Online baccarat has a reputation as a high-roller game in a tuxedo, but it is one of the easiest casino games to learn. You make one choice per hand, the cards are dealt by fixed rules, and there is nothing to memorise. That simplicity is exactly why it suits Aussie players who want a calm table game between pokie sessions.
Here we explain how baccarat works, which of the three bets makes sense, the myths to ignore and how to play it at Fair Go Casino, which offers a digital RNG baccarat table but no live dealer version. rocketplay6.net is an independent guide site; we earn a commission if you sign up through our links. 18+ only.
Quick facts
- Bets
- Player, Banker, Tie
- Decisions per hand
- One: where to bet
- Dealer
- RNG only, no live baccarat
- Software
- SpinLogic Gaming
- Currency
- AUD
- Similar games at Fair Go
- Pai Gow, Vegas Three Card Rummy, Tri Card
How online baccarat works
Two hands are dealt: the Player and the Banker. Despite the names, you are not either of them. You simply bet on which hand will finish closer to 9, or that they will tie.
- Card values: aces count as one, cards two to nine count at face value, and tens and picture cards count as zero.
- Totals over 9: only the last digit counts, so a 7 and an 8 make 15, which is worth 5.
- Naturals: if either hand has 8 or 9 on its first two cards, the round ends there.
- Third cards: otherwise, fixed drawing rules decide whether each hand takes a third card. You never have to make that call; the game does it automatically.
A round takes seconds online, which is part of the appeal, and also a reason to keep an eye on your pace.
Player, Banker or Tie: which bet to make
| Bet | How it pays | Our view |
|---|---|---|
| Banker | Pays even money minus a commission on wins (check the table rules for the rate) | The best bet on the table: the drawing rules give the Banker hand a slight edge, which more than offsets the commission |
| Player | Even money, no commission | A close second. Fine if commission maths annoys you |
| Tie | A large multiple of your stake | Avoid. Ties are rare, and the attractive payout does not make up for how often the bet loses |
That is genuinely all the strategy baccarat needs. Bet Banker by default, Player if you prefer, and leave the Tie alone.
Baccarat myths to ignore
Baccarat attracts more superstition than any other table game. Land-based players fill in scorecards and look for "streaks" or "chops". Online, an RNG deals each hand independently, so patterns in past results tell you nothing about the next one.
Betting systems that raise stakes after losses carry the same flaw here as in roulette: they turn many small losses into an occasional large one without changing the house edge. Flat betting a fixed amount on Banker is dull, but it is also the most honest approach. Our bankroll management guide explains how to set a sensible stake.
Baccarat at Fair Go: what to expect
Fair Go's baccarat table is a SpinLogic Gaming title (formerly branded RealTime Gaming) with dealing handled by an independently tested RNG. You choose a chip, place it on Player, Banker or Tie, and deal. There is no chat with other players and no waiting, which makes it quick to play on a lunch break.
What it is not: a live studio game. Fair Go does not stream any dealer tables, so the squeeze-the-cards theatre of live baccarat is not available. If that is what you are after, our RocketPlay vs Fair Go comparison covers a site that does offer live tables, with the trade-offs explained. For everything Fair Go does offer, see the Fair Go games page.
Other card games to try if you like baccarat
If baccarat's low-decision style appeals, Fair Go has a few table games in the same spirit:
- Pai Gow poker: slow-paced, with many pushes, so a bankroll lasts.
- Tri Card poker: quick three-card hands against the dealer.
- Vegas Three Card Rummy: a simple low-hand game with an easy rule set.
- Caribbean Stud and Caribbean Hold'em: poker against the house with a few more decisions.
And if you want the most decision-heavy table game, see our online blackjack guide.
Baccarat, bonuses and cashback
Baccarat is one of the games casinos most often restrict when it comes to clearing bonus wagering, because the Banker and Player bets are close to even. Before playing baccarat with funds from code WELCOME (100% up to $200, five times, 30x deposit plus bonus), read the promo terms carefully.
For baccarat regulars, cashback is usually the better fit. Fair Go pays 25% instant cashback on busted deposits of $10 or more made without a bonus code, and 30% on weekends. You claim it through 24/7 support, and our cashback guide has the steps.
Responsible gambling
Baccarat's speed and simplicity can make an hour disappear. Decide on a number of hands or a time limit, as well as a budget, before you start. If gambling is causing you stress, Gambling Help Online offers free, confidential advice day and night on 1800 858 858.
Frequently asked questions
The Banker bet. Baccarat's drawing rules give the Banker hand a slight advantage, and even after the commission charged on Banker wins it remains the best bet on the table. Player is a close second. The Tie bet pays well but loses so often that it is best avoided.
No. Fair Go does not offer any live dealer games. Its baccarat is a digital SpinLogic table dealt by an independently tested random number generator. If live baccarat with a real dealer is essential, you will need a casino with a live studio.
Very little. Your only decision is which bet to place before the deal. The rules for drawing third cards are automatic. The useful skills are choosing the Banker or Player bet over the Tie and managing your stake size sensibly.
Check the terms for each promotion before you do. Casinos commonly restrict baccarat or count it at a reduced rate toward wagering. If you mainly play baccarat, depositing without a code keeps you eligible for Fair Go's 25% cashback on busted deposits of $10 or more.
The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits operators from offering online casino games to Australians, but individual players do not commit an offence. Fair Go is offshore, holds a Curaçao licence rather than an Australian one, and Australian regulators cannot help with disputes.