Whilst the origins of baccarat are disputed, there’s one thing we can all agree on – baccarat, like other social casino games, has been a source of entertainment and joy for many for centuries.
A game of luck and chance, online baccarat also requires strategy, which makes the gameplay exciting, and action-packed.
So, as the results of each round are down to chance, useful baccarat tips can help you get optimum enjoyment out of the game.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some top baccarat tips that can level up your baccarat experience.
1. Take Time to Understand the Rules
Before starting any live baccarat game, one of the key baccarat tips is to make sure you understand the rules. So, here’s a quick summary to refresh your memory.
- Select your play
- Two cards are dealt to the players and the banker
- The cards are revealed
- The value of the cards in each hand is combined. The closest number to nine wins
- If the value exceeds nine, it resets to zero
- If the value is less than five, a third card is drawn
If you want more of a detailed breakdown of the rules of baccarat, then head to the how to play baccarat and baccarat rules guides for all you need to know before getting stuck in.
2. Get Your Head Around Different Baccarat Betting Systems
There are several different systems you can use for managing your bankroll while playing baccarat – or, indeed, any online casino game, such as:
- Martingale
- Fibonacci
- Paroli
- Labouchere
- D’Alembert
There’s more, but you can find out more about all these baccarat strategy tips in our exclusive guide.
3. Think How You’re Going to Play
If you’ve read our article on baccarat strategy, you are aware of the house edge and probabilities when you play baccarat.
We could just tell you the following:
- Always place your play on the banker’s hand to win
- Be wary of tie plays
- Play games with fewer decks in play
And all of those could actually help you. After all, choosing to play the banker gives you the smaller house edge there is, tie plays are the least probable and more decks mean more volatility to the game and a higher house edge.
However, what we advocate for is that you know the risks and rewards associated with each type of play.
You might know that more decks in play could mean fewer rewards, but it makes the game more exciting. Or you understand that the house edge is best for you if you play the banker, but don’t want to be a one-trick pony.
Whatever you decide to do, remember: it all depends on luck. If you know how it all works, you won’t be caught by surprise.

4. Watch the Shoe, But For Fun Only
Some players swear by trying to recognize patters and sequences in a game of baccarat, thinking this could give them an advantage compared to other players.
After all, if they do notice a sequence, they’ll know what to do next.
However, it isn’t proven that watching the shoe for patterns is actually a successful strategy, because baccarat is a random game of luck.
This leads us to our tip to you: you can definitely keep track of the games and see if you find something that repeats itself over time. However, you should do it just for fun.
It likely won’t help you win and will distract you from managing your bankroll with a specific baccarat system, for example.
5. Try Out Different Variations to Find Gameplay you Enjoy
There are several types of baccarat games, including live baccarat and mini baccarat. In regular baccarat, players have more control over when their cards are turned over. However, in mini baccarat, the dealer always handles the cards. This makes the gameplay faster and more streamlined.
In general, regular baccarat is also more formal than mini baccarat. The informality and speed of mini baccarat can be a draw to those who prefer the faster pace. However, live baccarat may be preferred by those who have more traditional tastes.
So, another one of our baccarat tips is to try your hand at a range of different styles of baccarat to see what style of gameplay you prefer. Some games like Grand Bonus Baccarat have bonus prizes or bonus rounds, too, which can be a fun alternative to the classic games.
6. Remember, it is a Game of Chance
And last, but by no means least, remember that baccarat is entirely down to luck. Yes, tips on baccarat and baccarat strategy tips are pretty cool to try out and test. However, ultimately, the outcome of each round is determined by chance.
With this in mind, take it for what it is – a form of entertainment – and don’t put pressure on yourself. The most important of all baccarat tips is to set your limits and stick to them. In other words, set yourself a budget for your plays, and recognize when it’s time to stop. After all, we’ve all heard the phrase ‘quit while you’re ahead’, right?
So just don’t chase losses.
You’ll also find it useful to try out a range of different playing strategies and styles before you focus on the one that is best for you. Then, hone in on your fave and master it (whilst still having fun).
Test Out These Tips at McLuck
Speaking of trying out different baccarat tips and strategies, as a social casino, McLuck allows you to play for free. This means you can try out as many different game styles and ideas as you want, with less pressure.
And there you have it – just a few key baccarat tips that can help level up your plays and have more fun on the best baccarat games around. All that’s left to do is check out the range of baccarat and other social casino games at McLuck, and see whether chance is on your side or not.