Baccarat Odds, House Edge and Payouts Explained
Baccarat is a popular table game for many reasons, but for most, it is the good Baccarat odds that are the biggest. This game has some of the lowest house edges you will see among all casino games. It is also one of the simplest casino games to play. We take a closer look at the baccarat odds, payouts, house edge, and side bets so that you have a better understanding the next time you take your seat at a Baccarat table at a land-based or online casino.
The Main Baccarat Bets and How to Play Baccarat
There are only three bets in the main game to consider placing in the game of Baccarat. Two will essentially give you slightly less than a 50/50 (even money) chance of winning and the third will come in far less often. These are:
- The Banker Bet: You're betting on the Banker position to win.
- The Player Bet: You're betting on the Player position to win.
- The Tie Bet: You're betting on the two positions to tie.
Where the Baccarat game differs from other card-based casino games, is that you're not actually playing a hand. You're betting on the outcome of a game involving two imaginary players. You place your bets depending on who you think will win or whether you believe a tie will occur.
Once you place your baccarat bet, the dealer collects all bets placed and deals two cards each to the Player and the Banker. The position that has a hand value closest to nine is the winner, and all winning wagers are paid out. It is not always as simple as that as, depending on the value of the hands of both the player and banker, third card rules may come into play. You can find out more about the third card rule and how to play Baccarat in more detail via our how to play and win at baccarat guide.
At this point, it is worth pointing out that the scoring process in the game of Baccarat is different from most other table games featuring playing cards. Aces are worth one and while face cards have a value of ten, you might as well say they have a value of zero. That is because double-digit values do not exist in the Baccarat game.
If the banker or player has a hand value of ten or more, the first digit of that value is removed to reveal a new value. Another way to do this is to just minus ten from the original value.
How House Edge Impacts the Game of Baccarat
As with all other casino games, the game of baccarat has a house edge. This ensures the casino is more likely to win over an extended period of time. This house advantage is needed to pay casino overheads and, of course, make the casino some profit. The house edge works by ensuring the casino has a marginal advantage (or sometimes a huge advantage) across all bets placed. Admittedly, Baccarat has a low house edge when compared to many other casino games such as video slots and roulette.
The Baccarat house edge for the three standard Baccarat bets is:
- Banker Bet: 1.06%
- Player Bet: 1.24%
- Tie Bet: 14.36%
What this means is the casino has a 1.06% advantage on Banker bets, 1.24% on Player Bets, and a staggering 14.36% on Tie bets. Using the Banker bet as an example, from every €1,000 wagered on the Banker's hand, the casino will make €10.60 profit on average. On the flip side, it means €989.40 goes back to the players at the Baccarat table. That is an RTP (return-to-player) of 98.94%.
By the way, 98.94% is the official RTP of the game of Baccarat but as you can see, that changes depending on the bet you place.
So, using the Baccarat house edge information above, the best bet to make is to bet on the banker. The player bet is the next best, and the tie bet is something we suggest you avoid for the most part. There is something else to know about the Banker bet, however. There is a 5% commission to be paid on all winning banker bets. Despite this, it is still the best Baccarat bet, as it statistically wins more often than the others.
Baccarat Odds, Payouts, and Probabilities
Probably the most important thing to know before playing the standard Baccarat game is the different Baccarat odds of winning each bet and the payouts. Below, we dive into that for each of the bets you can place at Baccarat tables.
Banker Bets
The odds of winning the banker's bet sit at 45.86%. That takes into consideration the chance of the Tie and Player bets winning and the house advantage. If the Banker wins, the bet pays you 0.95:1. That is minus the 5% Banker bet commission we mentioned earlier.
Player Bets
As for the Player bet, the Baccarat winning odds are 44.63%, which is slightly lower than the Banker bet. It is still a much better bet than the Tie bet. When the Player wins, you receive a 1:1 payout. As you can see, that is slightly higher than what you get from Banker wins. That is because there is no commission on winning Player bets.
Tie Bets
Aside from banker and player bets, you have the option of betting on the hand ending in a tie. This happens less frequently than both the Player and Banker bets. In fact, the Baccarat winning odds for the Tie bet are just 9.51%. Essentially, that means this bet will usually win one in ten times. To compensate for the lower chance of winning, winning bets have a Baccarat payout of 8:1.
How the Number of Decks Affects the Baccarat Odds
The Baccarat odds we have primarily spoken about in this guide are for standard eight-deck Baccarat. This is the most common form of Baccarat you will find at brick-and-mortar and online casinos. However, some Baccarat games use fewer than eight decks. This has a slight effect on the baccarat odds when playing. Essentially, the fewer decks, the better Baccarat odds you have.
- Six-Deck Baccarat: When six decks are involved, the odds of winning the player bet are 44.63%. The Banker bet pays 45.87% of the time, and tie bets win 9.51% of the time.
- Single-Deck Baccarat: If only one deck is used at the Baccarat table, the Player wins 44.68% of the time, the Banker 45.96%, and the tie bet, 9.36%.
Baccarat Side Bets
In addition to the main Player, Banker, and Tie bets, Baccarat often offers various side bets to add excitement and variety to the game. Here are some of the most common Baccarat side bets:
- Pair Bets: This is one of the most popular side bets in Baccarat. Players can bet on whether the Player or Banker hand will be dealt a pair (two cards of the same rank). Banker pair payouts vary, but a typical payout is 11:1 for a winning pair bet.
- Perfect Pair: A Perfect Pair bet is a more specific version of the Pair bet. In this case, you wager that the first two cards dealt to either the Player or Banker will form a perfect pair, meaning they are not only of the same rank but also of the same suit. Payouts for a Perfect Pair can be quite substantial, often ranging from 25:1 to 200:1, depending on the casino.
- Big and Small: In some Baccarat games, you can bet on whether the total number of cards dealt to both the Player and Banker hands will be either a "Big" (5 or 6 cards) or "Small" (4 cards) hand. Payouts can vary, but they are typically even money or close to it.
- Dragon Bonus: The Dragon Bonus is a side bet that allows you to bet on the margin of victory for either the Player or Banker hand. It offers higher payouts for more significant wins. The payout varies based on the margin of victory and can range from 1:1 to 30:1 or more.
- Super 6: Some Baccarat tables offer a Super 6 side bet. This bet pays out if the Banker wins with a total of 6 points. Payouts are typically 12:1.
- Lucky 8 or 9: This side bet involves wagering on whether the winning hand, either Player or Banker, will have a total of 8 or 9 points. Payouts are usually 10:1 or 11:1.
Strategies to Help Beat Baccarat Odds
Baccarat is a game of chance, so there is no way you circumvent its randomness to ensure you win more than you lose. The player and banker odds remain the same no matter what you do. However, by following these tips, you can enhance your experience and potentially minimise any losses.
- Bet on the Banker: Statistically, the Banker odds ensure the Banker bet wins more often compared to the Player or Tie bets. This is because the Banker bet has a lower house edge. However, keep in mind that the casino typically charges a commission on Banker bet wins.
- Stay Informed: Understand the rules, house edge, and odds of baccarat thoroughly. Knowledge of the game can help you make informed decisions and avoid mistakes.
- Short Sessions: Break your playing sessions into shorter, manageable periods. This can help you maintain focus and prevent impulsive decisions.
- Avoid the Tie Bet: We cannot stress enough how much of a bad bet the Tie Bet is. It has far from the best odds and in fact, has some of the worst. The only time to consider this bet is when it has not come in a long time.
- Bankroll Management: To enjoy a more sustained experience, make sure you employ a good bankroll management strategy. Decide on a percentage of your bankroll you want to bet on each hand. Make sure you stick to it and avoid chasing losses.
- Quit While Ahead: If you find yourself on a winning streak, consider walking away while you're ahead. It's easy to become overconfident and lose your winnings if you continue playing. Don't forget that the Baccarat odds are stacked in the favour of the casino via the house edge of the game.
- Practice: You do not have to play baccarat using real money. In fact, you can play many of the RNG Baccarat games online for free. Use them to practice at the game without risking real cash. When you're comfortable with the Baccarat rules, you can attempt to play the real version.
- Consider Using a Betting System: While betting systems will not improve your Baccarat odds of winning, they can help to minimize losses and maximise winnings. We suggest checking out the Martingale system which involves doubling your bet after each loss.
- * For more advanced strategies and detailed tips on beating the odds in Baccarat, don't miss our complete Baccarat strategy guide.
Different Baccarat Variations
Although you will not always find these games at online casinos, there are many other variations of Baccarat that you should keep an eye out for.
- Chemin de Fer: Mainly popular in Europe, and particularly in France, Chemin de Fer has slightly different third card rules. Again, you can bet on either the Banker, the Player, or the Tie. The house edge of Chemin de Fer is between 1.29% and 1.45% for the Banker's hand and 1.01% and 1.45% for the Player's hand.
- Dragon Tiger: If playing Baccarat wasn't easy enough as it is, there is an even simpler variation of the game. In this variation, only one card is dealt to the two positions. Instead of the Banker and Player, you bet on the Dragon or Tiger. The Tie bet is also available. This baccarat variation has a house edge of 2.7% to 3.7% depending on the title you're playing.
- Baccarat Banque: This is a French variation of Baccarat that is usually played in land-based casinos so you will not usually find it at an online casino. This variation has three hands, two Players and one Banker's hand. In this Baccarat game, the player who places the largest wager is designated as the Banker. The house edge of the Banker's hand winning is between 1.06% and 1.24% depending on where you play. The Player bet has a house edge of between 1.28% and 1.46%.
- Mini-Baccarat: As the name suggests, this is a simplified and smaller variation of Baccarat. You still have both the Banker and Player positions but fewer players sit at the table. This ensures quicker gameplay and allows players to place more bets per hour. It has the same Baccarat payouts and the same house edge.
- No Commission Baccarat: This game follows the standard Baccarat rules apart from the fact there is no commission paid on a winning banker bet. However, this does not come without compensation. This comes with the Baccarat payouts when the banker wins with a 6. Instead of 1:1, you get Baccarat odds of 1:2 which essentially means you only win 50% of your wager. The house edge of No Commission Baccarat is the same as the standard game.
Live Dealer Baccarat Casino Games
Now that you know more about the popular Baccarat game, you're probably wondering if it is something you can play at an online casino. Well, online Baccarat is definitely something you can enjoy when playing on your desktop PC, laptop computer, or mobile device. In fact, most online casinos will offer a variety of Baccarat games you can enjoy. While it does not have the lowest house edge among table games, it is certainly one of the lowest. You can also enjoy many of the same side bets you will find at Baccarat tables in land-based casinos.
To get you started, we have lined up a few online Baccarat titles you should keep an eye out for. Don't forget, that you can enjoy playing Baccarat via RNG games or in a live casino format. The latter has a live dealer
- Speed Baccarat: Many top iGaming developers offer a sped-up version of Baccarat. Speed Baccarat has shorter time limits meaning you get to enjoy more hands per hour. The Baccarat probabilities and house edge are the same as the standard version.
- Lightning Baccarat: If you're a fan of Evolution live casino games, Lightning Baccarat is another title you should check out. You still bet on the Player, Banker or a Tie, but there is a twist. This is a Baccarat variation that offers random multipliers via Lightning Cards. These can offer multipliers of between 2x and 8x if they help you to win a hand. If multiple Lightning cards are involved in winning bets, you could receive up to 262,144x your bet as they will stack up. To compensate for these multipliers, a winning bet on Tie will pay 6 times your stake instead of 9. The house edge is 1.24%.
- Peek Baccarat: Also developed by Evolution, Peek Baccarat is a unique variation of the game that offers an exciting twist. For a 20% fee on top of your stake, you can peek at up to 4 cards and can use that information by doubling or tripling your initial bet. This has the same low house edge of standard Baccarat, the same Baccarat odds, and the same Baccarat probabilities.
- Baccarat Squeeze: This is a variation that has the same Baccarat casino odds and house edge of the original. In fact, the only difference is the production of the game and how the live dealer deals the cards. As a slower variation, the dealer will squeeze out the cards to add an extra element of anticipation and excitement.
- No Commission Baccarat: As mentioned in our section on other variations of Baccarat, this game has no commission applied to a bet winning on the Banker's hand. This changes the Baccarat odds as compensation. You still receive the same payout when the player wins but get half what you normally do when the Banker wins.
Conclusion
In simple terms, understanding baccarat odds can help you win more often. Betting on the Banker is usually your best bet, while the Tie bet is riskier and generally not worth it. Knowing the odds can make the game more fun and increase your chances of walking away with some extra cash.
