Blackjack and baccarat are always among the live dealer games at the best online casinos. But which should you play? When it comes to baccarat vs. blackjack, the two games have about as many differences as they do similarities. Below, we compare their odds, which is more difficult to play, and other factors that should be considered when putting baccarat and blackjack head to head.
Blackjack Odds vs. Baccarat Odds
| Card Game | House Edge |
|---|---|
| European Blackjack | 0.39% |
| Switch Blackjack | 0.58% |
| Classic Blackjack | 0.61% |
| Face Up 21 (Blackjack) | 0.85% |
| Baccarat (Bet on House) | 1.06% |
| Baccarat (Bet on Player) | 1.24% |
| Baccarat (Bet on Tie) | 9.5% |
It is essential to compare real money baccarat and blackjack odds to know which game gives you a better edge. Finding a lower house edge helps push the probabilities in your favor, and you have a better shot at seeing a payout.
If you bet on the dealer, baccarat offers a super low house edge of around 1.06%. With most versions of blackjack, the house edge can go as low as 0.5% if you use basic blackjack strategy. With certain player-friendly rules, like the ability to double down after a split or playing with one deck instead of six, blackjack has a house edge as low as 0.35%.
However, if you wager on the player in baccarat, the house edge increases slightly to 1.24%. Meanwhile, betting on a tie in baccarat has a much higher house edge of 9.5%. The tie bet can be enticing due to the higher payout potential, but it is less likely to hit. Experts recommend avoiding the tie bet and focusing on the banker or player bets.
In sum, blackjack wins the odds battle. It’s not by much in the short term, but 1.06% vs. 0.5% can add up in the long term.
Blackjack and Baccarat Difficulty Levels
Baccarat is definitely easier to play than blackjack. The game requires only two decisions: what you’re wagering on and your bet amount. You can wager on the banker, player, or tie, and whatever happens after that is up to the casino gods. Here’s how to play baccarat.
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By contrast, with blackjack, you’ll make several decisions based on your hand and the version of blackjack you are playing. You must select your bet, see your cards, and choose if you want to hit, stand, split, double down, surrender, and so on. Blackjack requires more thought due to the game’s rules and the cards you receive. Again, correct blackjack strategy can boost your overall win potential.
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Baccarat is the way to go if you are looking for the easiest table game option. Here’s how to play blackjack, though, as it’s definitely the more popular game.
Blackjack and Baccarat Variety
Baccarat and blackjack come in various formats at online casinos. As mentioned, blackjack offers more variety, with many options at top online casinos that include Live Dealer Blackjack, Unlimited Blackjack, and a high-limit table. You’ll also often find varieties of blackjack online that aren’t present at land-based casinos. Many of these variants feature unique side bets such as 21+3 and Perfect Pairs.
While online casinos often offer live baccarat with plenty of buy-in variety to meet all players’ wagering needs, the options are usually limited to one or two tables. For the most part, you will only find traditional baccarat tables with Baccarat Dragon Bonus.
Accessibility of Blackjack vs. Baccarat
Both blackjack and baccarat are accessible at all of the online casinos in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. In addition, players who don’t live in a state that has legalized real money online casinos can find these table games at most sweepstakes and social casinos. This includes both virtual tables and live dealer tables for both games.
However, online casinos offer far more versions of blackjack than baccarat. While a site may have one or two baccarat tables, the blackjack section can reach 10+ tables at times. If you want more of a selection, blackjack is your game. Just to illustrate the point, online casinos such as BetMGM and Caesars Palace Online Casino have around a dozen versions of blackjack but just two versions of baccarat. Blackjack is definitely the more accessible game.
Conclusion
In the end, blackjack is definitely a more popular card game than baccarat. However, both games have appealing features for different players. If you’re into simpler games or would like to transition from the simplicity of slots over to table games, baccarat may be a better choice.
If you’re into diving deep into strategy and making choices that may affect others at your table and create more of a sense of community, blackjack is your game. All in all, both are excellent games to play at any online casino of your choice.
If you need help choosing a place to play blackjack or baccarat, check out our page about online casinos. There, you can learn about our favorite options and claim welcome bonuses to start your play on the right foot.
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