Baccarat Bets, Odds, and Payouts

Baccarat is a simple table game that offers some of the best victory odds, making it a fan favourite for newbies and seasoned players. To play your cards right and boost your chances of success, it’s crucial to understand the different bets, odds, and payouts available. In this article, we’ll break it all down so you can bet confidently and stay ahead of the game.

Main Bets in Baccarat

You can bet on the Player, the Banker or a Tie. Some game versions also offer a Pair Bet as part of the base game or as a side bet, where you bet on the Player or Banker having a pair of cards. The Banker has the best odds, followed by the Player. Conversely, the Tie has the worst odds but also comes with the highest payout.

Note:If you bet on the Banker or the Player and a Tie occurs, the bets are returned to the player. This is considered a push, just like in blackjack. But if you bet on a Tie and win, you get paid 8:1 or 9:1, depending on the baccarat alternative.

Side Bets in Baccarat

Baccarat also includes side bets, which add variety and excitement to the gameplay. These are optional, so you may choose to use them or not at your discretion.

Perfect Pair Bet

This bet involves predicting that either the Player or Banker will receive two identical cards of the same rank and suit in their initial hand, such as two Kings of Hearts.

Player and Banker Pair

These are bets where you predict that the Player’s or Banker’s first two cards will form a pair, such as two 8s or two Kings.

Royal Match

Such a bet is placed on the Player or Banker being dealt a suited King and Queen in their first two cards. If either hand receives this specific combination, the bet wins. The payout for a Royal Match is typically high due to the rarity of this outcome.

Bellagio Match

If a player can predict that either the Player or the Banker will receive three cards of the same rank (‘three-of-a-kind’), this bet pays out, offering a higher payout for the Player.

Super 6

It assumes Banker’s hand will win with exactly 6 points. This can happen with either two or three cards. If the Banker’s hand totals 6 and beats the Player’s hand, the bet pays out at 12:1. Some tables even allow players to place a Super 6 bet independently of the main Player or Banker wagers.

Big

This is a wager that the total number of cards dealt between the Player and Banker will be five or six by the end of the round. This happens if the Player, Banker, or both are dealt a third card.

Small

This one predicts that the total number of cards dealt between the Player and Banker will be four, meaning neither side draws a third card.

Dragon Bonus

In this case, the player wager that either the Player or the Banker will win by 4 or more points. The larger the winning margin, the higher the payout. The Dragon Bonus also pays out if the side you bet on wins with a natural 8 or 9, but at even money.

Note:The top payouts on side bets come from Royal Match, Bellagio Match, and Perfect Pair. However, statistically, these bets have a slim probability of landing on the table. This is why the smart bet is to go with the Small side bet. It offers the best combination of win probability and lower house edge, making it a solid choice for players looking to minimise risk.

Baccarat Deck Combinations

At most casinos, baccarat is played with standard eight decks of cards. But on some platforms, you can find the game with 6 decks or as low as a single deck of cards. In return, the number of decks used affects the house edge and the payouts in the game.

The difference is insignificant but can mean a lot for players looking for the best odds. The number of decks also influences the payouts for the side bets. On the Banker Pair in six deck baccarat, the odds rise to 45.87% from 7.47%, so the payout is now 0.95:1 instead of 11:1.

Note:If we compare baccarat to other casino games in terms of odds, only a few, like craps, poker, and blackjack offer similarly favourable odds. However, unlike those activities, baccarat requires much less skill, making it more accessible for beginners.

Below is a table where you can see the payouts and house edge for different bets, depending on the number of decks used in the game.

How the House Edge Changes with Different Baccarat Variants

Depending on which baccarat option you play, the house edge will change. While the most affected are the side bets, the basic game changes by lowering or increasing the commission.

The following table demonstrates how the commission changes based on the number of decks used in the game.

Baccarat Odds and Variants

Depending on the variant, the odds in baccarat change. In Punto Banco, betting on the Banker is considered an advantage since you don’t need to make any decisions. In Chemin de Fer, players need to make decisions and can lower the house edge.

This is why it’s crucial to understand how the odds function in each baccarat variant you play. By mastering them, you’ll improve your gameplay and increase your chances of success over time.

Punto Banco

European Baccarat

Dragon Tiger

No Comission Baccarat

Most baccarat games apply a commission to winning Banker bets, typically around 5%. However, certain variants eliminate it. For instance, some platforms offer unique options like the Red 8 and Panda 8 side bets, where no commission is charged under specific conditions.

How to Get an Edge in Baccarat

Like any other casino game, baccarat has a house edge which you cannot overcome. Yet, there are some steps you can take to improve your odds of winning:

• Bet the Banker: Such a bet has the lowest house edge of 1.06%, so you have the best odds of gaining success.
• Avoid the Tie Bet: This bet has a high payout of 8:1 or 9:1, but also comes with the highest house edge.
• Use Betting Strategies: Betting strategies like the Martingale can help you minimise your losses in the long run.

Once you learn how the odds, payouts, and house edge work in baccarat, you can gain a strategic advantage and improve your play over time. Follow our tips to enjoy more successful sessions and potentially bigger wins.