What are Baccarat Bets and Side Bets

The game of Baccarat is quite straightforward, offering three primary betting options. These three bets are the core of Baccarat and are what most players typically stick to.

Beyond the main bets, players can also opt for Baccarat side bets, which add an extra layer of excitement to the game. While side bets can offer massive payouts, they also come with a higher house edge, making them less probable outcomes.

Understanding both the main Baccarat bets and the side bets is crucial for any player aiming to not only enjoy the game but also to succeed at it. This guide is designed to help all players in the Philippines navigate these betting options.

Types of Baccarat Bets for Filipino Players

As mentioned, there are three primary types of bets in the game of Baccarat: betting on the Player's hand to win, betting on the Banker's hand to win, or betting on a Tie.

Each of these three main bets offers different payouts and house edges. The probability of each bet occurring varies, so it's important for bettors to be well-informed about these odds.

Betting on the Player "Panalo"

When you bet on the Player, you're essentially betting that the Player's hand will have a higher score than the Banker's hand. If the Player's hand value is closer to 9, then that hand wins.

Betting on the Player is a solid choice. It's the direct opposite of betting on the Banker, which is often considered the most strategic bet in Baccarat.

Betting on the Banker "Taya"

Betting on the Banker is generally considered the best bet in Baccarat due to its low house edge, typically around 1.06% regardless of the number of decks used. The Banker's hand is statistically more likely to win because it acts last in the playing order.

While betting on the Banker is a smart move for your strategy, remember to factor in the standard 5% commission charged on winning Banker bets.

Betting on a Tie "Tabi"

Betting on a Tie has its ups and downs. The main challenge with Tie bets is their rarity; both the Banker and Player hands must have the exact same score, like both getting a score of 6, for a tie to occur.

However, because Tie bets are infrequent, they offer significantly higher payouts, which some players might find appealing for a chance at a big win.

Understanding Baccarat Side Bets

Side Bets are additional wagers you can place during a Baccarat game. While there are many types of side bets available, we'll focus on the most popular ones to help you get started in the Philippines.

It's important for players to know that side bets are considered quite risky, which is why many players often avoid them when playing online Baccarat games.

Pair Bet

A Pair Bet is a wager on whether the first two cards dealt for either the Player or Banker hand will form a pair (e.g., two 7s). The payout for a Pair Bet is typically around 11:1, but the house edge can be as high as 11%, depending on the specific online casino. You can place a Pair Bet on the Player's hand, the Banker's hand, or both.

All Black/ Red

The all black or red side bet is a wager on whether the hand will contain only black or red cards.

The all-black bet offers a 24:1 payout with a house edge of 6.53%, whereas the all-red bet has a slightly lower payout of 22:1, but the house edge is 14%.

Big/ Small

There are other side bets that can be seen in many online casinos, like Big and Small. The big and small bets are to bet on the total number of cards in play. This bet is strongly dependent on how the player’s hand is played. If, in the end, there are 4 cards on the table, the small bet wins, but if there are 5 or 6 cards, the big bet wins.

Bellagio Match

The Bellagio match is a side bet on whether the hand will get three of a kind. The Bellagio match has a payout of 68:1 for the banker’s hand, and 75:1 for the player’s hand. The house edge varies from 5.27% to 8.57%.

Dragon Bonus

It is about either hand winning with a natural hand with an exact point margin. The higher margin, the bigger payout:

• 9 points - 30:1
• 8 points = 10:1
• 7 points = 6:1
• 6 points = 4:1
• 5 points = 2:1
• 4 points = 1:1
• 3 points or fewer = Loss.

The house edge for the dragon bonus is usually about 2.65% for the player’s hand, but it goes up to 9.37% for the banker’s hand.

Lucky Bonus

Lucky baccarat bonus bets are among the most exciting side options that the game offers. This is a wager for the banker's hand to win while being worth 6 points. The game has a great payout of 18:1, with a house edge of just 2.34%.

Matching Dragon

The Matching dragon is a wager about how many cards of a specific rank the banker and the player will be dealt. The matching dragon side bet has a house edge of $16.99 = %. Here are the payouts for the matching dragon side bets in baccarat:

• 6 cards = 100:1 payout
• 5 cards = 60:1
• 4 cards = 40:1
• 3 cards = 20:1
• 2 cards = 3:1
• 1 card = 1:1
• No cards of a specific rank = Loss

Bets to Avoid

Side Bets alongside Tie Bet are not likely to happen often. So, for every player who is tempted to create a strategy, in which his chances of winning are as high as possible, side bets and tie bets have to be excluded.

Overall, betting on a tie and side bets in Baccarat is something that any player should avoid, in order to keep his chances of being profitable in the long term.

When to place side bets in Baccarat?

The baccarat side bets can work against the player in most cases, as they have a huge house edge, and the high payouts usually don’t cover the losses. But, if the player has a good side bets betting strategy, they can really bring some fascinating profits in the long term. Unfortunately, that requires a huge budget and a lot of patience.

Are Side Bets Worth it?

Even beginners are aware of the fact that most online casinos offer baccarat tables with side bets available, and these bets have to be avoided. The statistical odds of any side bet happening are so low that in the long term, it’s nearly impossible to come into profit.

Conclusion

Baccarat is a game that offers a range of different bets for players to choose from. The straightforward way to approach the game is by sticking to the main banker, player, and Tie bets. On the other hand, if the player is seeking more excitement, there are some baccarat side bets in addition to the main ones.

Side bets have higher payouts but are a lot riskier. So, it’s recommended to stick to the main three. The benefit of knowing both baccarat bets and baccarat side bets will give the player a clear vision of what odds he has to win and increase them.