Baccarat Bet Types
| Updated: Main and Side Bet Types in Baccarat
Baccarat is a classic card game enjoyed by casino enthusiasts around the world. With online casinos offering baccarat variations from different providers, online players can choose from various baccarat titles, each offering a distinct experience. Before playing baccarat, however, we recommend becoming familiar with the game and the types of bets you can place.
Despite the numerous variations of the card game, there are always three main options to bet on: Player, Banker, and Tie. Each option has different odds and a different house edge, which can help players determine which bet is most favorable. In addition to the main baccarat bets, several game variations offer side bets. Typically, side bets pay based on combinations of cards dealt to either hand. It is important to become familiar with the available side bets, their payouts, and the conditions that must be met to receive a payout.
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Bet Types
In baccarat, two hands are dealt, and the winning hand is the one with the higher total. There are three types of bets to choose from: the “Player,” the “Banker,” and the “Tie” bet. Understanding how these wagers work is easy because the betting areas are clearly labeled. Before each coup, players can choose one of these betting options.
Every Baccarat table has a designated area where wagers are placed. In most cases, each betting section is labeled with the name of the bet, making it easy for players to determine where to place their chips. It is also worth mentioning that, because this is a game of chance, there is no way to influence the outcome of any coup. For that reason, players should review the available information about the bet types in advance to understand which one offers the best chance of winning and which carries the greatest risk.
| Baccarat Bet Types and House Edge | |
|---|---|
| Bet Type | House Edge |
| Banker | 1.06% | Player | 1.36% |
| Tie | 14.40% |
The Banker Bet
The “Banker” bet is considered by experienced baccarat players to be the best main option because it has the lowest house edge of the available wagers. However, it is worth mentioning that because this bet is highly favorable to players, casinos typically charge a 5% commission whenever it wins. The commission may vary depending on the casino and game variation. Therefore, it is best to check the applicable commission before playing.
Even with the 5% commission, the “Banker” bet still has a low house edge of 1.06%, making it the most favorable main bet. Although betting on “Player” also offers good odds of winning, players are generally advised to choose the “Banker” bet, as it offers the highest chance of winning among the three main options.
Some casinos apply a specific minimum commission to the “Banker” bet instead of the typical 5% commission. For example, you may come across baccarat tables that require a minimum commission of $1 per hand. While this may seem reasonable, it can be disadvantageous for low-stakes players.
If you join a baccarat table with a minimum commission of $1 on the “Banker” bet, a $5 wager means the commission amounts to 20% of your original stake. Even if you double your “Banker” stake and bet $10, the $1 commission still represents 10% of your wager. Such tables can take significantly more from low-stakes players than baccarat tables with a standard 5% commission.
If you wager $20 or more on “Banker,” a $1 commission is equivalent to 5% of a $20 stake. If, however, you bet $10 on “Banker,” the $1 commission gives the house an edge of 3.35%, which is 3.16 times the standard edge on “Banker” bets.
If you plan to place lower bets, we recommend choosing a baccarat table that charges the standard 5% commission on “Banker” wins.
The Player Bet
The “Player” bet is the second-best option in baccarat in terms of house edge. Its house edge is more favorable than that of the “Tie” bet but less favorable than that of the “Banker” bet. No commission is charged when this wager wins. By placing a wager on the “Player” section, players bet that this hand will be the winning one. Because baccarat is often played at high stakes, it is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each bet before making a decision.
The Tie Bet
When players choose the “Tie” bet, they are wagering that the Banker and Player hands will have identical values. However, the odds of this outcome occurring are low. Although the payout for the “Tie” bet is much higher than those for the other available betting options, its house edge is highly unfavorable. Therefore, it should generally be avoided. Few players take the risk of placing this wager because the probability of both hands having the same value is low.
How to Place a Bet
Placing a bet is straightforward, as every baccarat table has three sections labeled “Player,” “Banker,” and “Tie.” Players can clearly see where to put their chips and place their chosen bet. Once seated, players can easily find the betting area directly in front of them. The section closest to the player is “Player,” followed by “Banker,” while the area furthest away is reserved for the “Tie” bet. The commission boxes and chips are placed in front of the dealer. To play, simply choose one of the available wagers and place the desired number of chips in the corresponding area.
Baccarat Payout
Payouts are among the most important factors players should consider when choosing a casino game. In baccarat, the “Player” and “Banker” bets have the same listed payout, while the “Tie” wager has a higher payout. However, players should remember that a 5% commission typically applies whenever the “Banker” bet wins.
The “Player” and “Banker” bets pay 1 to 1, while the “Tie” bet pays 8 to 1 or 9 to 1. As shown, the payout for the “Tie” wager can vary by casino. Players should understand all of their betting options, even if it is advisable to avoid the “Tie” bet because of its high house edge. Since baccarat is a game of chance, it is essential to become familiar with the bet types, their house edges, and their payouts before playing.
| Baccarat Payout | |
|---|---|
| Bet Type | Payout |
| Banker | 1:1 | Player | 1:1 |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 |
Side Bets
Like many other card games, baccarat can include various optional side bets. Their availability differs from one casino to another and may also depend on the game version. Baccarat players may encounter side bets such as Dragon 7, Panda 8, Dragon Bonus, Perfect Pair, Big and Small Bets, and others.
Before playing, it is recommended that you become familiar with the available side bets and their winning conditions. Side bets can offer larger payouts, but they generally carry more risk than the main baccarat wagers.
Dragon Bonus
Dragon Bonus is one of the most popular side bets and is commonly offered in Mini Baccarat. Its payout for nine points is 30 to 1, and players can place it on either the “Player” or the “Banker” hand. The hand with the higher score wins, and players who bet on that hand receive a payout. This side bet can offer higher returns to players willing to accept the additional risk.
The amount players win depends on the margin of victory. This side bet offers a 2.65% house edge when it is placed on the “Player” section and the game is played with eight decks. Although the main “Banker” bet normally has the best odds, the house edge for the Banker Dragon Bonus is significantly higher at 9.37%. Therefore, it is considered unfavorable, and players should refrain from placing it.
Panda 8 and Dragon 7
One popular baccarat variation is EZ Baccarat. This version closely resembles the original game and usually offers two side bets: Dragon 7 and Panda 8. These bets provide the chance to receive higher payouts and add variety to the game.
Panda 8 is a well-known side bet. If players decide to place it, they receive a payout if the Player hand totals 8 points with exactly three cards. The payout is usually 25 to 1, and the house edge is calculated to be around 10.19%.
Perfect Pair
Perfect Pair is a side bet found in baccarat games powered by the software provider Playtech. If players decide to place it, they receive a payout if the first two cards are identical in terms of suit and rank. The payout for this side bet is 12 to 1, and the house edge is 13% when the game is played with eight decks.
Egalite Bets
This type of side bet allows players to wager on the Banker and Player hands ending in a tie. While a tie wager is also available in the base game, this side bet requires you to predict the exact value of the tied result. Several betting sections are dedicated to this wager, and players can place multiple egalite bets.
You can place as many egalite bets as you like without betting on the main game. The payout you receive if your prediction is correct depends on the value of the tie.
| Egalite Bet Payouts | |
|---|---|
| Tied Value | Payout |
| 9 or 8 | 80:1 |
| 7 or 6 | 45:1 |
| 5 | 110:1 |
| 4 | 120:1 |
| 3 | 200:1 |
| 2 | 225:1 |
| 1 | 215:1 |
| 0 | 150:1 |
Odd/Even
Another side bet available at some baccarat tables in land-based casinos involves betting on either an even or odd total. You can place this additional wager on either the “Banker” or the “Player” side. There are four possible bets: an even “Player” total, an even “Banker” total, an odd “Player” total, or an odd “Banker” total.
All Red/All Black
This side wager allows players to bet on two different outcomes. The first is that the “Player” hand will consist only of red cards (hearts and diamonds). The second is that the “Player” hand will consist only of black cards (clubs and spades). Although the two outcomes have the same probability, All Red typically pays 22 to 1, while All Black pays 24 to 1.
Banker Streak
Banker Streak is a side bet available in some baccarat variations. Unlike most wagers, it cannot be placed before every round. Instead, you can place a Banker Streak bet only after a tie or a “Player” win. To win this side bet, the Banker must record more than three consecutive wins. The payout depends on the number of successive “Banker” wins.
There are four common paytable variations for baccarat tables that offer the Banker Streak side bet. All four pay for more than three consecutive “Banker” wins, with the highest payout awarded for 10 or more successive wins by the “Banker” side.
| Banker Streak Side Bet Payouts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Banker Wins | Paytable 1 | Paytable 2 | Paytable 3 | Paytable 4 |
| 10 or more | 250:1 | 250:1 | 200:1 | 200:1 |
| 9 | 150:1 | 100:1 | 100:1 | 100:1 |
| 8 | 60:1 | 60:1 | 60:1 | 60:1 |
| 7 | 40:1 | 40:1 | 40:1 | 40:1 |
| 6 | 25:1 | 25:1 | 25:1 | 20:1 |
| 5 | 15:1 | 15:1 | 15:1 | 15:1 |
| 4 | 10:1 | 10:1 | 10:1 | 10:1 |
| 3 or fewer | Loss | Loss | Loss | Loss |
Three-Card Win
Some baccarat tables offer the Three-Card Win side bet, which can be placed on both the “Player” and “Banker” sides. This additional wager pays when the side you bet on wins with a three-card hand. If your Three-Card Win bet on the “Player” side succeeds, the payout is 4 to 1. A successful “Banker” Three-Card Win bet pays 5 to 1.
Some variations of this side bet also include Suited Three-Card 8 and Three-Card 6. The first variation allows you to bet on the Player, the Banker, or both sides receiving a three-card hand of the same suit with a total of eight. The second variation allows players to bet on the Player, the Banker, or both sides receiving a three-card hand with a total of six.
The Suited Three-Card 8 bet pays 25 to 1 for a “Player” or “Banker” win. If you bet on both sides and each meets the winning condition, the payout is 200 to 1. In this case, the two sides may have different suits. The payouts for the Three-Card 6 bet are 8 to 1 for either side and 100 to 1 if both sides qualify.
5 Treasures
Another wagering feature available in some baccarat variations is 5 Treasures. This option includes five different side bets that may appear under other names at various baccarat tables. The five wagers are Fortune 7 (the same as Dragon 7), Golden 8 (the same as Panda 8), Blazing 7’s, Heavenly 9, and Cover All.
Winning conditions for the 5 Treasures side bets:
- Fortune 7 – Banker gets a three-card total of 7
- Golden 8 – Player gets a three-card total of 8
- Blazing 7’s – a 7-7 tie with the same number of cards in both hands
- Heavenly 9 – at least one of the hands has a three-card total of 9
- Cover All – pays if any of the aforementioned bets wins
Bad Beat Baccarat
Bad Beat Baccarat is played like a regular baccarat variation, but it also offers extra payouts through a side bet. This game is typically found at online casinos and pays on certain bad beats. The margin of victory between the two hands determines a “bad beat”, and there are five possible payout outcomes for this side wager.
| Bad Beat Payouts | |
|---|---|
| Margin of Win | Payout |
| Three-Card 9 beats Three-Card 8 | 40:1 |
| Natural 9 beats Natural 8 | 10:1 |
| 8 beats 7 | 6:1 |
| 7 beats 6 | 4:1 |
| Other margin of victory of 1 | 1:1 |
Golden Frog
Some baccarat tables offer a set of four side bets collectively known as Golden Frog. When placing one of these wagers, you are betting that one side will beat a specific hand with a particular card combination. You do not have to choose a side. Instead, you place your wager on a specific outcome.
| Golden Frog Side Bet Payouts | |
|---|---|
| Side Bet | Payout |
| Any 8 beats any 6 | 25:1 |
| Two-Card 9 beats Two-Card 7 | 50:1 |
| Three-Card 9 beats Three-Card 1 | 150:1 |
| Three-Card 9 beats Three-Card 7 | 200:1 |
Kill the Ox/Tiger
Depending on the casino offering the game, this side wager may be called Kill the Ox or Kill the Tiger. Regardless of its name, the winning conditions are the same. There are two scenarios in which the Kill the Ox/Tiger bet pays. The first is when the “Player” side has a three-card 6 and ties or loses. The second is when the “Banker” side has a three-card 7 and ties or loses. In both cases, the payout is 30 to 1.
Ox 6
This straightforward side wager is sometimes offered at standard baccarat tables in brick-and-mortar casinos. The bet pays if the “Player” side wins with a three-card 6. When successful, this side wager pays 40 to 1. Any other outcome results in the loss of the Ox 6 side bet.
Royal 9
When playing baccarat at a land-based casino, you may encounter the Royal 9 side bet. This is a progressive jackpot bet. This side wager typically costs $5 and qualifies you for the game’s progressive jackpot.
By placing this side bet, you wager on the “Player,” the “Banker,” or both sides having a Royal 9. This specific hand consists of a 9 and any face card. The progressive jackpot is won when both sides have a Royal 9 that matches a specific preprinted combination of two cards. Matching other preprinted Royal 9 combinations awards smaller fixed payouts.
Conclusion
Baccarat is a popular casino game that offers a variety of main and side bets. Its simple rules and the low house edge on the main Player and Banker bets are among the reasons it attracts players worldwide. Baccarat is a game of chance, so its outcome cannot be influenced by a reliable strategy. Therefore, players should become familiar with the available options, including the different main and side bets, so they can make informed decisions and enjoy the game responsibly.