- Twitch
- Kick
- CS2
- Dota 2
- LoL
- More Games
- Esports Betting
- Esports Betting Sites
- Social Betting Sites
- Sports Betting Sites
- Online Casino
- Esports Betting Tips
-
When thinking about the most classic casino games, baccarat always comes to mind. Alongside poker and blackjack, this iconic game is one of the most played casino games and for good reason. It is truly an attractive blend of elegance and social aspects.
With sweepstakes casinos becoming all the more popular in the US nowadays, you can play baccarat online for free and without having to leave your home. Not only that, but you will also get the feeling of being in a real live casino as you can play live with real people. Sounds good, right? Then keep on reading to learn everything there is to know about it.
To truly understand baccarat and how it became what it is today, a high-roller favorite, we’ll start from the beginning. In other words, this is a quick history lesson. Legend has it that baccarat was invented by a man named Felix Falguiere in the 1400s.
Inspired by ancient Etruscan rituals, he created a game where the number 9 is king. It was named “baccara” at first, which means “zero” in Italian. I like how the name itself is a nod to how face cards and tens are worth nothing in this game.
From Italy, the game traveled to France, where it became a hit among the aristocracy. We’re talking castles, chandeliers, and powdered wigs. French nobles loved it. In fact, King Louis XV was rumored to be obsessed with it.
Knowing this, it is not difficult to conclude why it’s associated with luxury. Fast forward to the 20th century, and baccarat was no longer just a royal pastime. And with the rise of James Bond movies and the pull of Vegas glamour, the game became what it is today: iconic.
Yes, it is a fancy game with an even fancier background. By now, a natural question that probably came to mind is, “how to play Baccarat?”. Despite all the fancy associations, it is very simple to play. Here’s a basic overview of how the game is played:
Other than that, you need to remember that you are not meant to play the hand, but rather predict which hand will win.
To make it even easier to understand, there are still a couple of things that I should mention before playing the baccarat casino game. One of them being the card values. They go as so:
| 🃏 Card | 🔢 Value |
|---|---|
| 2–9 | Face value |
| 10 | 0 points |
| J | 0 points |
| Q | 0 points |
| K | 0 points |
| A | 1 point |
If this is confusing, it might be better to look at an example. Let’s assume you get a 7 and a 6, your total is 13, but only the last digit counts. So your hand is worth 3.
Again, the objective is to predict which hand is going to win before the game starts. Once it begins, both hands receive 2 cards. If either the Player or Banker gets a total of 8 or 9 from the first 2 cards, it’s considered a “natural win”.
The Banker handles this part automatically, but here’s all you need to know. If the Player has 0–5, they get a 3rd card, while the Banker’s decision depends on both hands’ values and the Player’s third card.
You don’t have to memorize any of this. That’s the beauty of baccarat gambling, the dealer does the hard stuff. You just place your bet and enjoy the game. Despite that, it wouldn’t hurt to know a few baccarat strategies.
Since poker has variants such as Texas Hold Em’ and Omaha, to name a few, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that baccarat does as well. Take a look at my top 3 baccarat variants that have great twists and even fancier names.
You don’t just play baccarat just for fun like you would play sweepstakes slots; there’s more to it than that. Playing it is an experience in itself. Although nothing can match the feeling of playing it in person, sweepstakes casinos do a pretty good job of giving that authentic baccarat feeling. So, why is it so appealing?
Firstly, it’s appealing because of the look and feel. If you’ve walked into a casino and seen a roped-off table with velvet chairs and sharply dressed players, then you’ve found the baccarat table.
Everything about it screams class, from the slow, suspenseful card reveals, formal dealers in tuxedos to soft lighting and hushed conversations. On top of that, imagine high-stakes betting chips being casually tossed on the table. If you’ve played in a live traditional casino setting or seen the James Bond movie, you’ll know what I’m talking about.
However, if you’ve never played baccarat online for free at sweepstakes casino and you’re wondering if it could match the experience and authenticity, the answer is probably not, but it comes pretty close.
Even though it’s not a team game, baccarat builds community. But how? Think about it if everyone makes predictions on one of two hands, Player or Banker, that’s shared excitement. In other words, wins and losses are felt together.
Also, in some baccarat variations, players take turns acting as the Banker, adding layers of interaction and prestige.
As mentioned above, thanks to its high-stakes history and pop culture appearances, baccarat is often associated with luxury, power and refined taste.
It’s a game that lets you channel your inner James Bond or King Louis XV without needing a tux or a red cape with white fur that’s fit for a king (though it doesn’t hurt). Even if you play it online at sweepstakes casinos, you still have the option to do so, depending on how seriously you take it.
Yes, nothing can compare to the feeling of playing a game of baccarat online and in-person, but honestly, that’s true for most things when you compare online and real life. So let’s see how the two stack up against each other.
| ✨ Feature | 🧍♂️ In-Person Baccarat | 💻 Online Baccarat |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Elegant, social | Convenient, quiet |
| Stakes | Usually higher | Wide range (low to high) |
| Availability | Limited tables | 24/7 access, multiple variants |
| Pace | Slower, more ritualistic | Faster, more streamlined |
| Social Element | High (especially in Chemin) | Moderate (unless live dealer) |
Many sweepstakes casinos offer live dealer games that combine the best of both worlds. Streamed in real-time, they offer the feeling of a real casino with the convenience of playing at home.
Since it is a popular game that players can’t get enough of, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it was able to make a successful transition into the world of online gaming. In fact, baccarat online is more popular than ever despite the strict gambling laws that prohibit online gaming in the US.
Yes, it sounds contradictory and even impossible at first, but thanks to the online sweepstakes casinos model, it is possible to play baccarat online in nearly every US state. What’s more, you can do it without ever having to deposit real money if you don’t want to.
Here’s what you need to know about how sweepstakes casinos work and why they are legal in almost every US state. Firstly, think of sweepstakes casinos as sites where you can play your other favorite casino-style games by using their virtual currencies such as:
And the best part? Like I said, you’ll never be obliged to buy anything to play and can play just for fun. To get started, most sweepstakes sites give you a generous amount of free Sweeps Coins and Gold Coins when you register. Also, you can get more through various giveaways, promotions, etc. Finally, you have the option to buy Gold Coins and get Sweeps Coins as a reward if you run out and don’t want to wait another day to get free ones.
All things considered, since you’re not using real money and never have to buy anything, sweepstakes casinos have surpassed the strict gambling laws in almost all US states.
By now, you know how the game is played, why players love it and how online sweepstakes casinos function. Since there are a lot of them, it might be difficult to find the right one for you. That’s why I thought it best to share with you my top 5 picks. This list is in no particular order and each brings a lot to the table.
First on our list is Real Prize, it’s an interesting sweepstakes casino that has over 500 games to choose from, with 350 being slots, in addition to baccarat and sweepstakes casino games. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that slots take center stage here since it is a sweepstakes casino after all.
However, one of the reasons why it’s on this list is because of its live baccarat table. If you’ve never played in it before, then lucky you. You’ll receive 100,000 Gold Coins and 2 Sweeps Coins just for creating an account. One thing to bear in mind is that redeeming SC is possible only after you meet certain requirements.
Next up, Stake.us. It is by far one of the most recognizable sweepstakes casinos. Maybe you’ve seen their logo on Twitch or Drake playing, as he is sponsored by Stake.us. It’s earned its rep thanks to a diverse library that doesn’t include only slots but also live dealer games and classic table games. On top of that, you can play Stake Originals, exclusive games that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
And if you’re new here, there’s a nice surprise waiting. Just sign up and use the promo code “JAXONSOCIAL” to receive 260,000 Gold Coins, 55 Stake Cash, and a 5% rakeback bonus without having to make a deposit. On the other hand, if you’re not new, there are lots of ways you can get free GC and SC such as the daily login bonus, social media giveaways and various other promotions.
Sometimes you stumble onto a platform that feels just right from the start. McLuck is that kind of platform. Ever since it opened its doors in 2023, it’s been nothing short of amazing. Like the previous two sweeps casinos on our list, it offers many casino-style games to choose from, think jackpots, Megaways, game shows, blackjack, baccarat and roulette.
Of course, slots take the spotlight again as there are over 1000 to choose from. But what about bonuses? When you register, you will get 7,500 Gold Coins plus 2.5 Sweeps Coins to get you started. It even features a baccarat app if you’re interested in playing on the go.
Looking for something a little more refined? Say no more! Jackpota is great because of its focus on live casino games, partnering with industry giants like Playtech. If you’re a fan of live baccarat, their Grand Bonus Baccarat table might just become your new go-to.
Of course, it has a good sign up bonus. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be on this list. Similar to McLuck, when you register, you’ll score 7,500 Gold Coins and 2.5 Sweeps Coins off the bat. Be sure to grab it and experience the Grand Bonus Baccarat table for yourself.
One thing’s for sure: its game catalog is stacked. Over 1,700 titles are waiting. There are slots, Megaways, and, yes, baccarat, both virtual and live. In other words, there is something for everyone. Warm up with a couple of spins, then move on to play baccarat with real people.
About bonuses, WOW Vegas has really good ones. When you sign up, you’re immediately gifted 1.75 million WOW Coins and 35 Sweeps Coins. Don’t let WOW Coins confuse you; it’s their alternative to Gold Coins. That’s hours of play, right from the jump, without having to ever make a purchase if you don’t want to. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?
Last but not least, we have Sidepot.us. It’s one of the newest and trending sweeppstakes casinos currently. As soon as it launched in January this year, I wanted to see what it was all about and I wasn’t disappointed. It has over 1300 games to choose from including slots, original in-house games, Megaways, and not 1, but 3 baccarat variants.
As far as their welcome bonus is concerned, it’s alright. You can get 10,000 Fliff Coins and 1 Fliff Cash right out of the gate. I love that it doesn’t use Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, but instead has its own versions that work the same way.
As you can see, baccarat is more than a card game, it’s an experience that has stood the test of time. From kings to pop culture, the elegance of the game, the shared gasps at the table, and the social aspect of the game are what kept it alive for over 500 years and will continue for many more to come.
It doesn’t matter if you’re playing at a high-stakes table in some fancy European casino or playing at one of the sweepstakes casinos from our list; when you’re betting on the Player or Banker, you’re part of something iconic.
Yes! Thanks to sweepstakes casinos. Instead of playing baccarat online using real money you can play at Sweepstakes Casinos in almost every US state without having to purchase anything if you don’t want to. These sites use virtual currencies like Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, allowing you to play legally and even redeem real money prizes.
Not at all! Despite its glamorous reputation, baccarat is surprisingly simple. If you’re just starting out, sweepstakes casinos are a perfect place to learn since you can play for free and take your time getting the hang of it.
That really depends on what you’re looking for! All the sites in our Top 5 list offer a solid baccarat experience with something unique to offer.
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
