A Definitive Guide to Playing Online Baccarat

Baccarat Player

Live Dealer Baccarat Dragon Bonus

When it comes to playing Baccarat at online, you'll generally find that online casinos offer the Punto Banco game variant and while the table limits may vary from one venue to another, the rules and game play progression are generally the same.

While this baccarat game offers a 99% average return, which is very high for an online casino game, it does unfortunately get a little boring if you've been playing it for a long time. For this reason leading software developers like Microgaming and Playtech have added Live Dealer games which offer some interesting variants and features such as side betting options.

One of the most popular Live Dealer Baccarat variants is Baccarat Dragon Bonus. In this game players are required to place a wager in the main game before a side bet may be added and both bets must be made before any cards are dealt. Some online casinos restrict the Dragon Bonus side bet to three players per table only and these wagers are taken on a first come first serve basis.

The game then follows standard baccarat rules and game play progression wherein the live dealer deals the cards for the player and the banker according to standard Baccarat rules. Once the cards have been dealt and the game has been played the dealer then announces the winning hand ‐ Player or Banker ‐ as well as the margin of the win. The win margin is very important in the Live Dealer Dragon Bonus game as it forms the foundation of the side bet and its payout.

Here's how it works: If the winning hand has a natural then the resulting payout will be made at even money, regardless of the margin. In all other instances, the winning hand will have to have a margin of a minimum of 4 points in order to receive a payout. The larger the margin, the larger the payout will be. Payouts are as follows:

  • 4 points: 1 to 1 payout
  • 5 points: payout out at 2:1
  • 6 points: pays 4:1
  • 7 points: 6 to 1
  • 8 points: 10 to 1
  • 9 points: pays out at 30:1

If there is a tie in the side bet with both hands achieving a natural, these are treated as a push. All other ties are treated as losing side bets. The way that ties are treated in the game is what reduces the average return to player in this game.