As a long-time card games fan, I recently thought it was time for a new challenge within the confines of the baccarat rules. After a brief search, I found Lightning Baccarat by Evolution. The game offers an electrifying twist to the traditional baccarat we know and love. With additional rules and several bonus features, I knew I was in for a treat.

Being a popular game, you’ve probably come across it in your favorite online baccarat casinos but don’t know what it’s all about. Don’t worry; in this review, I’ll guide you through everything there is to know about the Lightning Baccarat rules, Lightning Baccarat strategy, and what makes it so special. So read on, let’s get started.

Lightning Baccarat is an easy-to-play game. All the action happens on a baccarat table with a human banker standing behind it facing you. At the top right corner are relevant buttons for accessing the “Settings” menu and toggling other useful game features. The game is viewed from various camera angles depending on current happenings. Sometimes, I could view just the banker's hands. Other times, I could see the entire table.

I was always fascinated by the red streak of lightning that appears whenever a lightning round begins. Following the traditional baccarat rules, I tried to predict which hand would get as close to nine as possible in each round by combining the values of two or more cards. 

Lightning Baccarat uses eight decks, each holding fifty-two cards, and the highest possible hand score remains nine points. The game features RNG multipliers, where one to five randomly generated Lightning Cards appear in every round, with multipliers ranging from 2x to 8x, causing my payout to skyrocket whenever I strike a winning hand. 

To play Lightning Baccarat online is easy. Simply follow these steps:

Join a trustworthy casino

Firstly, choose a reliable online casino offering Lightning Baccarat. Always ensure the platform is licensed to guarantee safety and fairness. Most renowned Lightning Baccarat casinos have Lightning Baccarat in their games library, so you shouldn’t struggle to find the ideal one. Register by providing the required information, and you’re good to go.

Make a Deposit

The next step is funding your account. Visit your preferred casino’s deposit page, then choose a casino payment method. Some reliable options include credit/debit cards, direct bank transfers, eWallets, and cryptocurrencies. After choosing your ideal payment system, make your deposit.

Launch Lightning Baccarat

After making a deposit, stroll to the games section and look for Lightning Baccarat. The game shouldn’t be hard to find since most casinos make finding your favorite games easy by providing a search bar. Locate and launch the title.

Place a Bet

I was greeted by a gorgeously designed table and a virtual banker when the game loaded. Place your main wager first. You can also decide to use a side bet to boost your winning chances. Don’t worry; the game’s interface isn’t complicated. You’ll get the hang of it in no time.

Play Lightning Baccarat

With all bets placed, the banker starts dealing the cards. Remember, your aim is to predict which hand will be closest to 9. You can even bet on a tie. After the main round comes the Lightning round, offering multipliers that can boost your winnings.

Claim Your Winnings

Winnings are disbursed immediately. You’re free to continue playing for as long as you wish, or you could cash out your wins – your choice. If you lose, just try again. But set a budget to ensure you don’t spend more than necessary.

To help me maximize my Lightning Baccarat gaming experience, I spent lots of time understanding the available betting options and how they work. Here’s what I discovered:

Main Bet

I started by placing my main bets on either of the following options:

• Player to win
• Banker to win
• Both hands have the same value (a tie)

The objective remains unchanged – combine at least two cards to get as close to nine points as possible. This score is reduced by ten points if either the player or the banker exceeds a hand value of nine.

Lightning Strikes

Here, a bolt of lightning appears, roping between one to five Lightning Cards. My aim after each strike was to match my winning hand cards with a lightning card. If I succeed, the matched multiplier is automatically added to my winnings. I noticed my winning hand's multiplier payouts increase with the number of Lightning Cards it has.

Lightning Fee

A Lightning Fee of 20% of your main bet grants you access to the multipliers. I like to think of it as my ticket to the Lightning Round.

Side Bet

A side bet is an additional stake that adds an extra layer of excitement to the game. Unlike primary bets, they're optional. So, it's your choice whether or not to use a side bet. Keep in mind that a side bet can't be more than 20% of the main bet.

Odds and Payout Rates

Lightning Baccarat’s payout rate depends on the type of bet. Here’s what I mean:

Main Bets

• Player bet: 1-512:1 payout
• Tie bet: 5:1
• Banker bet: 1-512:1

Side Bets

Player and banker side bets both have a payout rate of 9:1

Return to Player Percentage

Player bets have a 98.76% RTP, while banker bets have a 98.59% RTP.

Lightning Baccarat has several bonus features that distinguish it from traditional Baccarat variants, such as:

Lightning Cards

After the betting phase has ended, between 1-5 Lightning Cards will be added, with 2x to 8x multipliers applied to the card value. If a Lightning Card comes in your winning hand combination, the multiplier is applied to your overall win. However, if numerous Lightning Cards appear in a winning hand, the total multiplier values are added before being applied to the winning value.

Player Pair/Banker Pair Side Bets

In addition to the normal Banker/Player/Tie bets, you can place additional side wagers on the Player Pair or Banker Pair slots to the far left and right of the betting table. These bets win when the corresponding banker/player wins using only the first two cards dealt throughout the round. The reward for a successful win is 9:1. If a Lightning Card is active in the winning hand, the total multiplier value is added to the win amount.

Game History

Thanks to the game history feature at the bottom right corner of the screen, I could view previous rounds results. I could also review how many times each bet type has won, including Player, Banker, Ties, Player Pair, and Banker Pair bets.

I had a swell time playing Lightning Baccarat live. Right from the moment I joined a table, I was lost in an immersive atmosphere that felt like I was inside a brick-and-mortar casino. I had fun interacting with the live bankers. These individuals, mostly female, were professional, engaging, and friendly, lighting up the moods and adding a social element to the game. 

Also, I could ask questions, interact with, and cheer for other players using the live chat feature. The audio and visual quality left a positive impression. I could hear the banker’s voice clearly, and with the video quality set to the highest, my eyes didn’t miss a single detail on the table.

Admittedly, I was under some pressure during the first few minutes of gameplay. However, after a couple of rounds, I found myself more relaxed, making strategic decisions even at tense moments. The Lightning multipliers also improved my mood. Seeing my winning hand reflect the same value as one of the lightning cards made the game more enjoyable.

Playing Lightning Baccarat for real money offered a “pressure on-pressure off” experience. After joining a Lightning Baccarat table at my preferred online casino, I placed real money bets. Knowing that actual money was at stake added weight to each decision I made during gameplay. I started with small wagers but progressively raised my stakes as I gained confidence.

However, I had to set and follow a budget while playing since bankroll management helps prevent overspending. Lightning Baccarat, like other casino games, has highs and lows. But altogether, it was enjoyable.

Lightning Baccarat is a popular baccarat variant. However, not all online gambling platforms have the game. I’ve curated a list of the top online casinos where you'll find the casino game. So, check it out, make a pick, sign up, and start playing.

Evolution made another version of the game called the First Person Lightning Baccarat. This variation has the same features and super-charged thrills as the live version. However, it’s played by a single player and the 3D animation ensures an immersive experience. 

Players can also deal free hands to build trends. Lastly, there's a GO LIVE feature on this RNG version. Once you click on it, you'll be redirected to join the live dealer baccarat table. Unlike the live version, 98.76% RTP, First Person Lightning Baccarat has a 99% return to player percentage, leading to a lower house edge. In my opinion, it's a beginner-friendly game suitable for RNG newbies venturing into playing baccarat.

Note that First Person Lightning Baccarat has a demo version embedded in this review. Therefore, if you’re interested in trying out a few strategies or learning the game basics, you can play in Demo mode for a while before placing bets with real money.

Lightning Baccarat provides a new Baccarat Pro experience for gamers looking to try something unconventional. It’s a game I can confidently recommend to anyone. However, I suggest going through the Lightning Baccarat rules before playing for real money. 

Also, stick to a budget while playing to avoid unnecessary losses. The game has its ups and downs, but I had a swell time playing Lightning Baccarat, and you might, too. So, why not give it a try?