Baccarat is one of the most popular games in both land-based and online casinos. It is considered one of the favorite chance-based card games among many punters. A player’s target in the game is to get a score that is closest to 9 from the cards that have been dealt.
Although the baccarat table is easily recognized by many people, there are many things that a beginner should know before they can play successful. Depending on whether you are playing the American variant or the Mini Baccarat variant, there are 14 and 7 seating positions on the table, respectively. The betting positions are the same, nonetheless- player, banker, tie.
Number of Players at the Baccarat Table
The numbered spaces for players in the American Baccarat variant ranges between 1 and 15. However, since number 13 is usually omitted, a full-size table can only accommodate a maximum of 14 players. Number 13 is omitted because punters are very superstitious about the number. The mini Baccarat, on the other hand, can only have a maximum of seven players and one dealer.
Available Betting Positions
There are three betting positions in Baccarat. At the beginning of the game, you can either wager on the Player, Banker, or Tie. Each betting position has its designated area on the Baccarat table. Moreover, payouts vary depending on the selected betting position. As a gambler, your objective is to predict a betting position that will win the round correctly.
Player and Banker Betting Positions
Usually, most players bet on Player or Banker. However, the Banker position is often considered the most favorable in terms of the winning odds. The betting position has the lowest house advantage, making it the most preferred betting position. If you wager on Banker and win, you will receive a 1:1 payout.
A 5% commission will, however, be deducted from your winnings. A bet on the Player is the opposite of Banker betting position. Unlike Banker, the Player bet is relatively unfavorable. If you win a Player bet, you will receive a 1:1 payout. The tables below display the Banker’s and Player’s rules in the Baccarat betting system.
The Player’s Rule
| Totals | The Player |
| 0-4 | Draws |
| 5 | Draws or stands |
| 6 or 7 | Stands |
| 8 or 9 | Wins out of the hand |
The Banker’s Rule
| Total | If allowed, the Banker draws | If allowed, the Banker Stands | By Discretion |
| 0-2 | Always draws | – | – |
| 3 | 1-7 or 10 | 8 | 9 |
| 4 | 2-7 | 1, 8, 9, or 10 | – |
| 5 | 5-7 | 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 | 4 |
| 6 | 6 or 7 | 1-5, 8, 9, or 10 | – |
| 7 | – | Always stands | – |
| 8 or 9 | – | Win out of the hand | – |
Both the Banker and the Player receive two cards. Depending on the cards, they can be dealt a third card provided the rules of the table and the card hand are met.
The Tie Betting Position
If you place the Tie bet, it means that you are predicting a draw between the Player and the Banker in the next hand. This is the least favorable betting position for a player; the house has approximately 15% edge over players. For that reason, it has a relatively higher payout compared to the two other betting positions. If you win, you are eligible to receive a 8:1 or 9:1 payout.
Side Bets
Aside from the three betting positions discussed above, casinos can avail side bets that players can wager on. Below are some of the common side bets you can be allowed to wager on.
Pair Bet
In the Lucky Pairs Baccarat variation, a player bets that the first two cards of the Player or the Dealer are a pair. When compared to the normal Baccarat variation, Lucky Pairs bet promises a higher payout if one wins. However, you will have to battle with higher risk levels. The house has a higher edge. Once the first two cards have been dealt, the game will be paused for a while to either remove the losing bet or award the winning wager. After that, the table continues with the main bets. The third card is dealt once the Lucky Pairs bet is settled.
Dragon Bonus
The dragon bonus is one of the most popular side bets in Baccarat. In addition to betting on either the Banker or Player options, you are also allowed to predict the amount of points the winner will have ahead of the losing option. The bigger the point margin, the higher the payout. To be eligible for the Dragon Bonus, you must wager on either the Banker or Player. If you have a natural win with a margin of four points or more, you will get your Dragon Bonus Payout. The payout can be as higher as 30:1.
Baccarat Betting Strategy
Baccarat has limited choices, making it simple and straightforward for players. Be that as it may, there are strategies that you should consider if you want to increase your chances. It is however important to note that no strategy can assure you a 100% chance of winning. The online and land-based Baccarat table games are more or less the same in terms of rules, payout, and strategies.
While some may think that the Banker and Player positions have similar odds, wagering on the Banker position has some advantages particularly due to the rules governing the drawing of the third card. While you might be required to pay a commission from your winning, the banker bet has slight benefits over the player option.
Although it has a higher payout, the tie bet is often considered a losing proposition. In many instances, the odds of getting the tie and the resultant winnings do not really tally. Some statistics suggest that a tie bet often occurs after every 11 hands on average.
If you want to wager on the Lucky Pairs Bet, you should use a more aggressive betting strategy. If you are unwilling to take the increased risk level, just play the standard Baccarat variation. Since your chances of winning have been reduced significantly, you should consider this betting option if you have a surplus amount of money.