bonuses, etc. You may stumble upon valuable information that will either convince you to register or search for another site.
Testing the Waters with Free Games
Before you access and play baccarat for real money, test the games via free play baccarat. Open the demo versions. That way, you’ll play your favourite variants without risking your bankroll. Many of the casino sites that we listed offer demo play and they don’t even require you to register to enjoy them.
Tips for Playing Baccarat Online Successfully
If you’re going to play the online baccarat game for real money, you’ll have to learn the basics of the game and learn an extra few things. Knowing the right tips will propel you and give you good leverage over the game, so let’s have a look at them.
Mastering the Basics: Rules and Strategies
Let’s start with the basics. The rules in real money and free baccarat are the same. There are two parties in each round – the player and the banker. The main goal is to bet on the side that you think will have a greater sum of cards.
The system of counting when playing baccarat online is simple. Cards 1-9 are valued by their number. Royals don’t have any value and jokers don’t play. Sums 8 and 9 are considered “natural” wins.
At the start, the player and the banker receive two cards, face-down. Then, they are revealed and you summarize the numbers. If the player’s sum is 5 or lower, they can ask for a third card. If the two cards end up having a sum greater than 10, the counter resets. For example, if you have an 8 and 4, you don’t have 12, but 2. The hand with the greater sum wins.
Although real money baccarat mostly relies on luck, you can implement strategies to increase your chances of winning.
Managing Your Bankroll Wisely
When you play baccarat online (and all casino games in general), the main goal is to manage your bankroll wisely. Don’t chase after losses. Don’t chase after winnings. Don’t wager too much money per round. Limit the time that you spend per session. The longer you play, the more money you’re likely to spend. Remember – the idea is to have fun.
Taking Advantage of Bonuses and Promotions
Gambling NZ sites offer various bonuses and promotions. For example, after you register and make your first deposit, you can claim the welcome package. Then, there are match bonuses, reload bonuses, bonus money, cashback bonuses, etc. Make sure you take advantage of them because they can increase your potential winnings.
Practicing Responsible Gambling
Never forget to gamble responsibly. The best casinos in New Zealand have various RG tools – deposit limits, time limits, self-exclusion programs, partnerships with RG organizations, etc. Make the best use of these tools.
How to Play Online Baccarat?
Once you get a hang of the basic rules of gameplay in baccarat, playing it is very easy. You just need to complete a few steps.
Browse Our List of Operators
Check out our list of best baccarat online casinos in New Zealand. Each brand that we feature is reviewed and tested. As such, they can guarantee you maximum security when you play. Don’t forget to take your personal preferences into account.
Pick a Brand and Sign Up
Choose from the sites and register an account. When registering, provide the operator with basic information about yourself. Confirm that you’re over 18 and accept the T&Cs. Keep in mind that some online baccarat casinos will ask you to verify your account immediately after signing up.
Deposit Money and Claim a Bonus
Check out the list of deposit options. Pick a method in accordance with your preference. Enter the amount that you want to deposit and confirm the transaction. Claim the casino’s welcome bonus and use it if it applies to baccarat.
Access and Play Baccarat Online
Search for your favourite baccarat table and access it. Read the respective baccarat rules to know what’s the minimum bet. Wager and wait for the outcome of the game.
Baccarat Strategy – How to Win in Baccarat?
Baccarat strategies can increase your chances of winning. They don’t guarantee you wins, but they can make the overall experience much better. There are several of these strategies that you can get familiar with and use, depending on your level of skill.
Basic Baccarat Strategies
If you just learned the basics of online baccarat and feel comfortable enough, a few popular basic strategies that you can research and implement are:
Martingale Baccarat Strategy
The Martingale Baccarat strategy involves doubling your bet after every loss, with the goal of recovering all previous losses and making a small profit when you win. While it can be effective in the short term, it carries significant risk as losing streaks can quickly exhaust your bankroll or hit table limits.
D’Alembert Baccarat Strategy
The D’Alembert Baccarat strategy is a low-risk betting system where you increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. This approach aims to balance wins and losses over time, but it relies on the assumption that outcomes will eventually even out, which may not always happen.
Fibonacci Baccarat Strategy
The Fibonacci Baccarat strategy is a progressive betting system based on the Fibonacci sequence, where each bet is the sum of the two previous ones. After a loss, you move one step forward in the sequence, and after a win, you move two steps back, aiming to recover losses gradually while minimizing risks.
- Martingale and Reverse Martingale
- D’Alembert
- Fibonacci
- Mikki Mase Strategy
- Oscar’s Grind Strategy
Advanced Baccarat Strategies
There are advanced strategies for more experienced players as well. Keep in mind that they are a bit complicated and can require a higher bankroll to implement them. With that being said, a few advanced baccarat strategies are:
- Golden Eagle
- Silver Tiger
- Labouchere System
Baccarat Odds, House Edge and Payouts
The beauty of playing online baccarat is the fact that there’s a low house edge. The RTP depends on the type of bet. In many instances, the house edge on banker bets is just 1.06%. That means that the baccarat RTP stands at around 98.94%. There are also variants such as Golden Wealth Baccarat, where the RTP is 98.85%.
As for the odds, the odds of winning a player bet are around 44.62%. The banker odds are 45.86%. As for a tie bet, the odds of winning it are around 9.52%. These percentages tell one thing – baccarat is among the casino games with the best odds.
Playing Baccarat for Free vs Real Money
Once you learn the basics of baccarat, the big question is whether to play free baccarat or for real money. Well, there are pros and cons for both options. It all comes down to what you’re looking to gain.
Free Baccarat
Pros
- No damage to your bankroll
- Great to get familiar with the rules
- Chance to experiment with strategies
- No registration needed
Cons
- Bonuses and promotions aren’t available
- Not a lot of casinos offer demo baccarat
Real Money Baccarat
Pros
- Can use bonuses and promotions
- Real money winnings apply
- Live baccarat games are up for grabs
- Diversity in online baccarat casino websites
Cons
- Losses may incur
- Higher risk of gambling harm