Description
Going slightly under the radar when it comes to online casino games is Mini Baccarat from the likes of Play ‘N Go, but this great variant of one of the most popular table games around is wonderfully fun to play.
In the mini version of this game, eight card decks are in use. Just as with the main game, the decks are shuffled and dealt by a dealer and if you find the right version, this game can be greatly entertaining.
Versions of mini baccarat are available to play on desktop sites, as well as via iOS and Android-powered smartphones and tablets, so you can enjoy the game even while you’re on the move!
How to play
The game is ideal for those who already know how to play regular baccarat. In both the original and the mini version, players only have a few decisions to make – namely how much to stake and whether to bet on the bank, on the player, or on a tie bet.
When you bet on the bank the house collects 5% commission on any money won, with winning bets paying 8:1. With the mini game, eight decks of cards are used with the dealer shuffling and placing them in the shoe.
How to Play Mini Baccarat
Players make their decisions on how to bet, as above, before the ‘no more bets’ announcement from the dealer. At this point, the game will start with four cards being dealt from the shoe. The two hands these cards form are called the player’s hand and the banker’s hand.
The first four cards are taken alternatively; the first and third dealt are given face down to form the player’s hand, while the second and fourth remain face down until the player’s hand is revealed.
As regular baccarat players would expect, of the count of either hand adds to 8 or 9, which is called a natural, no more cards are taken from the shoe. If the bank doesn’t have a natural, players can draw a third card on totals of 0,1,2,3,4 and 5, or stand with 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Playing Mini Baccarat online is easier to get to grips with than in real life. You can play for free to learn the ropes, and for very small stakes initially as you dip your toe into what is a fascinating casino table game.
Return to Player
The RTP in Mini Baccarat, depending on which site you choose, tends to be around 98%. With just a 2% edge going to the house, this is one of the most appealing games for online casino players although the amounts you could win depend entirely on luck, and how much you stake to begin with.
Verdict
Baccarat was always a more popular game in land-based casinos than online, but Mini Baccarat has proven to be a real hit with online and live casinos in recent times.
With a strong RTP and some easy-to-learn rules, mini baccarat is something we’d recommend you get involved in to change up your online play.
Casino 
