Online Baccarat In Ontario Apr 2024: Full Guide & Casinos

What We Look For in Ontario Online Baccarat Sites

With a low house edge (most bets favor the casino by just above 1%) and a penchant for exciting, dramatic moments, more and more people are starting to play online baccarat in Ontario. Here, we'll give you detailed reviews of 100% legal online casinos that offer real-money baccarat games.

As you'd probably expect, not all online casinos are created equal, with varying odds, software settings, game graphics, banking options and more. Before we dive into where you can find the best baccarat online, let's go over what our criteria are for reviewing specific casino sites.

✅ Gameplay Variants/Options

While baccarat rules should be consistent across different online casinos, there are some new and interesting versions of the game you can play. For example, some online casinos offer multi-hand baccarat games or fast-paced, speed variants. And these are fun ways to add new twists to a centuries-old, classic game.

Players who prefer the standard setup certainly don't need to chip in at these types of tables, while anyone looking for a change of pace may find them to be an entertaining option. Beyond these gameplay updates, you'll also find a wide range of table minimums and maximums at different online casinos, along with varying odds for the elusive tie bet. A small change in that payout, from 8-1 to 9-1 for example, may seem minor, but it can make a difference in the overall house edge.

✅ Presentation & Style/Live Dealer Baccarat

Not surprisingly, online baccarat games can feature very different graphics, animation and overall style. And like other casino games, the look and feel of the specific version of the game you're playing can greatly change the atmosphere and fun factor. If you can't stand the way a game looks, you may not enjoy playing, even if the gameplay is top quality.

The need for an entertaining presentation is even more important for live dealer games, and baccarat is actually a very popular live game at many of the best online casinos. The host or dealer can have a huge impact on your enjoyment level, with their own unique style, personality and approach. And the physical baccarat table and setting they're broadcasting from can, too.

✅ Safety & Security

To even consider recommending Ontario online baccarat sites, they need to be fully licensed, regulated and monitored by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. No matter how legitimate offshore or unregulated online casinos may seem, they can never truly guarantee the safety of your private information or your money.

To get a license, it's required that an online casino features important security features, such as SSL encryption, multi-factor authentication and a thorough player verification process. Though not required, some of the best casinos also have a responsive and knowledgeable customer support team that can help both with gameplay questions and issues or with security- and account-based concerns.

✅ Solid Overall Game Selection, Featuring the Most Popular Casino Games

There's absolutely nothing wrong with specializing in baccarat or any other online casino game, but it's always nice to have options – both in terms of offering baccarat game variants and a good selection of other casino games. If you're not a fan of the other games offered, it's no skin off your nose, and you can just ignore them. But if you do like dipping your toe (or diving in headfirst) into casino games like blackjack, roulette, craps or slots, it's very convenient to have everything under one digital roof.

Top Online Baccarat Casinos in Ontario

Using the criteria described above, we've come up with some of the best options for baccarat players in Ontario. All of the following online casinos get high marks from us as well-designed, fun and trustworthy places to chip in.

Royal Panda Casino

Royal Panda Casino blends a subtle natural theme with a bright, classy layout to create an elevated gambling experience. In terms of baccarat, the online casino features a few digital versions of the game, including two first-person options and a lightning baccarat game as well.

But the live games are where Royal Panda really shines. There are a dozen choices for live baccarat, powered by industry-leading software and technology from Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play and Authentic Gaming. There's a wide variety of hosts, table setups and even gameplay options like multihand, no-commission and speed baccarat.

On the technical side of things, Royal Panda Casino runs smoothly on both the website and the app, with a player-friendly navigation system and layout. There are little to no connectivity or hiccups during gameplay, and customer service is available via live chat or email when any issues or concerns do come up. Many banking options are available for both deposits and withdrawals, and security meets high standards.

Spin Casino

With a colorful design scheme and a fun, vibrant atmosphere, Spin Casino is another great option for playing baccarat online. Like Royal Panda, it has a huge variety of games in general, and specifically has a number of good baccarat options for Canadian players.

One-player, digital baccarat is accessible 24/7, and many live dealer games are available, too. The live casino is driven by software from Evolution Gaming, an award-winning developer that's one of the most respected in the industry. The variety of play options and styles should keep baccarat players entertained, whether you like to mingle and chat with the dealer and other players or just enjoy being in a live casino environment.

Spin has a well-reviewed app for mobile devices, with many of the games (including baccarat) being optimized for play on smaller touchscreens. Baccarat play is smooth on whichever platform you prefer. Customer service is always available through live chat, and Spin Casino goes beyond FAQs to provide players with rules outlines, strategies and even betting tips. With a more complex game, this kind of guidance can be very helpful.

Lucky Days Casino

Boasting hundreds of games from top software developers, Lucky Days Casino has a modern, memorable design that makes players feel like they're getting the full casino experience. Although there's no dedicated app, games run very well in the browser-based experience on desktop or mobile devices. Whether you want to play baccarat from your computer or mobile baccarat, you shouldn't have any technical issues.

Lucky Days Casino is very easy to navigate, there's an excellent search feature and the overall theme of the design pulls of being both cute and classy. You can always chip in at a single-player baccarat game, and there's a solid live casino version of the game available, too.

Safety and security are up to par, there are plenty of banking options and you can submit requests to customer service at any time through their online form.

PartyCasino

One of the more recognizable names on this list, PartyCasino has not just plenty of great single-player games, but one of the larger lives casinos available to Ontario players. The general design of the website and mobile app keeps things light, bright and fun, while the performance on both platforms is smooth and virtually bug-free.

PartyCasino actually offers an exclusive online baccarat game, with its own unique design for the table and digital casino floor. But like some of the other online casinos mentioned in this section, the array of live casino options for baccarat is what makes them truly stand out. A number of different hosts and international themes offer something for every baccarat player, and there's a speed version of the game for gamblers who like to think and play fast.

As you'd expect with one of the bigger companies in the industry, safety and security at PartyCasino feature policies, technology and a thoroughly-trained staff all working to protect you and your account. Most card-based and digital payment methods are available for both payments and withdrawals. There's a very detailed and helpful FAQ section onsite, and customer support is also available to help if you can't find the answers you're looking for.

How You Can Start Playing Real Money Baccarat

Ready to get started playing baccarat online? Whether you want to sign up at one of the sites above or explore other options, it shouldn't take long for you to create and fund your account. All licensed Ontario casinos will have prospective players fill out some personal and verification information. If there aren't any hiccups, you should have your new account up and running in a matter of minutes.

Next, you can choose from any of the banking options on the particular site you're on. With nearly every payment method, you'll have to fill out some fairly detailed information the first time you use it, with subsequent deposits allowing you to skip that part of the process. After a successful payment, the money will be available for you to bring to the baccarat table (or other casino games) instantly. Just like that, you'll be ready to play.

Mobile Baccarat for Ontario Gamblers

Many Canadian casinos have a mobile app to go with their web experience, with many actually devoting most of their resources to their mobile players. And it's not hard to see why things are becoming more device-focused – whether you're traveling in-province or just relaxing at home, your phone is often the most convenient and simplest way to play your favorite games. You don't have to boot up your computer and internet connectivity is often faster and easier. On top of that, many online casinos are optimized for smaller screens and touchscreen functions – some of which are mentioned further up this page.

For online casinos that don't have a dedicated app, that doesn't necessarily mean that you can't play baccarat on the go. Most websites and game clients will work close to, if not equally, well in a desktop or mobile browser. If you bookmark the web address for a casino, the experience can be almost exactly the same as if you were opening an app – you just need to open your browser and select the casino from there instead of opening it from your home screen.

Do All Ontario Gambling Sites Offer Baccarat Online Casino Games?

The short answer is no. Although more people are playing online baccarat, it's definitely still more of a niche casino game than other card games or slot games. So you shouldn't be surprised if you're scoping out an online casino and you notice that baccarat isn't available on that particular platform.

And where you might find a dozen different versions of blackjack on a given site, you may find that even online casinos that do feature baccarat will have only a few variants, with one or two live casino options. All that said, there are plenty of ways you can play baccarat online, including many listed out on this page.

Understanding the Rules of Baccarat

hether you're an old hand at the game or just learning about it, baccarat rules can be a bit more complex than other casino games. It's certainly a bit more difficult to pick up and play than gambling staples like slots or blackjack. Without further ado, let's get into basic baccarat rules, before moving into more advanced strategies in the following section.

At its most basic, the goal of baccarat is to predict which of two hands, known as the "player" hand and the "banker" hand, will be closer to nine after all cards are dealt. (Note that there is almost always a small commission paid on winning banker hands.) You can also bet that the hands will tie. All bets must be placed before the start of each round of play, known as a "coup." After bets are in, two cards are dealt to both the player and the banker. Cards dealt are valued as follows:

• 10s and face cards are worth zero
• Aces are worth 1
• All other cards dealt are worth their face value

If the value of either hand is 10 or greater, only the second digit is the value of the hand. For example, an 8 and a 9 would add up to 17, giving a hand value of 7. (You can also think of this as subtracting 10 from any hand with a value of 10 or more.)

If the player, banker or both hands have a total of 8 or 9 after these initial two cards, that's called a "natural," and the round is ended in favor of the hand closer to 9 or as a tie. If neither the player or banker hand is a natural, there is a third card dealt before calculating a winner, with some exceptions. If the player hand value is 6 or 7, no further cards will be dealt to it. The banker will receive a third card according to these rules:

• If the player’s 3rd card is an A-10 or a face card, the banker draws with a total of 0-3 and stays with 4-7.
• If the player’s 3rd card is an 8, the banker draws with a total of 0-2 and stays with 3-7.
• If the player’s 3rd card is a 6 or 7, the banker draws with a total of 0-6 and stays with 7.
• If the player’s 3rd card is a 4 or 5, the banker draws with a total of 0-5 and stays with 6 or 7.
• If the player’s 3rd card is a 2 or 3, the banker draws with a total of 0-4 and stays with 5-7.

Baccarat Strategy

So as you can probably tell, baccarat is a more numbers-based game than most, with pre-set scripts for each round to follow based on hand values. As such, baccarat strategy is heavily based on probabilities and minimizing loss over the long run.

🃏 Go for the Banker Bet

To put it simply, no matter what personal betting strategies you have, you'll always do better in the long run by exclusively choosing the banker bet. The banker hand will win more often because of the flexibility it has in receiving a third card, as outlined in the rules section above. This is why there's typically a commission attached to this bet. However, even with the commission, the overall house edge is significantly lower for the banker bet than the player bet.

🃏 Choose the Tie Bet Sparingly

Obviously, playing online baccarat isn't a viable way to "beat the system" or make a quick buck, and most players will get more enjoyment from varying the type of bet they make. We wholeheartedly understand that, and player bets and tie bets absolutely win on a regular basis. Our only advice on this front would be to avoid overusing the tie bet. Both the banker and player bets give a house edge of just over 1%, whereas the tie bet has a house advantage of over 14%.

🃏 Know The Odds for Optional Side Bets

In a similar vein, some online casino platforms will offer baccarat players the ability to place side bets with each round. Similar to blackjack side bets, these can involve what and how many cards will be dealt to the player and the banker. Banker or player pair bets pay out when cards of the same denomination are dealt with a hand, for instance. You can also bet on the combined number of cards that will be dealt in a round.

Whatever side bets you go for, it's important to remember that your odds will be much worse than the low house edge for standard baccarat bets. Before you elect to place these bets, it's not a bad idea to look online for a rundown of what your chances are for each type of bet.

🃏 Should I Bet More on Banker Rather Than Player?

As we outlined just above, you'll want to bet on the banker hand to maximize your long-term odds. This bet has the lowest house edge, and conversely, the best overall return-to-player rate.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning at Baccarat?

Outside the proven best baccarat strategy of always taking the banker hand to win, there are some other general methods you can use to improve your chances. You should set a baccarat budget and play responsibly, never betting amounts that you're uncomfortable losing. Consistent bet amounts also help you avoid the big lows that can come with betting with a lot of variance.

Lastly, make sure you know all the basic baccarat rules and odds. Understanding what the most likely outcomes are will help you approach any baccarat game with confidence, whether you're aiming to play optimally or want to take a few chances.

What Are Online Baccarat Odds and Payouts?

In terms of the odds, the banker hand has roughly a 46% chance or winning each round, whereas the player hand has just over a 44.5% chance of earning the win. The remaining 9.5% goes to the tie. In terms of payouts, the banker bet pays 1:1, with a 5% casino commission, the player bet pays 1:1 and the tie bet pays 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the online casino you're playing at.

Popular Types of Online Baccarat

In its long history, a few different versions of baccarat have become the most popular varieties. We outlined the basics of the game above, but here, let's take a look at some rule and gameplay variations you might run into at an Ontario online casino.

Punto Banco

Punto banco is actually what the majority of what's played on physical and digital baccarat tables in North America. Unlike older, more historical versions of the game, punto banco follows a strict set of rules dictating play. Originally, baccarat featured more individual choices by players, but this type of ruleset is rarely, if ever, seen in casinos today. Punto banco also requires the casino to bankroll the game at all times, eliminating the ability for patrons to act as player-bankers.

Mini Baccarat

A mini-baccarat table usually allows for fewer players and generally has lower bet minimums and maximums (even online). Some versions of mini-baccarat also tweak the commission paid on banker bets, with higher commissions being paid, but only on one or two banker hand values. For example, you might be paid 1-1 on most banker bets, but pay a hefty 50% commission if the banker hand has a value of 6 at the end of the round.

Three-Card Baccarat

Three-card baccarat is very similar to the typical punto banco version most people have played, but the big difference is that there are always three cards dealt to both the player and banker hand. Other changes to gameplay include the prevalence of side bets and the fact that the number of face cards dealt to one side is used to break ties. For this reason, there are many fewer ties in this variation of the game.

How Popular is Online Baccarat in Canada?

As we mentioned early on, baccarat is growing in popularity, particularly in Canada. The game has a lot of dramatic and exciting moments, which seem to translate well to an online casino setting. With more and more players giving the game a try, we're seeing not just more retail and online casinos offering the game, but more versions of the game, with small rule tweaks or gameplay changes. Additionally, more and more live casinos now have baccarat on the menu.