If you’re an experienced player you might already be familiar with Baccarat side bet rules, however if this game is still new to you, or you’re looking to brush up on your skills, here’s where we explain it all.
Even though Baccarat is probably the most straightforward table game out there in terms of rules, there are still a number of side bets which add further depth and dimension to this already extremely interesting game. Wondering which one
might be best to take up next time you’re sitting around a casino table? Or perhaps whether they’re even worth their while? That’s what we’re here for today.
If you’ve never played Baccarat before, the first thing you’re going to
want to know is how the game usually pans out, Baccarat side bet strategy
aside. Essentially the dealer is going to do all the work here, dealing two
hands at the beginning of each round, one labelled ‘Banker’ and the other
‘Player’. It’s really important to keep in mind that these titles refer to
the cards on the table and not the actual player, as there might be
multiple players betting on the same game round, especially if you happen
to play at a Live Casino.
Right before the cards are dealt however, players are invited to place
their wagers on whether they predict the Banker or the Player will win, or
whether there’s going to be a tie. The cards are then dealt face up in most
classic game variants, with the hand closest to nine in value winning the
hand.
Baccarat gets its name from the old Italian word “baccara” which
means zero. This is mainly due to the fact that tens and face cards are
worth zero points in this game, while Aces are worth one point, while
numeric cards retain their face value. Now that we’ve got that covered,
here are some of the most popular Baccarat side bets explained.
Possible Baccarat Side Bets Available During Gameplay
Different games support different Baccarat side bet rules and options, for
this reason it’s always a great idea to check for these before taking a
seat and committing to play for real money. In the case of Live Baccarat
for instance, you’re able to communicate any queries you might have
directly with the dealer, who is able to reply in real time in between
rounds. Here are some of the most popular Baccarat side bets explained,
which include:
1. Tie wagers
2. Banker and Player pairs
3. Big / Small Side Baccarat bets
Baccarat Tie Wagers
Most Baccarat players have already heard of the Tie bet most probably, but
it’s worth going over once again for those who might be new to the game.
Rather than being an actual side bet, the Tie bet is the third type of bet
you’re able to play during a standard game of Baccarat, and this refers to
the prediction that both hands will end up holding the same number of
points. To place your bet on a tie, you’ll be required to slip your chips
into the appropriate area within the Baccarat betting table.
A tie bet will typically pay out 8:1 or 9:1 depending on the game, however
just like you’d imagine the odds here aren’t entirely on your side in this
case. Some may argue however, that the Tie bet is always useful to keep in
mind when learning Baccarat side bets as this high-risk wager also has the
potential to offer significantly higher rewards.
Banker and Player Pairs
When learning about Baccarat side bet strategy, you might also come across
these side bets which are generally included whenever the game is played
with eight standard decks of cards. These bets include predicting whether
the cards dealt to either the Player or the Banker will consist of an
actual pair.
For instance, placing a wager on the Player’s pair means that the second
pair of cards dealt to this hand include two identical cards in some form
or other. Certain games will also allow you to bet on whether both hands
will be dealt a pair at lower odds.
Certain Baccarat side bet rules books may also contest that another side
bet known as the Perfect Pairs bet may also be placed – this includes a
hand that’s not necessarily made up of an identical pair but both cards are
from the same suit e.g. Diamonds or Spades. Perfect Pairs bets are paid out
whenever either the Player or the Banker are dealt such a hand. Other
Baccarat pair side bets include:
Name | Description | Payout |
Perfect Pair | A pair of cards with identical suit and rank | 25:1 |
Banker Pair | Two cards with matching ranks that are dealt to the Banker | 11:1 |
Player Pair | Two cards with matching ranks that are dealt to the Player | 11:1 |
Any Pair | A pair of cards that’s dealt to either the Banker or the Player |
5:1 |
If your current Baccarat game accepts these wagers, then these can be made
instead of the regular three Baccarat bets, or in addition to your current
bet. Betting only on the side bet means that any other outcome will
automatically qualify as a loss.
Big / Small Side Baccarat Bets
When it comes to Baccarat Big Small strategy, there’s much to be said. Big
and Small bets in Baccarat generally refer to the number of cards dealt in
a single round. The chance of both the Banker and the Player being dealt
two cards per hand for a total of four refers to Baccarat’s Small side bet
that has a payout of 1.5:1. However, in Baccarat, a third card may also be
drawn in certain cases from both the Player as well as the Banker’s side,
and if that’s the case then the Big side bet wins with a payout of 0.54:1.
Play Baccarat Games At Platincasino
How To Win At Baccarat: Strategies And Systems
Apart from understanding Baccarat’s side bet rules, there are another
couple of bits of information you’re going to want to keep in mind next
time you hit a table, especially if you happen to be playing live baccarat for real money.
The first thing you’re going to want to take note of is the house edge for
each of the bets applied, with the Banker’s bet taking first place in this
regard; let’s take a look:
Bet | House Edge |
Banker | 1.06% |
Player | 1.24% |
Tie | 14.4% |
Even though the Tie bet may appear to be the riskiest option in this case,
several players enjoy placing this wager from time to time. If you’re
interested in knowing more check out our Baccarat Tie bet strategy guide.
While the Banker bet may appear to be the best choice out of the three,
it’s always wise to keep in mind that the casino will also add a commission
on these wins known as the Banker’s Cut, which doesn’t apply to Player or
Tie bets.
As mentioned earlier on, apart from knowing your Baccarat side bet
strategy, it’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with a couple of
betting strategies which could come useful whenever you’re playing a card
game like Baccarat, but may also apply to other table games such as
Blackjack and Roulette amongst others.
Keep in mind, however, that Baccarat is ultimately a game of chance, with
the element of unpredictability shining through its core. Even though some
of the more advanced Baccarat betting strategies
may appear to be fool proof in theory, unfortunately there are no
guarantees. What betting strategies will definitely help with however is
successfully managing your bankroll as effectively and efficiently as
possible. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options:
System Name |
Description |
Pros and Cons |
Paroli |
Here’s a type of positive progressive betting, with the |
This system is very easy to learn and doesn’t require a |
Fibonacci |
This system requires you to increase your bet size |
This betting system is considered to be kinder on the |
Labouchere |
The Labouchere is a negative progressive betting system |
This betting system definitely allows more flexibility when |
Martingale |
Similar to the Paroli, the Martingale system is a hybrid |
This is another relatively simple betting strategy to |
Nevertheless, whenever you’re playing Baccarat you must always keep the
element of luck in mind. No matter how solid your Baccarat side bet
strategy, or your betting system, the random nature of the game will always
trump any mathematical equations you or others may have tried to work out.
Whether you’re a new player or have been playing for years, there’s only so
much you can do from your end, while the rest is quite literally left to
chance.
It’s always important to remember that you should always play casino games
for fun, and that things won’t always work out your way. In either case,
it’s important to know your limits and stick with them, never play more
than you can afford, and ultimately know when to stop. Platincasino also
offers a number of tools which might come in handy if you feel your
gameplay might be getting out of hand via the
Responsible Gaming
page.
Baccarat Side Bet Rules – FAQ
What’s the best strategy for Baccarat?
Even though we’ve done our best to have all possible Baccarat side bet rules explained, as well as highlight some of the most popular betting strategies out there, ultimately Baccarat is a game of luck. Focus on your game, set limits to your bankroll, and have fun with it – after all, isn’t that what online casino play should be all about?
Can Baccarat be beat in the long run?
Due to the massively unpredictable nature of the game, some days will be great and others will be less lucrative. This is a 100% chance-based game, meaning that there’s no real way of knowing what your next game session might turn out like, and that’s what makes it fun.
What are some tips to play Baccarat for money?
If you’re interested in playing Baccarat for real money, you’re going to want to make sure you know everything there is to know about the game before taking a seat at a Live Casino table. Find out all there is to know about Live Baccarat right here.
Can you bet on both the Player and the Banker in Baccarat?
While you’re able to place a wager on all three options per round, it’s always advisable to stick with one main bet per game round (Player, Banker, or Tie) while keeping in mind any other Baccarat side bet rules which may apply to that particular game.