Baccarat, as they say, is a game of chance. There is no specific algorithm or mathematical formula to help increase your odds of winning, as the only thing to do is select a bet – on the banker hand, player hand or Tie. That’s why in today’s guide, we’re outlining the most important tips for baccarat players who want to play strategically and enjoy their baccarat sessions better.
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Tips in Playing Baccarat
While there is no 100% proven system to help you win at baccarat doesn’t indicate that you need to gamble your bankroll without thinking. You should know that the game isn’t bingo, which requires no strategy at all. That’s why we’ve prepared some tips and tricks to help you increase your odds of winning in the game. Check out the following section for guidance and reference.
Know the rules of the game just as how you should before playing other casino games. You should act and play with knowledge in order to understand how the game is played. At the very least, a beginner must sign up and play for a beginner level baccarat to learn of the tricks of the game. It is a great thing that many of our featured online casinos here are offering starter modes, which can help you become familiar with the game and get good tips about the methods of play.
Now, here’s the thing: There is a slight difference between online baccarat and regular baccarat played at the casinos, so learning of a couple of techniques of play is effective and wise.
In the following section, you will learn a good game strategy, which will increase your odds of winning, although they’re particularly helpful in online baccarat games than in general baccarat play. But always remember that there are no tricks to give you an advantage over the house in the following tips, but just advice.
Check the Odds
You must check the odds just as how you should when playing any types of casino games. So before playing, check out if the odds on all types of bets are correct.
- In a banker bet, there is a normal commission charged by the house – 5%. However, some casinos I found are charging up to 25% on this bet, while others less than 5%. In that case, you should watch out for casinos charging a lower commission in a banker bet.
- In the player hand bet, the standard is 1:1 or evens, and it applies across casinos.
- The tie bet, which is the worst bets of the three, has the most terrible odds of 8:1. That is the exact same reason you have to avoid this bet no matter what.
Avoid the Tie Bet
Following up on what we last mentioned is on the tie bet. You should never bet on it, as it is almost a guaranteed LOSS. This is called the sucker bet, which has a house edge of 14.36%.
This bet is even worse than betting on a hard four at the craps table.
But perhaps you’re wondering why many players are still trying their luck and betting on a Tie. The reason is the huge winning should it wins – which is 9 to 1. It’s a large and enticing payout that’s also irresistible for some players.
While it has the largest payout if it wins, you should know that it rarely happens – and with the probability of only 1 in 10 hands.
So without even saying, you’re more likely than not to waste your bankroll if you would bet on the tie, even if it pays the biggest. Even professional baccarat players avoid and consider it a bad bet.
Bet on the Banker
On the player’s side, the house advantage over you is 1.24%, while it is 1.09% on the banker bet. So even if there is a 5% commission on a winning banker hand, it is still the most advantageous bet to make.
There’s not much explanation needed here, as it is clear and easy to see that the banker bet has the lowest house edge. In that case, it might be the best route to take to increase your winning odds, and even statistics support it, even if you might be tempted of playing both sides.
Bet the Player if You’re Using a Progressive Betting System
While it might sound contradicting to what we said earlier about sticking with the banker hand, it is the wiser bet to make for players that are using a progressive betting system.
Because even if you always have a better chance to win by betting the banker, it is not the optimal choice if you’re using a progressive betting system.
Many players have sworn using these progressive baccarat systems, and one of the most known and used is the Martingale System – in which you double your bet amount after every loss.
This system, in no way, favors the player using a banker hand due to the commission charged for every win with it.
Let us cite an example.
Supposed you made four losing bets, and won on the fifth with wagers – $25, $50, $100, and $200 – in which you double your wager after every loss, and so you wagered $400 on the 5th bet.
You lost $275 on the first four bets, but then won on the $400 fifth bet. Thus, in the banker hand, you will receive only $380 due to the 5% house commission, which is $200 – 5%. And in this win, the only profit you made is $5.
So if you did bet on the player, things would have been different for you. In the winning fifth bet using the player hand, you would have profited $25 instead of $5 because you won’t have had to pay the house commission.
Summing this section up, you should bet the player, not the banker, if you’re using a progressive betting system.
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Use a Pattern Betting System
While you won’t improve any of your long-term winning odds with it, this tip will help you get the most out of your experience and make games more engaging than not. So to begin with pattern betting, players must try alternate betting. For example, bet on the player now, and then the banker… and repeat.
Additionally, you might want to try betting based on streaks, such as betting the banker until the player hand wins three hands consecutively. And then, bet the player until it loses. When it did lose, you should go back and bet the banker until another streak.
Then there is another pattern betting – which is betting the banker each with different amount, which is based on whether the banker or the player wins a specific hand. So it would be if the banker hand wins, then you must bet $10 on the next hand, or $5 if the player wins on the next hand.
As a general advice, this tip isn’t meant to help increase your winning chances, but it can give you more fun out of your game and provide you with something to do other than waiting and watching for every hand’s outcome while the computer software is doing everything else for you.
Set Time and Betting Limits
This tip is a part of a good bankroll management strategy, especially in a fast-paced game like baccarat when you badly need one. While it might be tempting and sometimes unavoidable to be wrapped up and occupied with the thrill of the action, you should not commit to an excessive wagering or prolonging your session in one sitting. Thus, you must set a bankroll and time limit for every session, and then log out or leave the tables when you’ve reached your limits.
So once you’ve lost your allotted bankroll for the day, you should quit or stop playing, or stand up and take a break when you time is up. This practice is valuable and it will help you get a pleasant gaming experience. Thus, you must set a winnings ceiling, and then take a break when you hit that profit limit. [But this tip won’t matter if you don’t implement self-discipline at the tables.]
Be Mindful of the Streaks
While streaks defy the odds, they can make you extend, not for a good reason, and lose more money in the process. That’s why you need to pay attention to the streaks. For example, if the banker hand is on a winning streak in a row (and you’re on a losing streak on another bet), you must take a break until that streak ends, and do not try tempting fate.
Practice and Get the Grips of the Game
Take advantage of the chance given by online casinos that offer free baccarat modes. These free plays will help you hone your skills, improve your chances of winning and most importantly not risk your money while still familiarizing yourself with the game itself. So consider that playing demo modes is a free hands-on training as to how the game is played and which betting strategies will affect your game.
Read the Fine Print
This tip is almost always included in our guides. The terms and conditions are important because you need to comply with them before cashing out your winnings (and bonuses). This is the exact same reason you must read and understand the free casino cash bonus before you accept and play using it. Take note that many online casinos do not include baccarat in the wagering requirements.
In that case, baccarat won’t help you comply with the playthrough requirements, which state how you can release the bonus money. But then if some online casinos include baccarat in the wagering requirements, you might be required to gamble and play more than you would be required in playing other online casino games. Nevertheless, it is always advised that you check on the fine print and understand it for the right expectations.
Wrapping Up
So while there’s no specific formula or system to help you win at baccarat, there are tips that can help you wiser decisions at the table and extend your playing session. Baccarat is a game of chance indeed, but a wise player can improve his chances by playing with a strategy, which begins with the tips we’ve outlined above. If you think we missed something, feel free writing your comment below today!