You may have already played baccarat (the card game in which scoring nine points, or as close to it, with your hand is the aim) at some point in your online casino journey.

For a unique twist, players can also try baccarat squeeze, a game in which the rules of traditional baccarat are adhered to, but with the added dimension of a ‘slow reveal’ of the cards.

This ‘squeezing’ of the cards adds a bit of novelty to the proceedings, so if you like your casino games with a momentary delay before the action unfolds, baccarat squeeze is for you.

In this guide, you can learn how to play baccarat squeeze – its rules, bet types and the different ways that you can win.

What’s the difference between baccarat and baccarat squeeze?

In essence, there is very little difference between live baccarat and baccarat squeeze.

Each hand is played out in the normal fashion – we’ll explain the rules of baccarat squeeze shortly, so if you’re already familiar with baccarat, then you will feel right at home.

The key difference is the manner in which the cards are revealed. You can select the ‘squeeze’ option, which slowly reveals the strength of your hand and that of the dealer.

The ‘live’ environment of baccarat squeeze also helps to add to the immersion factor of the game, with professional dealers operating in a working casino to help you feel closer to the action.

Baccarat squeeze rules

The rules of baccarat squeeze are the exact same as traditional baccarat.

You will be dealt two cards, as will the dealer. You can use the ‘squeeze’ option to ensure that these are revealed slowly or normally, depending on your preference.

Each card has a different value. Aces are worth one point, while cards numbered 2-9 are scored at their face value. 10s and picture cards are worth zero points.

The object of baccarat squeeze is to score as close to nine points as possible. The value of your hand is added together – for example:

A + 3 = 4 4 + 6 = 10 6 + 7 = 13

Whenever the score of your hand reaches double figures, the first digit is removed – so in the examples above, the 4 + 6 hand would be worth 0 and the 6 + 7 hand would be worth 3.

When either, or both, the player and the dealer have a hand worth eight or nine points, they automatically stand. If your hand is worth five points or less, you will receive one more card. Scores of six or more will stand.

When the player has stood, the banker must hit with a tally of five or less to try to beat the player’s score.

And that’s pretty much it. After those two or three cards have been dealt to both the player and the dealer, the hand with the score closest to nine wins – with bets paid accordingly. We’ll detail the main bets that are available in baccarat squeeze shortly.

Variations of baccarat squeeze

The most popular version of baccarat squeeze is the live version created by Evolution Gaming, which you can play right here at LeoVegas.

This game features all of the perks of the live casino environment: professional dealers, multiple cameras, authentic chips, and the sense that you’re in a real, working casino without having to leave the sofa.

The ‘squeeze’ is performed by the dealer, with close-up camera shots used to bring to life the reveal of the cards.

Another of the most popular baccarat squeeze versions has been supplied by Evolution to LeoVegas. In Live Baccarat Control Squeeze, the gameplay is the same, but the actual ‘squeeze’ element is carried out by the player.

You will see your cards displayed via a glass inlay on the table, with a click of each card slowly revealing its value – handing you complete control of the ‘squeeze’.

It is these innovative touches that ensure that blackjack squeeze – and particularly the two Evolution Gaming variants described here – is one of the more interesting online casino games you are likely to play.

Bets in baccarat squeeze

There’s a whole host of side bets available in baccarat squeeze, though the specifics of these depend upon which variant you have chosen to play.

Just some examples of baccarat squeeze side bets include Pairs (either the player or banker’s hand, with a payout of 11:1) and Perfect Pairs (two identical cards in a hand, paying 25:1).

But for now, let’s focus on the three main bets in baccarat squeeze.

Player bet

As the name implies, here you’re betting on your own hand – denoted as the player bet – to defeat that of the banker.

The player bet is at a slight disadvantage in that the banker plays second – meaning that they are able to react to the strength of your hand, even if their choices are determined by the rules of the game (e.g., standing on eight or nine, drawing at five or lower).

As such, the player bet has a fractionally higher payout at 1:1.

Banker bet

The banker bet requires you to do something that may feel unnatural: effectively betting on your hand to lose to the banker’s!

However, as mentioned above, there is some logic to this bet in the sense that the banker plays second, and therefore they have the innate advantage that this brings.

As such, there’s a 5% commission paid on winning banker bets, which otherwise pay at 1:1.

Draw bet

The draw bet, which is also sometimes referred to as a ‘tie’, is again as the name suggests: where the player’s and banker’s hands have the same value, the draw is declared the winning bet.

Given the various combinations of hand values in baccarat squeeze, the tie is a lower-probability outcome than either the player or banker bet. However, it pays out at 8:1 when it does win.