Two of the world’s most popular classic casino card games that people like me seem to enjoy playing more than any other traditional favourites are baccarat and blackjack, and I think that one of the main reasons why they remain such a staple is that they are both super easy to play.
I also think that the fast-paced nature is what makes them both so appealing and the fact that you can now play at any time of the day, from almost any location, provided you are of legal age in your country to play on legally permitted baccarat and blackjack sites.
If you are new to baccarat and blackjack and have seen them both being played in person, during certain scenes from some of your favourite HD movies, or on video streaming sites like YouTube, you may have noticed how similar they are.
However, despite the similarities, they are both completely different. To determine which might be the right card variant for you, on this page, I will start by pointing out the five major differences that set them both apart.
If you are still undecided by the end of this page, then you might like to try them both out to see which is a better fit for you.
Table of Contents
A look at the main similarities and differences between baccarat and blackjack
We can start by taking a quick look at some of the main similarities and differences between baccarat and blackjack, and then I will reveal the names of some of my favourite titles I can recommend checking out, whether you are a rookie or seasoned pro.
Differences
- Blackjack and baccarat have entirely different rules, and therefore, the betting options are completely different
- In baccarat, for example, you can choose between three different betting options at the start of a new round (player, banker, or tie). In blackjack, the aim is for you to try and form a winning hand and must decide to take insurance, hit, or stand
- In blackjack, you can use basic strategies when being dealt certain hands to influence the outcome of any given round. Even card counting can help. In baccarat, there’s nothing you can do to improve your chances of predicting the outcome
- In blackjack, the winning hand is closest to 21 points, and in baccarat, it’s 9 points
- Blackjack allows you to play multiple hands at a time, and baccarat doesn’t
Similarities:
- Blackjack and baccarat are both card games that are regarded by many as the two easiest to learn
- In both games, the winning hand must reach as close to a specific number as possible
- You don’t need to beat other players to win
- The house edge in both games is relatively low compared to almost all other casino table & card games
- Blackjack and baccarat are widely available to play online at hundreds of fully licensed and regulated websites and at land-based venues. A complete list of trustworthy blackjack and baccarat sites on sites such as Bet365, Mr Frank and HighBet, to mention just three of the thousands of featured sites can be found here on this page: askgamblers.com/casino-games/online-baccarat
- You can play computer-generated and live dealer baccarat
- They are classed as games of skill, meaning winning and losing boils down to pure luck (however, there are several betting and responsible gambling strategies that can be applied to both)
If you are looking for something super easy, I would suggest starting with baccarat because there are fewer rules to remember and fewer betting options. In other words, mastering baccarat on the app won’t take as long as mastering blackjack.
Also, if you want to squeeze more rounds into a typical hourly session, I would also suggest baccarat because rounds are usually over much quicker than most blackjack rounds.
What are the best baccarat and blackjack games to play in 2024?
If you are new to playing either, then I would suggest playing computer-generated baccarat games from award-winning software providers like Games Global, Play’n GO, Playtech, and Relax Gaming, to name a few.
Some of my favourites are European Blackjack Multihand (Play’n GO), Baccarat Gold from Games Global, Blackjack Perfect Pairs (Realistic Games), Classic Blackjack Gold (Games Global), American Blackjack (Pragmatic Play), and Baccarat from Playtech.
If you want to take your experience to the next level, try live dealer blackjack or baccarat from Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, On Air Entertainment, or Playtech.
My favourites are Live Super 8 Baccarat from Pragmatic Play, Live VIP Baccarat from Playtech, Live Lightning Baccarat, Live XXXtreme Lightning Baccarat, and Live Prosperity Tree Baccarat (all from Evolution).
Don’t forget that you must be of legal age to play any of these hit titles. Most computer-generated baccarat and blackjack titles are usually available to try in the free-play demo mode before playing in the real money mode. In contrast, live dealer baccarat and blackjack are seldom accessible in the practice mode.
Final thoughts
Once you have figured out which one you want to try first, baccarat or blackjack, the next thing to do is find a suitable website with a decent selection to explore. Only play on licensed and regulated sites because they will be owned and operated by trusted companies.
Their baccarat/blackjack content will be supplied by award-winning software providers, and they will have high or above-average RTP% payout rates.
Finally, before depositing to play baccarat or blackjack on your chosen site, start by heading to your website’s safer gambling tools section so you can set things like win/loss limits, session time reminders and/or deposit limits just to ensure you remain well within your budget.
