Baccarat Variations

Learn about the Top baccarat variations & RTP

No casino is complete without the baccarat game. A classic card game with Italian roots, baccarat boasts simple gameplay, exciting bets and side bets, and an excellent reputation. In addition, there are colorful baccarat variations you can play in top casinos in New Jersey. Know your baccarat options and their rules before you play.

Baccarat variants, RTPs, and different special features

Different providers offer Baccarat and playable in different variants like most casino games. Before you register and play, check out the operator’s available variants, their specific rules, and any helpful information on betting strategies.

House edge in Baccarat

Refer to the table below for a top list of online baccarat variants in New Jersey, their RTP, and unique features.

Variation Name RTPSpecial features
Chemin de Fer98%Players’ option to ‘go bank.’
Punto Banco98.94The players don’t get to decide on the third card. However, it is dealt with anyway, and the croupier or the dealer announces the winner.
Baccarat Banque98.4%One of the players will play as a dealer for the whole game.
No Commission Baccarat98.94%No commission for the winning Banker’s wager.
EZ Baccarat98.98%The winning Player and Banker bets pay even money
European Baccarat98% on averageThe house always acts as the Banker
American Baccarat98.76%Uses six to eight decks of playing cards
Baccarat Squeeze98.94%The dealer slowly squeezes the card to reveal the value.
Dragon Tiger96.27%Players bet on the Dragon or Tiger.
Mini Baccarat98.76%Boasts smaller table but with exciting play
Speed Baccarat98.94%Each round plays for just 27 seconds.
Super Pan 998.8% for the Player’s betThis game uses a deck of 36 playing cards.
Three Card Baccarat95.7% for the King’s BonusBanker and Player’s hands get three cards.
Midi Baccarat98.76%The betting table can accommodate up to nine players.
Lightning Baccarat98.76%Players can win multipliers for each winning hand of up to 8x.

Most popular Baccarat variants 

Online baccarat offers a colorful selection of variants from different software vendors. The aim in all these variants remains the same: the player bets on the banker, the player, or a tie.

Depending on the baccarat variant played, you can also place side bets. As such, players must check first the baccarat variant available and the rules on the number of decks, the drawing of the third card, and open side bets. Knowing these baccarat rules can help you develop the right strategy and cut down the house edge.

Chemin de Fer 

A popular variant in France, Chemin de Fer, lets you play as the banker. If you act as the banker, you play against other bettors. You can find these betting tables in top NJ casinos that can seat up to 14 players.

Punto Banco 

Punto Banco is the most popular variant to play in most online casinos. It adopts the rules of the classic baccarat game and pays 1:1 for the winning player’s bet.

Baccarat Banque 

Baccarat Banque works like the Chemin de Fer with one slight difference- the house always holds the Bank. This baccarat variant boasts an RTP of 98.4%.

No Commission Baccarat  gamplay
Learn more about how to play No Commission Baccarat 

No Commission Baccarat 

Players will not pay the standard 5% commission on the winning Banker’s wager, with a house edge of 1.46%.

EZ Baccarat 

EZ Baccarat plays like the regular baccarat game but takes away the commission from the winning Banker’s bet. A winning tie bet here pays 9:1.

European Baccarat 

In European Baccarat, the player decides whether to stand or draw on 5, and the banker can choose whether to get a third card or not. In the RNG version, the house always acts as the banker.

American Baccarat 

Baccarat Squeeze  gameplay
Baccarat Squeeze 

American Baccarat is also called Punto Banco in many American casinos. Here, only two hands are dealt- the player’s and banker’s hands. This baccarat variant uses six to eight decks, with an RTP of 98.76% for the Habanero game.

Baccarat Squeeze 

In Baccarat Squeeze, the croupier slowly squeezes the playing card to reveal its value. This baccarat variant is prevalent in many live casinos, with at least 98% RTP.

Dragon Tiger game play
Learn what providers make Dragon Tiger 

Dragon Tiger 

Dragon Tiger is a simple baccarat variant where you bet on whether the Dragon or Tiger has the best point.

Mini Baccarat

Mini Baccarat follows the rules of the essential online blackjack, but it offers a smaller table with a maximum of seven players.

Speed Baccarat

Available in many live casinos, Speed Baccarat plays out in 27 seconds each round. This baccarat variant uses eight decks of playing cards, with Live Speed Baccarat from Evolution as the most popular in top NJ casinos.

Super Pan 9

Super Pan 9 is a popular blackjack variant in US casinos that uses a deck of 36 cards.

Three Card Baccarat

Three-card baccarat is a popular variant in many Asian and Macau casinos. Only one deck of playing cards is used in this baccarat game, and both the Banker and Player get three cards.

Midi Baccarat

Players can play Midi Baccarat on a smaller betting table with up to nine players. Midi Baccarat players with the most significant bets can view the cards.

Lightning Baccarat

Lightning Baccarat is an electrifying baccarat variant from Evolution. Players can enjoy a substantial payout in this casino game thanks to random multipliers of up to 8x. Evolution applies a 20% Lightning Fee for each Player’s total bet.


What are the different Baccarat tables? 

In top NJ casinos, you’ll also find baccarat variants based on the sizes of the betting tables. There are currently three baccarat tables: the Big Table, the Mini, and the Midi.

Mini Baccarat infographic
Learn how to play Mini Baccarat

Big Table Baccarat 

It’s the enormous baccarat betting table in many casinos, wrapping around almost full circle and accommodating up to 14 players at a time.

Mini Baccarat 

The Mini Baccarat table is the most popular layout in casinos, accommodating up to seven players in each round.

Midi Baccarat 

The Midi Baccarat tables can seat up to nine players.


Which baccarat variation should you choose? 

The availability of different baccarat variants works in the players’ favor. If there are plenty of options, then one can pick a specific game that suits one’s playing style and risk appetite based on payouts and RTP.


Best variations of Baccarat regarding its profitability 

One essential factor to consider when comparing the types of baccarat games is their potential profitability. You can check this by looking at the payout schedule and theoretical RTP.

Baccarat variants with the lowest house edge 

You can look at the game’s house edge to increase your chances of winning massive payouts. The lower the house edge, the higher your chances of collecting a payout. You can also try using a baccarat strategy to help cut back the house edge. Here are our top baccarat variants with a lower house edge:

  1. Punto Banco. With an RTP of 98.4%, Punto Banco boasts the classic rules available in different betting limits.
  2. No Commission Baccarat. It’s an excellent option for players who don’t want to cover the house fees.
  3. Baccarat Squeeze. This baccarat variant features a theoretical RTP of 98.4% and is playable in many live casinos.

Baccarat variants that payout the most 

Another option to improve your profitability is to look for online baccarat variants with more significant payouts. Check out the baccarat payouts, particularly for the lucrative side bets.

  1. Baccarat ‘Super Six‘ A winning Super 6 in this game pays 12:1.
  2. EZ Baccarat. There’s no commission for the banker’s bet, and it pays even money. In addition, this baccarat variant features two side bets, Dragon 7 and Panda 8, which pay 40:1 and 25:1, respectively.

Best baccarat variants that suit my level of Player 

With several premium blackjack variants to play, how do you pick what’s best for you? If you’re still on the fence, you need to go back to your skills level and risk appetite. Then, choose a baccarat game based on your experience, bankroll size, and risk level.

The best baccarat variants for beginners

For beginners, the online baccarat variants with lower house edges are recommended. For example, you can play Punto Banco, which uses the standard baccarat rules. Dragon Tiger is another simple yet exciting variant that allows you to bet on just two outcomes-the Dragon or Tiger.

Baccarat variants for advanced players 

European Baccarat gameplay
Learn how to play European Baccarat 

Interestingly, baccarat is playable in different variants that slightly vary in rules, the number of decks, and the availability of side bets. Baccarat Squeeze, Lightning Baccarat, and Speed Baccarat are best for advanced players.

These games feature exciting betting rules, and the game becomes more entertaining due to some changes in the way it is packaged and played. For example, a Speed Baccarat round takes 27 seconds, and Lightning Baccarat boasts multipliers of up to 8x!


Baccarat variations you should avoid 

Online baccarat is a classic casino game that boasts simple bets and rules. However, if there are types of baccarat games to avoid, then these are games that aren’t suitable for your skill level or experience. For example, avoid online baccarat variants with a high house edge if you’re just starting.

Frequently Asked Questions

For example, in most baccarat variations, you can bet on the Player, Banker, or a Tie.
Today's most popular baccarat variations are Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, and No Commission Baccarat.
Different types of baccarat games will feature varying theoretical player returns. But most of these baccarat games boast an average RTP of 98%.