Online baccarat NZ – Best real money casinos with baccarat
With online baccarat, nine’s the number and there are no overly-complicated rules to spoil your fun, making it a well-loved game among Kiwi players.
This expert guide reveals some of the best real money variants, as well as where to find free play baccarat online and top hacks that show you how to win.
Let’s kick you off with our curated list of the best baccarat casinos online you’ll find in NZ.
Best online baccarat sites in April 2024
Play free baccarat online now
Learn the basics of online baccarat by practising on free demos now. Nail your strategy and then play for real money to experience the real thrill.
Best baccarat game variants – trending titles
There are plenty of baccarat variants to keep the thrills coming. Below, you’ll find a list of the most popular baccarat variants in NZ.
Punto banco
The most commonly played of baccarat variations, with the rules in their classic format. Players bet against the banker while trying to get as close to nine as possible without exceeding it. All other baccarat rules are a variation of this one.
European baccarat
This version allows you to stand or to draw another card if the hand is valued at five. The banker can also draw a third card at any point.
Mini baccarat
Perfect for beginners, this is a smaller version of other baccarat tables. You can still bet on player, banker or tie but the stakes are lower, making it ideal for starter bankrolls.
No Commission baccarat
When playing at a baccarat online casino you’re required to pay 5% commission on the banker’s bet. Here, this rule is scrapped.
Baccarat banque
In this game type you’re playing against the banker, rather than another player. The banker is whoever puts down the largest wager and remains appointed until they’re out of the game.
Chemin de Fer
This real money baccarat variant originates in France. Unlike other types, where the casino is always the banker, players alternate between being the banker and dealing cards. Players can always stand or choose another card, making strategy very important.
Macao
Each player is dealt two to three cards. Players can only bet on the player, but not on the banker. Anyone exceeding a score of nine is automatically out of the game.
Dragon Tiger
This online baccarat game is much simpler than most other versions. Player and banker are dealt one card each, and the one with the higher value wins. Players can bet on a card or a tie.
Live baccarat
Live baccarat casinos allow you to play against a real dealer and other human players, instead of assigning all other roles to the computer. Wins are not determined by Random Number Generation (RNG), but by the other players’ actual hands.
Features of top online baccarat casinos in New Zealand
Wondering what features to expect at the best online baccarat casinos? Our experts have compiled a table with their findings to help point you in the right direction.
🃏 No. of baccarat variants | 8 - 10 |
❤️ Popular titles | Punto Banco, No Commission Baccarat, Macao |
🎁 Blackjack casino bonuses | Cashbacks, match deposits |
📱 Blackjack apps | Android, iOS |
⚙️ Software providers | 2+ |
⭐️ Top NZ blackjack site |
How we rate the best baccarat sites
When our experts test the top online baccarat casinos, they follow a specific set of data-driven criteria. Below, we explain each criteria in depth, so as to help you understand how we decide which is the best online baccarat site.
Range & quality of online blackjack games
Finding the best baccarat casino games is one of our experts’ topmost priorities. If a site only offers one type of baccarat table, it’s safe to say that players who are seriously into the game won’t be satisfied.
We also want to see a range of stakes and buy-ins to accommodate all kinds of players, from the casual to the serious ones. Because the online baccarat game is popular with high-rollers, exclusive tables are also important.
TonyBet casino fulfils all these criteria, offering a higher-than-average mix of 23 tables including Baccarat Pro with a max bet of NZ$6000. Together with Rizk casino, which offers 20+ tables and all the variants mentioned above, it scores very highly on our list of best online baccarat casinos.
Software providers
When you play baccarat online, you need to make sure that your chosen site gives you access to the best baccarat software providers. This is why our experts will only award a high score to a casino if it offers a reasonable range of options in this regard.
The average for NZ players would be two to three providers. However, sites like TonyBet go beyond this, offering a selection of online baccarat from the likes of Evolution, Platipus, Pragmatic Play, Swintt, 1x2 Gaming, NetEnt, PG Soft, Vibragaming, OneTouch and others. This places it consistently within our top scorers for best baccarat casino.
Baccarat casino bonuses & tournaments
Baccarat bonuses are not yet common, but our experts do expect enthusiasts of the game to be rewarded. Thus, we look for sites where baccarat contributes to the wagering requirements of a bonus. Anything between five and 10% is considered reasonable in the industry, with some NZ sites like Quickwin online casino opting for the higher average of 10%.
However, the highest scorer in this regard has to be the Wildz casino welcome bonus, which offers a 50% weighting, making the welcome package one of the best baccarat casino bonuses available to Kiwi players. If a site also has specific baccarat offers and tournaments, then we score it even higher.
Baccarat casino apps
Many players in New Zealand prefer to play baccarat online from a mobile device, so we give a lot of importance to the mobile responsiveness of a casino. We like to see sites that offer dedicated apps compatible both with iOS and Android, like JackpotCity. Scoring even higher is Betway casino, which offers a specialist live baccarat casino app that is very well-rated by players.
If a site has no app but uses HTML5 technology, like Greatwin and Wildz for example, we will still give it a high score and you will be able to play all your favourite baccarat games via the normal mobile casino site without any loss of quality.
Safety & game fairness
We only recommend a baccarat online casino if our experts are satisfied that it offers a secure environment to Kiwi players on all fronts. We first make sure that the site is licensed by a reputable gambling regulator such as the Malta Gaming Authority or Curacao eGaming. Next, we check for SSL encryption that keeps your personal and financial data safe.
Extra points go to sites, like JackpotCity, which have their games independently audited for fairness by organisations like eCOGRA. We also want to see responsible gambling tools, such as bet and loss limits, that are easily accessible like at QuickWin’s.
Game lobby experience
How easy is it to find your favourite baccarat online games at your favourite casino? This is an important question, because if the site has a complicated or messy lobby you’re going to waste a lot of time on navigation.
We put a high premium on a clean and simple design with clear menus and an efficient filtering system. Extra points to sites like Rizk, where you can filter games by software provider, game types, newest titles, alphabetical order and more.
Overall casino rating
Of course, your baccarat casino online experience depends on a lot more than what we have described above. The best sites are those that offer a high level of service across the board, with multiple payment options that are secure.
We also look for a fair cashier policy that allows players to cash out winnings fast, such as BetandPlay casino which deliver within 24 hours. Efficient customer support is likewise important, with our preferred option being 24/7 live chat.
It’s also important for a site to offer an excellent range of games that goes beyond baccarat as most players find variety very important. All our NZ casino reviews take every one of these features into account for the final score, so as to offer you a well-rounded picture of what you can expect from your gambling experience.
Online baccarat casino offers to claim now
Our highest-rated real money baccarat casinos come with the most generous offers that give players’ bankrolls that extra push. All our recommended online casinos offer good welcome packages, ongoing promotions and very fair terms.
Be aware that online baccarat won’t always be eligible for these offers, due to the very low house edge of between 1.06% and 1.24% for banker and player bets respectively. Because of this we prefer sites that offer specific baccarat casino bonuses, although these are not so easy to find.
Welcome bonus
Match deposits between NZ$700 and NZ$1,500 are the most popular NZ casino welcome bonuses. If you’d like to use your bonus cash on baccarat games make sure the game contributes towards the wagering requirements. You’ll find a list of percentages among the bonus terms, with weighting varying from 5% to 25% and, in rare cases, even 50%.
Cashback bonus
In this case you’ll be given back a portion of the losses you made while playing online baccarat. Most sites make the percentage that you’re given back dependent on your spend. Winawin currently has a weekly cashback offer on all live casino games, including baccarat. EnergyCasino, on the other hand, offers up to 25% cashback, but only for the first time you play the live baccarat.
Baccarat tournaments
Baccarat can be even more lucrative if you take part in a tournament with big prize pools. Betway casino, for example, regularly runs a Las Vegas League tournament on live tables, including baccarat. Every NZ$1 earns you points, and prizes are awarded according to the highest earners, with the prize pool reaching NZ$4,400.
Popular software for real money baccarat online
The standard of a baccarat online casino is tied closely to the quality of software. Below, we bring you our experts’ top pick of providers who are renowned for this game.
Free vs Real money baccarat
Should you play free baccarat, or should you commit your bankroll from the start? This largely depends on your confidence and playing style, but to help you make an informed decision we’ve included a list of pros and cons to both.
| Free baccarat | Practice your strategy without risking your money | Your bankroll is fully protected | Familiarise yourself with side bet rules | You can’t cash any winnings | Less variants to try |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real money baccarat | The thrill of a real money wager is stronger than when playing for nothing | You stand a chance of winning real money | You can take part in tournaments | You can lose your bankroll | Different rules for different variants can mess with your game |
| Free baccarat | Real money baccarat |
|---|---|
| Practice your strategy without risking your money | The thrill of a real money wager is stronger than when playing for nothing |
| Your bankroll is fully protected | You stand a chance of winning real money |
| Familiarise yourself with side bet rules | You can take part in tournaments |
| You can’t cash any winnings | You can lose your bankroll |
| Less variants to try | Different rules for different variants can mess with your game |
How to play baccarat online – the rules
It’s all about getting as close a hand to nine as possible, right? Yes, but in reality there’s a bit more to understand about the betting systems if you want to make the most of your experience at online baccarat casinos.
If you’re still getting to grips with the basics of the game, let’s take a look at the main rules before we delve into the details of bets, odds, payouts and more.
- 1Follow the links from this page to your chosen online baccarat casino.
- 2Pick a bet – player, banker or tie.
- 3Two cards are dealt out to you and the banker.
- 4If either hand reaches the sum of eight, no more cards are dealt. If your score exceeds nine, you drop the first digit.
- 5A third card is dealt out only if either hand adds up to five.
- 6Whoever holds the hand closest to nine without exceeding it, wins.
Knowing the rules is important if you’re going with the real money baccarat option. Above you’ll find the main steps you need to follow for a standard game, but if you’d like more detailed information take a look at our full guide on how to play baccarat.
Baccarat odds and payouts
When calculating your odds and online casino payouts, remember that in baccarat the cards two to nine have a face value and the aces translate to one. Tens and face cards equal zero.
You can place three types of bets in a baccarat game online, backing the player, the bank or a tie.
| Bet type | Odds | Payout ratio | House edge |
|---|---|---|---|
Banker | 45.86% | 1:1 | 1.06% |
Player | 44.62% | 1:1 | 1.24% |
Tie | 9.52% | 8:1 or 9:1 | 14.36% |
Can you win real money playing baccarat online – expert tips
Playing baccarat for real money involves a measure of luck and skill. While we can’t influence Lady Luck, we can certainly help you hone your skills so as to maximise your chances of winning.
Below, you’ll find our experts’ choice of top tips to make the most of your baccarat online experience.
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Learn the different betting systems
We will go into more detail about this topic below, but make sure that your chosen online baccarat strategy matches your knowledge and your bankroll.
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Ditch the superstition
The best betting systems are built on logic and structure, not on superstition and imagined patterns.
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Keep to your preset budget
Decide for how long you’d like to play, divide your bankroll accordingly and stick to the plan.
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Avoid betting on a tie
This bet comes with the most expensive house edge of 14.36%.
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Bet on the banker
The house edge is at its lowest, making the 5% commission still worth it. If you have the bankroll, keep on betting on the banker until they lose.
Baccarat strategies – can they help you win?
Many players swear by pursuing their favourite online baccarat strategy. If you learn how to use these betting systems well, they can benefit you too. Always remember that the strategies work best on a player bet, as this pays out 1:1. Moreover, be wary of strategies that require a large cash outlay if you’re on a small bankroll.
The Martingale
In the Martingale strategy, you start by betting a base amount, say NZ$1. If you lose, you double your previous bet. If you win, you go back to your base bet. The idea is that a win will eventually happen, recovering all previous losses plus a profit equal to the base bet.
La Bouchère
With this strategy you start out by deciding how much you’d like to win. You then divide this amount into a sequence of numbers that add up to your goal. Your bet for each hand should be the sum of the first and last numbers in this sequence. If you win a bet, you remove those first and last numbers from your sequence; if you lose, you add the lost bet amount to the end of your sequence. This idea is to help you reach your winning goal by adjusting your bets based on previous outcomes.
1-3-2-6
In this strategy you follow a sequence of 1, 3, 2 and 6 bets. If you win you move on to the next stage, and if you lose you start over. The goal is to take advantage of winning streaks while minimising losses.
1-3-2-4
Similar to the 1-3-2-6 strategy, but without the expensive 6x wager. If you lose, you restart the sequence. If you win, you continue progressing until you start over, securing small, consistent wins at a low risk.
One Sided
With this online baccarat betting strategy you choose either the banker or the player to bet on and stick with that bet throughout the game. You only switch sides after a predetermined number of losses. The idea is to ride out streaks while taking advantage of game fluctuations and waiting it out if you’re on a losing streak.
Paroli
In the Paroli strategy, you start with a base bet and double your bet after each win. After three consecutive wins or a loss, you go back to the base bet. The strategy aims to exploit winning streaks while minimizing losses.
Fibonacci
Here, your bet follows the Fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc.). After a loss, move one step forward in the sequence; after a win, move two steps back. The idea is to recoup losses over time, although a long losing streak can be costly and this strategy is more suited to those with a hefty bankroll.
d'Alembert
In the d'Alembert strategy you increase your bet by one unit after a loss and decrease it by one unit after a win. The aim is to arrive at a point where the number of wins and losses would have balanced out, theoretically resulting in a profit or minimal loss.
Should you play online baccarat for real money?
Now you know exactly what the best online baccarat casinos can offer, are your ready for some real money action? Our expert considerations about the pros and cons can help you decide.
Pros
- You can win actual money.
- You can play against real life dealers and players.
- NZ players can legally play at the best online casinos.
- You won’t need to pay tax on winnings.
- There is a vast range of variants to explore.
- You can pick up bonuses and participate in leaderboards.
Cons
- You have to deposit real money to play.
- You need to understand the rules properly.
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Real money baccarat FAQs
Can you play baccarat online for real money?
Yes, you can put down real wagers at our list of recommended real money baccarat casinos. These casinos have all been tested by our team of casino experts and have been found to satisfy our standards of safety and security, game variety and more so as to guarantee a top-notch gambling experience to NZ players.
What online casino has baccarat?
The vast majority of our top online casinos offer online baccarat, but we recommend that you start out at %currentPartner%. This casino has been scored particularly high by our experts, offering an excellent range of variants, with enough stake options to keep both low and high rollers happy.
How do you play baccarat online?
Playing baccarat is very simple, as the only goal is to come as close as possible to nine. All you need to do is follow the link from this page to your chosen casino and choose which variant you prefer. There are a few other rules to keep in mind. For a more detailed, step-by-step guide check out our section about how to play online baccarat.
Which is the best baccarat?
While the best baccarat variant depends largely on your knowledge and playing style, if you’re a beginner we suggest starting out with Punto Banco, which is the most classic version of the game. Once you familiarise yourself with its rules, then you can start experimenting with different baccarat variants.
What are the odds for baccarat online?
The odds for baccarat depend on whether you bet on the banker, the player or a tie. The banker’s bet offers the best odds of 45.86%. The player’s bet returns odds of 44.62%, while the tie bet has the lowest odds of 9.52%. Check out our section about baccarat payouts for more detailed information.
Is there any real strategy to baccarat?
Yes, many players use betting systems like the Fibonacci, Paroli and d’Alembert to great success. If you want to learn more about them, go straight to our section about baccarat strategies. Always make sure you pick a strategy that matches you bankroll power.
Written by Ramona Depares
Ramona Depares is an award-winning journalist focused on cultural and entertainment related content. Based in the Mediterranean gaming hub of Malta, she has taken a deep interest in gambling related news since the earliest days and has seen the global landscape evolve. Ramona specialises in the legal and regulatory aspects of gaming across multiple jurisdictions, with specific interest in NZ and US markets. She is also a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction books.
