Best live baccarat casinos in South Africa for 2024

Top 5 online casinos for live baccarat games

How does live baccarat work?

You no longer need to don your tuxedo and follow in James Bond's footsteps to enjoy this casino game. In live baccarat, the action is streamed in real-time to your device from a gaming studio. 

Professional human dealers manage the gameplay and bets and are available throughout to answer any questions via the chat feature.  

Why play live baccarat?

With all of us leading much busier lives, visiting a land-based casino is not always possible. Live dealer games bridge that gap for SA players who prefer an authentic casino experience but enjoy the convenience of playing from anywhere.

An immersive multi-camera format captures all aspects of gameplay in live baccarat, with close-up shots and slow-motion replays, meaning you don't miss any of the action.   

Unlike standard virtual baccarat, live dealer baccarat features a real banker, who you can chat with throughout the game. Finally, live casino games are great if you are concerned about rigging at online casinos, as you can watch the game happen in real-time.  

Rules of live baccarat

Live baccarat is played the same as standard online baccarat. As the player, you aim to beat the banker's (or dealer's) hand by having a hand value closest to nine but without exceeding this number. The game is played with eight decks of 52 cards, and you have three bet options: the player, the banker, or the tie.  

Numbered cards (2-9) hold their face value; an ace is worth one, while 10s and picture cards (jacks, queens and kings) are each worth zero. If the total value of a hand exceeds 10, the second digit is taken as the hand value. A natural win is when one hand holds a value of eight or nine points after the initial two-card deal.

Fixed game rules determine the order in which additional cards may be drawn (all done by the dealer automatically). You win by correctly predicting the winning hand.

The game is straightforward because, aside from choosing which bet to place, you don't have to do anything else. The dealer controls the gameplay.

Live baccarat odds & payouts

As with most casino games, odds and payouts for live baccarat will vary from operator to operator, so it's always worth checking before placing any bets.

The most common bets for live baccarat are the banker and player, offering nearly even money (1:1) payouts and favourable odds of 45.86% and 44.63%, respectively. Note that the banker has a slightly lower house edge than the player's hand.

If a round results in a tie, an 8:1 payout is usually awarded. While this is a high payout, remember that the odds are stacked against you at 9.51%.  

How to play live baccarat online

Before you can play live baccarat, you'll need to set up an online casino account. Choose from our list of recommended live baccarat casinos above. To create an account, you must provide details such as your name, date of birth, email, and home address and agree to the casino's T&Cs.

Sadly, no free live baccarat games are available at online casinos in SA due to how expensive the operating costs are, so you must deposit funds to play. Once that's done, here's how to start playing:

1. 1

   Select a table. The dealer will then deal two hands: one to the player and one to the banker. 

2. 2

   When the dealer indicates, choose to back the player, banker or tie, and the amount you wish to wager. 

3. 3

   Only once bets have been placed will the cards be revealed. You win if your hand is worth eight or nine and you predicted you'd have a higher hand. The exception would be if the banker's hand is of the same value or more. 

4. 4

   Draw a third card if your (the player's) hand value is 0-5. In this instance, if the banker's two-card hand is between 0-6, they also draw a third card.

5. 5

   Once the round ends, the dealer announces the winning outcome (the hand closest to nine) and awards payouts accordingly. 

Types of live baccarat games

The classic card game has evolved over the years, and there are now many different versions of baccarat, with different rules, side bets and more. Check out some of the most popular at SA online casinos below:

Single player baccarat

A traditional game of baccarat with one player against the dealer. VIP tables typically have single-player baccarat as an option.  

Multi seat baccarat

Most live baccarat games are multi-player. There are typically up to eight seats, and you can play more than one hand per round.

Mini baccarat

Mini baccarat is ideal for beginners as it offers a scaled-back version with simplistic gameplay and rules.

Baccarat Squeeze

Developed by Evolution Gaming, this variant adds a layer of suspense as the dealer slowly reveals their cards.

Speed baccarat

Speed baccarat is great for players who prefer faster gameplay, with betting periods lasting just 27 seconds (rather than 48 seconds).

Top 5 tips for how to win live baccarat

It isn't possible to predict the outcome of live baccarat with certainty, but you can follow these tips to improve your game:

1. 1

   Avoid the tie.

   Aiming for that high payout can be very tempting, but the tie bet is by far the riskiest option, with unfavourable odds of 9.51%.

2. 2

   Bet on the banker.

   With a 1:1 payout and odds of 45.86%, betting on the banker is the safest option. You may not bag the big wins, but your bankroll should last longer. 

3. 3

   Manage your bankroll.

   It is always advisable to set yourself a limit before you start playing to keep on top of how much you're spending.

4. 4

   Check the game rules.

   Like any other live casino game, there are many variants to the live baccarat game, so it pays to do your homework.

5. 5

   Gamble responsibly.

   You should always exercise safer gambling and never bet more than you can afford to lose. 

Live baccarat vs. traditional online baccarat

Take a look at how live dealer baccarat compares to its classic online counterpart:

Live baccarat casino bonuses

Online casinos in South Africa offer casino bonuses to attract new players or encourage existing players to return. You can use these bonuses to top up your account balance, trial different games, and access exclusive offers through loyalty programs.

If you want to register with a new online casino, check the sign-up offer and its T&Cs. Here are some of the top welcome bonuses at SA online casinos below:

Popular live baccarat software providers

Some of the best live baccarat providers include Pragmatic Play, NetEnt and Evolution. Each is known for delivering dynamic live casino gaming experiences featuring exceptional graphics, quality video, and a reliable platform for seamless transitions.

Evolution

As the leading provider of live casino games, Evolution offers a whole host of exciting live baccarat titles, including Live Baccarat Squeeze, Lightning Baccarat, and VIP variants.

Pragmatic Play

Pragmatic Play has become known for its innovative twists on classic table games. Check out its popular baccarat variants such as Mega Baccarat and Privé Lounge Baccarat.

Netent

NetEnt recently diversified its portfolio to include its first-ever live baccarat game. These include three speed baccarat tables.

Live baccarat on mobile

Thanks to HTML5 technology, you can now play live baccarat games on the go. Software developers have optimised their live dealer titles for mobile gaming, so all you need to do is log into your mobile casino account via your browser and start playing.

Alternatively, you can also download a casino app offering many bespoke features.

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Live baccarat FAQs

• Where can I play live baccarat online?

  Many live dealer baccarat providers offer live games to top online casinos in South Africa, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs.

• Is live baccarat legit?

  Yes, live baccarat is a legit online casino game and can be played safely at many top casinos.

• Can I play live baccarat for real money?

  To play live baccarat online in South Africa, visit the best real money casinos for all your favourite live casino action, slots and more.

• Can you play live baccarat for free?

  Like most live casino games, you can't play live baccarat online for free. You can enjoy the action in video demos on most live casino game sites.

• Is live baccarat better than online baccarat?

  It's hard to say whether live baccarat is better than online baccarat since it depends on personal preference. However, the live version does have the added social element.

• Can you count cards on live online baccarat?

  No, you can't count cards on live baccarat games. Casinos implement advanced techniques to stop players from counting cards.

• How do you win at live dealer baccarat?

  There is no easy way to win at live baccarat online. Still, we recommend you start by doing your research – check out the game variants and our casino reviews to make better-informed decisions.

Simon Young

Verified expert

Global content writer

Simon has extensive experience in the industry. A former national newspaper journalist turned iGaming expert, he now heads up a leading media agency, which brings researched and informative gambling content to its readers the world over.