Playtech Baccarat Game Review
Playtech Live Baccarat is just one exciting category in a whole host of other live casino games offered by this game developer, not to mention their extensive range of online games and slots. Following the Punto Banco Baccarat format (typically seen as the ‘traditional’ form of baccarat), Playtech has used their live gaming experience to create a high-quality and immersive stream with different titles including Progressive Baccarat, Golden Dragon Baccarat, and VIP Baccarat alongside the standard 7-seat offering. Established in Estonia in 1999, Playtech launched themselves into the live casino gaming scene in 2003, mainly focusing on the Asian market, among which baccarat is a much-loved favourite. However, in recent years with their state-of-the-art studios in Latvia and Romania, a growing European audience has been drawn in by the excitement and gameplay offered by their top live baccarat games. Keep reading for our full review of Playtech’s Live Baccarat games.
Playtech Baccarat Games
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How to play Playtech Live Baccarat
All of Playtech’s Live Baccarat tables run the Punto Banco version of baccarat commonly viewed as the industry standard because if a game does not specify a version players can comfortably assume that Punto Banco is being played. Despite initially seeming far different to other casino table games, Baccarat is a simple game, that has a handful of similarities with blackjack.
Live Baccarat can be played by completing a few simple steps. First, you will need to load up the online casino of your choice which hosts Playtech Live Baccarat. All Playtech games are optimised for play on all devices including smartphones. Once you enter the game, you should familiarise yourself with the settings (as the gameplay is live-streamed), user settings, camera angle and streaming settings, and the UI (user interface) options.
The live dealer helps guide proceedings and will interact with players and answer questions via the live chat feature. At the start of the round, you will be asked to place your bet. In the Punto Banco version of baccarat, unlike the Chemin de Fer variant, you are betting against the dealer rather than another player. Make sure to choose a wager that sits within your established betting limits, and be sure to set a budget and time limit for your session.
In Baccarat you aim to achieve a winning score of 9 (or beat the hand value of the dealer). Each of the numbered cards has its respective numerical value, while Aces count as 1, and face cards have a value of 0. To start with, both the banker and the player will draw two cards, and based on the value displayed will have the option to stand, draw another card, or proclaim a winning score. Only the last digit of the total value of the hand is used in your score, so, for example, a hand total of 17 would have a value of 7.
There are a variety of drawing rules which the dealer has to follow (similar to blackjack), but these can change from game to game so make sure to always check the rules for your chosen live baccarat game.
There are also side bets that can be placed in Playtech Live Baccarat to add to the experience, however, we will cover these in more detail in our side bets section a bit further on.
Different Live Baccarat Games
Playtech offers several different types of live baccarat for players to choose from. These range from their standard 7-seat baccarat to deluxe VIP offerings. We have outlined each unique Playtech Live Baccarat Game below.
Multitable Baccarat
Multitable Baccarat has room for 7 players around the highly-trained dealer working as the banker. As there is not just the banker, but other players betting remotely alongside you, this creates an energetic and lively experience that is the next best thing to visiting a casino to play baccarat in the flesh.
Baccarat Squeeze
Baccarat Squeeze is all about immersing players in the experience of the game. Playtech has really gone all in on the camera angles in this live casino game to focus on the squeeze, helping to build the tension and create a thrilling experience for those around the virtual table, proving popular with players all around the world.
Bet on Baccarat
Those looking for a different type of baccarat experience should consider playing Bet on Baccarat. Instead of betting on the outcome you bet on the game of baccarat and the odds of certain actions occurring. There are 33 different types of bet to make. This table caters to an audience that might be more familiar with odds betting rather than card games.
Speed Baccarat
Speed Baccarat from Playtech is the perfect live baccarat game for people gaming on the go, mobile players, and the multitasking pros among us. This is because Speed Baccarat is played at a faster pace, meaning players can enjoy the game while partaking in other activities like checking emails or browsing social media. There are different versions of Speed Baccarat depending on the language or pace of play.
Playtech Live Baccarat Features & Side Bets
Playtech has added several side bets to their live Baccarat offerings, designed to spice things up and add further engagement for players within the game. This even includes their unique Egalite side bet new to the baccarat scene.
Either Pair
This side bet is placed on both the banker and the player at the same time. It pays out if either of them gets matching cards in their initial 2 card hand at a payout of 5:1.
Player Pair and Banker Pair
Rather than betting on both sides of the table, players can choose to place a bet on just the player or the banker on whether they have a matching pair in their 2-card hand. The payout for a successful player pair or banker pair side bet is 11:1.
Perfect Pair
Adapted from Playtech’s blackjack games, Perfect Pair awards a payout of 25:1 should either the player or the banker’s first cards be matched suits.
Big Bet
This side bet wins if the total of the hand wagered on is either 5 or 6.
Small Bet
This side bet wins if the total of the hand that is being bet on is 4.
Egalite Bet
Egalite bets are popular in UK casinos as well as in Playtech Live Baccarat games. This side bet option pays out if there is a correctly guessed same-number tie between both the player's and the banker’s hands.
Live Baccarat Payouts
As all of the Playtech Live Baccarat tables use the Punto Banco standard, the paytable for a standard game with an 8-deck shoe is as follows:
| Bet Type | House Edge | Payout |
| Player wins | 1.24% | 1:1 |
| Banker wins | 1.04% | 0.95:1 |
| Tie | 14.36% | 8:1 |
Additionally, here are the payouts for the various side bets found within Playtech’s Live Baccarat games:
| Side Bet | Payout |
| Player Pair | 11:1 |
| Banker Pair | 11:1 |
| Either Pair | 5:1 |
| Perfect Pair | 25:1 |
| Small Bet | 3:2 |
| Big Bet | 2:1 |
| Egalite | 8:1 |
Languages and Times
The main spoken language used in Playtech Live Baccarat is English, however, you can also find Mandarin being spoken in their Philippines-based studios for the Asian market. The user interface (UI) can be configured in multiple languages which include English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, and Spanish.
Live Baccarat operates 24/7, meaning that players can join the table at any time to suit their schedules. The game is fully optimised for play on all devices including smartphones operating on Android and iOS.
Key Highlights
Professional and friendly real dealers that interact with players using live chat.
Punto Banco gameplay with a wide range of side bets.
Accessible and easily customisable UI which can be configured to multiple languages.
Compatible with PCs and mobile devices including iOS and Android.
Statistics and history from previous rounds are available to players.
Fantastic purpose-built studio and HD live streaming with multiple camera angles.
Playtech Live Baccarat Final Thoughts
Overall, Playtech Live Baccarat is a solid part of the Playtech Live Casino portfolio. Rather than just sticking to the basic format, Playtech has elevated their baccarat games with a range of side bets, including unique wagers such as Either Pair and Egalite.
With its state-of-the-art studios in Latvia, Romania, and the Philippines, Playtech ensures that its live streams are of top quality, including special squeeze variants of the game with a true camera focus on the pivotal gameplay.
The only downside is for players looking to partake in other versions of baccarat, such as Chemin de Fer, as currently Playtech only offers the industry standard Punto Banco variant.
Rating: 7.5
Playtech Live Baccarat FAQs
These are the questions that we get asked most about Playtech Live Baccarat.
