Live Baccarat

Written by Dean McHugh
Dean McHugh
Dean McHugh is a full-time writer with more than 20 years of experience in the iGaming industry. Specialising in casino reviews, slot analyses, and sportsbook evaluations, he delivers clear, engaging, and insightful content for both industry professionals and casual players. Over the past four years, he has contributed extensively to leading iGaming comparison websites.
, | Updated: Fri 29 August 2025

Baccarat is another popular card game that can be found in numerous brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online. Due to its huge popularity, it can also be played in real time with a live dealer, giving players the opportunity to enjoy an extremely authentic experience. Unlike Blackjack, Baccarat doesn’t require any particular skills or strategy and can easily be won with the right amount of luck. It is a game of chance, which is why many players initially refrained from playing it online, as they doubted the fairness of the random number generator in use.

However, as technology rapidly develops, more and more online casinos now employ cutting-edge systems that allow players to enjoy Live Baccarat. They can do so from the comfort of their home and, at the same time, experience a very genuine game while resting assured that the outcome is not predetermined. Thanks to the live-streaming video, players can witness every action of the dealer, providing the proof they need that the game is truly a matter of luck. Live Baccarat is growing significantly in popularity because it offers online users a number of advantages that they cannot enjoy in land-based casinos.

Special Features in Live Baccarat

As already indicated, Live Baccarat offers special features that cannot otherwise be enjoyed when the game is played in a brick-and-mortar casino. To take full advantage of them, it is advisable to familiarise yourself with their specifications, subtleties and usage. Being as well prepared as possible for any game helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures you can fully enjoy it, even if it is one, such as Baccarat, that relies mostly on luck.

Pair Side Bets

Because the game is played live, players can take advantage of the Pair Side Bets feature. This option allows you to place additional bets on either the banker or the player drawing a pair. These two extra betting possibilities make the game even more exciting, enabling online players to enjoy entertainment that feels as if they were in a land-based casino.

There are also other side bets available when you play Live Baccarat. These include Player Bonus, Banker Bonus, Either Pair and Perfect Pairs. The Player Bonus or the Banker Bonus is won when the hand you have chosen wins by at least four points with a natural 8 or 9. Depending on the difference between the two hands, you can enjoy a payout ranging from 30:1 to 1:1.

Perfect Pairs is a side bet in Live Baccarat that enables you to wager on two identical cards being dealt to either the player or the banker. If a perfect pair appears, players who have placed this side bet will enjoy a payout of 25:1. If both the player and the banker receive identical cards, the payout is 200:1.

If you decide to play No Commission Baccarat with a real dealer, you may also have the opportunity to place the Super 6 side bet. This additional wager is won when the Banker triumphs with a value of six. The payout for this side bet is 15:1.

Live Baccarat Features

Choice of Roads

The Choice of Roads feature allows players to view the outcome of every round and, therefore, to keep track of their wagers with ease. There is no need to recall the size of your bets each time, as the Choice of Roads feature simply allows you to check the game history whenever necessary. Moreover, keeping track of your wagers can be difficult, especially when the game lasts a few hours. This feature is extremely convenient, giving players the opportunity to manage their money and control their spending at any point during the game.

Lightning Baccarat

A special type of Live Baccarat available at Live Casinos powered by Evolution Gaming is Lightning Baccarat. While the standard game is fun when played with a real dealer, this variant incorporates a special feature that can make your experience even more rewarding.

In addition to the standard payouts from the main and side bets, players can also benefit from a randomly selected Lightning reward. In every round, between one and five cards are randomly selected and charged with generous multipliers. Thanks to this feature, you can enjoy multipliers of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 8x on your payout.

Live Baccarat Squeeze

While this is a fun feature available at some land-based casinos, it was not previously included in online baccarat. Thankfully, Live Casinos now offer several Live Baccarat versions that include the squeeze feature. Although this dealer skill does not directly affect the outcome of the game, it is quite entertaining to watch the result slowly unfold before your eyes.

Because Live Casinos employ professional dealers, you can be sure that the squeeze is always performed flawlessly for your complete entertainment online.

Live Chat Feature

Another feature found in most live games is the live chat option. It allows players to communicate easily with the dealer and other participants. This creates a highly authentic gaming experience, and even though the game is not played in a brick-and-mortar casino, players still have the chance to socialise. One of the things many players miss when they play online is human interaction. With the introduction of live chat and live-streaming video, it is now possible to bridge that gap and create a personal connection with others.

Most Famous Live Baccarat Variation – Punto Banco

Because many baccarat variations appeal to a wide range of players, they can also be found in most live casinos. One famous version that baccarat fans can enjoy in real time with a live dealer is Punto Banco. The main difference in this variation is that it allows players to place bets on the Dealer’s hand. They can also place another optional wager – the Tie bet – but before making this decision, it is always best to consider the pros and cons of these additional bets.

Punto Banco Baccarat

Dragon Tiger

Another very popular baccarat variation is Dragon Tiger, which is available at quite a few Live Casinos. In this version, both sides – the Dragon and the Tiger – are dealt only one card. The game is extremely easy to play; you simply pick which card will be higher and win the round.

Often, players will have the chance to make a Tie side bet when playing Live Dragon Tiger. This option allows you to wager on both the Dragon and Tiger cards being of the same value, irrespective of their suit. When there is a Tie, half of the main bet is returned, while the other half is taken as a commission. Those who have placed the Tie side bet receive a payout that varies according to the software provider offering the game.

There is also the opportunity to place a Suited Tie bet, which offers a generous payout when the Dragon and Tiger cards are of the same rank and suit.

Pros & Cons of Live Baccarat

Like any other casino game, Live Baccarat has its advantages and disadvantages, so players should take the time to consider them to gain a clear idea of what the live version offers. One of the biggest advantages of Live Baccarat is that it allows players to watch the banker deal the cards in real time. This is especially important because Baccarat is a game of chance; being able to witness the gaming process plays a crucial role in establishing trust. Thanks to the live-streaming technology, players can rest assured that the game is not fixed, which creates a sense of fairness and security.

The presence of a real dealer also enables one very specific feature of Baccarat. When playing at a Live Casino, you can enjoy several variations of the game that incorporate the squeezing of the cards. Although the squeeze does not affect the outcome, it is a fun way to enjoy a realistic baccarat experience in the comfort of your own home.

To make the baccarat experience even more authentic, Live Baccarat games include a chat feature. It allows you to interact with the dealer and fellow players, making your at-home casino session more enjoyable and engaging.

While baccarat is popular in brick-and-mortar casinos, many players find its standard online version less attractive because of the absence of a real dealer. Thankfully, the live-dealer version of baccarat offers a far more realistic experience, making the game extremely popular at Live Casinos.

Pros & Cons of Live Baccarat

Another great perk of Live Baccarat is that it can be played wherever you go. As long as you have a stable data connection, you will be able to stream the game on any mobile device. Even on a smartphone or tablet, you will still be able to control the game with ease and enjoy a wonderful baccarat experience on the go.

Baccarat is a fairly simple game and the betting options are straightforward. In addition to the standard bets, however, players can also take advantage of various side bets while playing different live-dealer variations. Some of these options offer very generous payouts if players are lucky enough to make successful side bets.

Many casino fans know that baccarat is a classy game, usually favoured by high-rollers. Although online you can find plenty of tables with reasonable limits, there are also VIP Live Baccarat tables that allow very high betting limits. This enables players who enjoy riskier bets to revel in an authentic VIP experience from the comfort of their homes.

Another benefit worth mentioning is that every reputable live casino ensures a high level of protection for its customers’ data and privacy. For this reason, it is essential to choose a well-established live casino to fully enjoy the game without concerns. Moreover, when Baccarat is played live, many online casinos offer special deals and appealing bonuses for their users. The live version of the game is also compatible with most mobile devices, depending on the chosen live casino.

One potential drawback is that, because live games are a relatively new development in the online gaming world, it is possible that all of the Live Baccarat tables will sometimes be full. Live games have grown significantly in popularity, and it will take some time for live casinos to adapt to the current high demand. For this reason, it is a good idea to have an alternative live casino to turn to in such cases. However, players should ensure that they choose only well-established sites so that their personal data is always protected efficiently at any point.

Conclusion

Live Baccarat gives players the opportunity to enjoy a classic table game in the most convenient place for them, in real time with a live dealer. Thanks to live-streaming video and the live chat feature, they can experience an authentic game without leaving the house. Furthermore, with advanced technologies in use, their sensitive information always receives the required level of protection. The special features available only in live games are definitely worth trying, as they can significantly enhance the level of entertainment.