Baccarat Bet Types
| Updated: Main and Side Bet Types in Baccarat and Their Specifications
Baccarat is a classic card game enjoyed by casino enthusiasts around the world. With online casinos offering baccarat variations by different providers, virtual players have the chance to choose from various baccarat titles, each one presenting a unique experience. Before you start playing baccarat, however, we recommend you become familiar with the game and the bet types you will be able to place.
Despite the numerous variations of the card game, there are always three main options you can bet on. These include betting on the Player side, Banker side, or Tie. Each of these options has its own winning odds, indicating which side is the best to bet on. In addition to the general bet types in baccarat, you can come across several variations of the game offering side bets. Typically, side bets pay on combinations of cards dealt to either side. Nevertheless, it is always good to become familiar with the side bets, their payouts, and the conditions that must be met in order to receive payout for a side bet.
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. Figuring out how these wagers work is easy because the betting areas are clearly labeled. Before each coup, players may try their luck by choosing one of these betting options.
Every Baccarat table has a designated area where wagers are placed. In most cases, the betting section is labeled with the name of the bet, which is extremely convenient for players, as they can easily find where to place their chips. It is also worth mentioning that since 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 know which one gives them the best chance of winning and which should be avoided.
| 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 known among proficient Baccarat players as the best option because it has the lowest house edge compared with the other available wagers. However, it is worth mentioning that since this bet is highly favorable for players, casinos charge a 5% commission every time it wins. The commission percentage may sometimes vary, depending on the particular casino and the game variation. Therefore, to be on the safe side, it is best to check the commission before you start playing.
Even with the 5% commission, the ‘Banker’ bet still has a very low house edge of 1.06%, making it the most recommended bet. Even though betting on ‘Player’ also offers good odds of winning, in most cases, players are advised to stick with betting on ‘Banker’, as this option offers the highest chance of winning.
Some casinos will 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, you can quickly do the math and see that this is disadvantageous for low-stakes players.
If you join a baccarat table with a minimum commission of $1 on the ‘Banker’ bet, a $5 bet would mean that the commission you pay amounts to 20% of your original stake. Even if you double your ‘Banker’ stake and bet $10, the $1 commission will still represent 10% of your wager. As you can see, such tables can take significantly more from low-stakes players than baccarat tables with a standard 5% commission.
Of course, if you are wagering $20 or more on ‘Banker’, a $1 commission should not be a problem, as it still amounts to 5% of your $20 stake. If, however, you decide to bet $10 on ‘Banker’, the commission of $1 will give the house an edge of 3.35%, which is 3.16x higher than the normal edge on ‘Banker’ bets.
If you are planning to make lower bets, we recommend you choose other baccarat tables that require the typical 5% commission on ‘Banker’ wins.
The Player Bet
The ‘Player’ bet is the second-best choice players have when playing Baccarat. Its house edge is more favorable than that of the ‘Tie’ bet but less favorable than the ‘Banker’ bet. For that reason, no commission is charged when this wager wins. By placing a wager on the ‘Player’ section, gamblers bet that this particular hand will be the winning one. Because baccarat is often a high-stakes game, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of every bet before making a decision.
The Tie Bet
Whenever players opt for the ‘Tie’ bet, they hope that both hands – the banker’s and the player’s – will have identical values. However, the odds that this best-case scenario will occur are slim. Even though the payout of the ‘Tie’ bet is much more enticing than the rest of the available betting options, its house edge is highly unfavorable and therefore, it should be avoided. In general, not many players take the risk of placing this wager, as it is apparent, even without doing the math, that the odds of both hands having the same value are very low.
How to Place a Bet
It is extremely easy to place a bet, as every Baccarat table has three sections labeled ‘Player’, ‘Banker’, and ‘Tie’. This way, players can clearly see where to put their chips and place the bet they wish. Once seated, players can easily find the betting area, which is conveniently located directly in front of them. Closest to the player is the ‘Player’ section, followed by the ‘Banker’, while the area furthest away is reserved for the ‘Tie’ bet. The commission boxes and chips are placed in front of the dealer, and all it takes to play is to simply choose one of the available wagers and place the desired number of chips in the corresponding area.
Baccarat Payout
The average payout is one of the most important factors players should always consider when choosing a casino game. In Baccarat, the ‘Player’ and the ‘Banker’ bets have the same payout percentage, whereas the ‘Tie’ wager differs. However, players should bear in mind that whenever the ‘Banker’ bet wins, a 5% commission applies to their winnings.
The payout for the ‘Player’ and the ‘Banker’ bet is 1 to 1, whereas the ‘Tie’ bet pays 8 to 1 or 9 to 1. As you can see, the payout for the ‘Tie’ wager can vary by casino. It is always best for players to know all of their betting options, even if it is advisable to avoid the ‘Tie’ bet for various reasons. Since Baccarat is a game of chance, it is essential to become familiar with the bet types, their house edges, and their payouts to make the most of every game.
| Baccarat Payout | |
|---|---|
| Bet Type | Payout |
| Banker | 1:1 | Player | 1:1 |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 |
Side Bets
Just like many other card games, in Baccarat, players can enhance their experience by placing various side bets. They are optional and differ from one casino to another. They may also vary depending on the game version. Baccarat enthusiasts can place a variety of side bets, including Dragon 7, Panda 8, Dragon Bonus, Perfect Pair, Big and Small Bets, and others.
Thus, before you start playing, it is recommended to become familiar with the available side bets so you can take advantage of them when they are offered. By placing a side bet, players can win more substantial sums, especially in a high-stakes game such as Baccarat.
Dragon Bonus
Dragon Bonus is one of the most popular side bets and is most commonly offered in Mini Baccarat. Its payout for nine points is 30 to 1, and players have the opportunity to place it on either the ‘Player’ or the ‘Banker’ hand. Whichever hand gets the higher score wins, and players who have bet on that hand get paid. This side bet can offer higher returns to those willing to take the risk.
The amount players win depends on the margin of victory. This side bet offers a 2.65% house edge, provided the bet is placed on the ‘Player’ section and the game is played with 8 decks. Since the ‘Banker’ bet is normally the one with the best odds, its Dragon Bonus house edge is significantly higher—9.37%. Therefore, it is considered unfavorable, and players should refrain from placing it.
Panda 8 and Dragon 7
One of the most played variations of Baccarat is EZ Baccarat. This variation closely resembles the original game and, in most cases, offers two side bets that players can place – Dragon 7 and Panda 8. These bets give players the chance to win big and add excitement to the game.
Panda 8 is a well-known side bet that has proven to be highly enticing. If players decide to give it a shot, they will get paid if the Player’s hand collects 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 that can be found in Baccarat games powered by the prominent software provider Playtech. If players decide to try their luck by placing it, they will get paid 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%, provided the game is played with eight decks.
Egalite Bets
This type of side bet allows players to place a bet on the ‘Banker’ and ‘Player’ sides ending in a tie. While such a wager is also available in the base game, the difference with this side bet is that you wager on the exact value of the tie result. There are several sections dedicated to this bet, and players can choose to make multiple egalite bets.
The great thing about this side wager is that you can make as many egalite bets as you like without placing a bet on the main game. The payout you receive, if your guess is correct, depends on the value of the tie.
| Egalites Bets 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 that can be played at some baccarat tables in land-based casinos is betting on either Even or Odd. You can make this extra wager on either the “Banker” or the “Player” side. There are four possibilities: an even “Player” total, an even “Banker” total, an odd “Player” total, or an odd “Banker” total.
All Red/All Black
This type of side wager allows players to bet on two different outcomes. The first is to bet money on the “Player” hand being composed of only red cards (hearts and diamonds). The second similar side bet allows players to bet on the “Player” hand consisting of only black cards (clubs and spades). Even though the probability of the two outcomes is exactly the same, typically, All Red pays 22 to 1, while All Black pays 24 to 1.
Banker Streak
Banker Streak is a very interesting side bet that some baccarat variations may offer to players. The distinctive aspect of this wager is that it cannot be placed on every gaming round. Instead, you can make a Banker Streak bet only after a tie or a “Player” win. To win this side bet, the banker must have more than three consecutive wins. The payout for this side wager depends on the number of successive “Banker” wins.
There are four popular paytable variations you can see for baccarat tables that offer the Banker Streak side bet. The common denominator is that they pay for more than three consecutive “Banker” wins, and the highest payout is for 10 or more successive wins for the “Banker” side.
| Banker Streak Side Bet Payouts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Banker Wins | Paytable 1 | Paytable 2 | Paytable 3 | Paytable 4 |
| 10 or more | 250 | 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 that can be placed on both the “Player” and the “Banker” sides. This additional wager pays when the side you have bet on wins with a hand composed of three cards. If your Three-Card Win bet on the “Player” side is successful, you will enjoy a payout of 4 to 1. Meanwhile, a successful “Banker” Three-Card Win pays 5 to 1.
Some variations of such side bets 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 getting a three-card hand of the same suit with a total of eight. The second variation enables players to bet on the player, the banker, or both sides getting 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 have made a bet on both sides and they meet the winning condition, the payout will be 200 to 1. In this case, it is acceptable for the two sides to 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 on some baccarat variations is 5 Treasures. This side betting option involves five different side bets that can often be found under other names on various baccarat tables. The five stakes are Fortune 7 (same as Dragon 7), Golden 8 (same as Panda 8), Blazing 7’s, Heavenly 9, and Cover All.
Winning conditions for 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 on both hands
- Heavenly 9 – at least one of the hands is 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 any regular baccarat variation, but it also offers extra payouts on four side bet options. This game is typically found at online casinos and pays for a few bad beats. The margin of victory between the two hands defines a “bad beat”, and there are five possible chances to enjoy a payout thanks to this side wager.
| Bad Beats 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 also offer a set of four side bets collectively known as Golden Frog. If you decide to place this type of side wager, you are betting on one of the sides beating a specific hand with a specific card combination. You do not have to choose a side but rather place your money on a certain outcome.
| Golden Frog Side Bets 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 that offers the game, you can find this side wager either under the name Kill the Ox or Kill the Tiger. Regardless of the name, the winning conditions are the same. There are only 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 side wager is straightforward and is often offered at standard baccarat tables you may come across at various 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 a loss of the Ox 6 side bet.
Royal 9
When you play baccarat at your favorite land-based casino, you might also look for the Royal 9 side bet. This is a progressive jackpot bet that can be very rewarding for lucky players. Typically, this side wager costs $5 and qualifies you for the progressive jackpot of the game.
If you make this side bet, you are placing your money on the “Player”, the “Banker”, or both sides having a Royal 9. This specific hand consists of a 9 and any of the face cards. The progressive jackpot is won when both sides have a Royal 9, matching a specific pre-printed combination of two cards. Matching different pre-printed Royal 9 combinations also awards smaller fixed payouts.
Conclusion
Baccarat is one of the most played casino games because it offers a high level of entertainment through a variety of exciting bets. Its moderately low house edge and simple rules are also among the reasons it attracts players worldwide. It is a game of chance and, as such, its outcome cannot be influenced by a reliable strategy. Therefore, it is essential that players become familiar with all of the available options they have, including the different bet types, so they can make informed decisions and fully enjoy the game.