Types of Baccarat at BetMGM Canada: How They Work & How To Choose

New players could be forgiven for assuming there’s only one type of baccarat. But like in other online casino games, from slots to blackjack, baccarat has many variants designed to entertain players of all experience levels. Learn more about what types of baccarat are included in the BetMGM Canada casino games collection.

What Different Types of Baccarat Bring to the Table

There are two main genres of online baccarat: single-player and live dealer. The former uses a random number generator (RNG) to shuffle the deck and determine which cards are drawn. In contrast, live dealer games are run by a human dealer who shuffles, deals, and entertains multiple players.

Among these two overarching genres, several subgenres have developed from the most popular game mechanics. Some mechanics originated in land-based casinos hosting baccarat, while others are only possible online with digital baccarat software.

Note that one of the reasons baccarat is so popular is the balanced odds and low house edge. However, some baccarat variants may alter these stats, resulting in a higher house edge but also offering greater win potential. Always check the “info” section of an online baccarat title to understand the odds at play.

Classic Baccarat

The baseline for online baccarat is the classic ruleset. These deliver a predictably high return to player (RTP) with uncomplicated payouts. This is the type of baccarat most often played in land-based casinos, where a low-stakes version called mini baccarat is also played. For players new to baccarat in Canada, the traditional rules are the perfect starting place.

NHL Baccarat

* Please note that the return to player (RTP) rate for this casino game may differ from one jurisdiction to another.

Jump onto the rink with this BetMGM-exclusive title. This is straightforward traditional baccarat gameplay with a hockey theme, full of the logos of famous NHL teams. This is a great beginner title to learn the ins and outs of basic bets.

Speed Baccarat

For the impatient or those with deep pockets looking to burn through hands, speed baccarat is a variant of this online casino table game that greatly increases the hands-per-minute ratio of baccarat. With fast, no-nonsense deals, players will need to stay focused in order to keep up with the pace of play.

BetMGM Speed Baccarat

* Please note that the return to player (RTP) rate for this casino game may differ from one jurisdiction to another.

Put the speed in speed baccarat with 15-second hands. This live dealer title also lets players sit out a hand or two to catch their breath if the gameplay is moving too quickly. All players sit at an exclusive BetMGM-themed table only open to BetMGM players. And take note that it’s a great title for more experienced baccarat players, as bets start at $5.

Baccarat Squeeze

The “squeeze” is a dealing method in baccarat where the dealer slowly curls the lip of face-down cards to hide the card’s value for as long as possible while building suspense. Online baccarat squeeze games implement this feature. Squeeze deals take longer than normal but add more tense, nail-biting action to the game.

Baccarat Squeeze by Evolution

* Please note that the return to player (RTP) rate for this casino game may differ from one jurisdiction to another.

This is a live dealer title with tons of players wagering on both hands — the dealer squeezes whichever hand has the most money riding on it. As well, this title includes the “red envelope” mechanic, in which the payout of the tie, P bonus, or B bonus bets can be randomly increased for a single round.

First Person Baccarat

First person table games use pre-recorded video and elevated graphics to create a more realistic player experience, all while allowing players to play solo against an RNG. Many of these titles also add in baccarat side bets to amp up the gameplay.

First Person Lightning Baccarat

* Please note that the return to player (RTP) rate for this casino game may differ from one jurisdiction to another.

In addition to glamorous pre-recorded video segments, this title also adds the “lightning” mechanic that software developer Evolution is known for. Lightning can strike up to five cards in the deck, adding payout multipliers up to 8x. Bet on a winning hand that contains a lightning card to boost the payout, with more than one multiplier multiplying each other for a maximum of 512x.

Live Dealer Baccarat

Live baccarat adds immersive aesthetics through a live-streamed camera feed from a real studio. A human dealer handles all the cards themselves on-camera, while other human players crowd in to play baccarat elbow-to-elbow, with a live chat so they can socialize. Live dealer games rank among some of the most popular online baccarat in Canada.

MGM Grand Live Baccarat

* Please note that the return to player (RTP) rate for this casino game may differ from one jurisdiction to another.

Join the crowd at the MGM Grand, live from Las Vegas. High rollers will appreciate the higher-than-average max betting limits, while new players can bet for as little as $1, so this appeals to players of all bankrolls. Be sure to plan each bet ahead of time to keep a balanced baccarat bankroll for extended play sessions.

Unique Baccarat Variants

Beyond all of the above baccarat subgenres, there are still plenty more titles to explore. Many of these feature a unique one-off game mechanic that makes that particular title stand out from other baccarat games.

Seotda Baccarat

* Please note that the return to player (RTP) rate for this casino game may differ from one jurisdiction to another.

Seotda Baccarat is played using a Korean Hwatu deck, consisting of only 20 cards with its own unique hand ranking system. For example, several of these are “bright” cards which offer a chance at a large payout when a pair of bright cards is dealt. This title also offers identical odds and payouts on banker and player bets.