The Differences between Online and Land-Based Baccarat Tables: Pros and Cons
If you want to sit down at a table in a Las Vegas casino and play some James Bond-style gambling, baccarat might be the perfect game for you.
Baccarat is a fairly versatile game, which is one of the most revered among casino visitors. Along with blackjack, poker, slots and roulette, baccarat covers a range of games that can be found just about anywhere you play.
While live and online versions of baccarat are generally not too different in terms of winning odds, there are many pros and cons to each of them that you should be aware of.
Live Baccarat
Pros
Increases competitive spirit
Playing with a real dealer can be a lot of fun. In particular, it helps to create a huge competitive spirit among you and others at the table, which can translate into satisfaction (if you win) or other unforgettable emotions.
Players are equally competent
Baccarat is played in almost every casino around the world and does not require any special skills or technique. This means that it is safe to assume that you are the equivalent of your player, unlike other card games. Having extensive knowledge of the game will not help you win at baccarat, as the game is played on a fair basis.
This is a social game
Baccarat was created to be played and entertained in the company of like-minded people. If you decide to play the game in an online environment, you may not like it as much as a live game. This is because you will be playing against a machine and not against real people, and you will have almost no opportunity to participate in the game.
Minuses
Limited choice
In a casino, variety attracts customers. The rules of live baccarat are quite complex, which means you have limited betting options: banker bet, player bet, and tie bet. Each of them has its pros and cons. Other than the initial bet, playing live baccarat is completely independent of you as the dealer takes care of all the work.
Pay casino commission
The banker bet is the best way to bet on baccarat as it gives you a house edge of just 1.06%. However, for this you will have to pay a commission to the casino. Each winning bet is subject to a 5% commission. If you played $100 per hand, then you pay $5 for each win.
Online Baccarat
Pros
Lots of amazing offers
Unlike a regular land-based casino, many online casinos offer amazing bonuses and promotions purely for choosing a game on their site. This is the primary way these companies can successfully increase engagement with their sites. Typical rewards include deposit or welcome bonuses, bonus game payouts, and premium reloads.
Remember to always use any bonuses when they become available!
After creating an account with a verified and trustworthy site, all you need to do is add funds to start diving in and start playing baccarat anytime, anywhere! It’s a lot easier than dressing up, driving to a land-based casino and then risking public humiliation if you lose!
Ideal for low limit players
Some casino games will require large initial deposits before you can start playing. If you don’t have a large amount of money to wager but want to try your hand at playing baccarat, online baccarat is a great option as it allows you to bet the minimum amount of money for a potentially huge win.
Minuses
Compromised security
If you haven’t done your research properly, chances are that you have signed up with a scam website. This may result in your personal information, including your bank details, being used elsewhere, which could put you in an undesirable financial position.
Lacks atmosphere
Many people claim that playing baccarat online kills the feeling of being in a real land-based casino. Yes, this may be true for some, but it all depends on the person who is playing the game. To compensate for this, many online casinos have begun introducing more exciting features to baccarat games to help players feel at home.
Conclusion
There is no clear winner in the debate between live baccarat and online baccarat. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, however, not everyone likes to play baccarat online like in a regular casino, and vice versa. And that’s completely normal!
Instead, it all depends on the type of gameplay you want, the type of bet you want to place, and the amount of money you can bet.
If you are looking for more atmosphere and a social environment, then playing baccarat with other real people might be the way to go. If you are only looking for welcome bonuses and want to play lower stakes, online baccarat seems to be more suitable.