The online gambling movement in Canada has been gaining momentum ever since the activity was made legal in the province of Ontario in April 2022. A new realm of entertainment was unveiled to the Ontarian public with online casino and online sports books rushing to obtain licenses from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Casino classics such as poker, blackjack, roulette, and baccarat were suddenly available online and since 2022, the Canadian online gambling industry has evolved further to bring these games to the full range of digital devices, including smartphones, tablets, and even smart watches.

While blackjack, roulette, poker, and online slots are popular amongst Canadian online gambling enthusiasts, one game is grabbing the country’s attention and is regularly sought after. That game is baccarat. For those unfamiliar with the game, it can be best described as a variant of blackjack. This helps establish the basic understanding of the premise of the game. But for those who play baccarat online for real money in Canada, there are intricacies to the game that make baccarat so engaging.

The concept of predicting the outcome of hands that are dealt to the bank and the player is essentially the aim of the game. However, gaining an understanding of the odds involved in baccarat will take your game to another level, while also increasing the enjoyment factor. As the world’s most popular gambling game, online casinos in Canada have been providing a wide range of baccarat options since online gambling was legalized in 2022.

Bank, Player, or Tie?

The first thing to understand when putting together a baccarat strategy is how the table works. A classic baccarat table is divided into three sections that represent the outcome of the round. These are designated to the “Bank,” “Player,” and “Tie.” These are the three outcomes that are possible with the objective being to arrive as close as possible to the total of 9. At this stage, it is worth noting that the bank wins 45.8% of the hands, with the player winning 44.6% of the time, and a tie coming in 9.6% of the time. As they say, the bank always wins.

However, as a player, you have the choice of backing the bank. The payout lines of each outcome are as follows:

-          Bank: 1:1 with 5% of the commission on winnings going to the casino

-          Player: 1:1

-          Tie: 8:1 or 9:1 depending on the casino

Understanding the Card Values

One of the unique aspects of baccarat is the value that each card has. Cards 2-9 hold their face value. However, this is where it gets slightly more intricate. Number 10, Jack, Queen, and King are all worth ZERO, while the Ace is worth 1 point. The totals of both cards are added up, but there is another crucial point to remember at this stage. In the scenario that a total has two digits, for example 11,12, or 13, the first digit is dropped, and the right-hand number is taken as the total. There could of course be a scenario that both hands are affected.

Third Card Potential

The final key development to get a grasp of in the game of baccarat is the prospect of a single digit total falling between certain values. If the player’s hand reveals a score of 0-5, the player receives a third card to contribute, or not, to the total. For the bank, the total needs to fall between 0-2 to trigger a third card. The same objective applies. Hitting 9 or the closest total of the three cards to 9 wins.

How to Approach Baccarat?

Like with any online casino game, the game of baccarat involves a lot of luck. While advanced players might be able to count cards in blackjack, the effect is less felt in baccarat. Using the winnings odds reveals that the bank does indeed win more hands than less, even if it is only by a slim margin. With fine winning margins between bank and player outcomes, the best tip would be to be wise with the finances. The occasional bet on a tie can reap great rewards, but the percentages of that outcome are significantly lower.

With live versions of baccarat now available on online gambling platforms, it is now possible to play baccarat from the comfort of your home. With a heavy element of chance involved, it is wise to play with finances that can be afforded and quitting while ahead is also a valuable strategy in general when roaming around the online casino floor.

Baccarat is a fast-paced game that comes with plenty of thrills and spills. Once an understanding of the odds and how the baccarat table works is established, the choice is yours. Do you back the bank, the playing population, or do you go bigger for a tie?