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Baccarat can be called one of the most conservative gambling games. Terms and conditions of mini-baccarat offered at most online casinos require minimal user intervention. The customer just needs to choose one of three types of bets: banker, player, or tie. Then they just watch how the cards are dealt and the winning bet is determined.
To diversify the gameplay and attract more customers to baccarat, the developers of software for online gambling, as well as operators of brick-and-mortar casinos, are trying to create different kinds of side bets in this game. They are placed on the additional field and are independent of the basic bets. They are paid according to different rules.
Popular Side Bets in Baccarat
The basic versions of baccarat side bets will be discussed in this article.
Dragon Bonus Bet
Dragon Bonus is supposed to be the most common baccarat side bet. It can be made either on the banker or the player. It is paid for the victory of the selected opponent with nine natural points or by the spread of at least four points.
There are the following payouts:
- Natural 9 - 30:1
- The spread is 8 points - 10:1
- The spread is 7 points - 6:1
- The spread is 6 points - 4:1
- The spread is 5 points - 2:1
- The spread is 4 points - 1:1
When both opponents have 9 points, a tie is announced. In other cases, the bet loses.
There are the following house edges:
- Dragon Bonus on a player - 2.65%
- Dragon Bonus on a banker - 9.37%.
The data slightly varies with the changes in the number of decks that participate in the gameplay.
Dragon 7
This bet can be found in the games from the EZ Baccarat Series. It wins in the case of the banker's victory with seven points in a three-card hand.
There are the following payouts:
- The banker's victory with seven points in a three-card hand - 40:1
There is the following house edge:
- Dragon 7 - 7.6%
The card counting system is elaborated for this bet at brick-and-mortar casinos.
Panda 8
It is another side bet from EZ Baccarat. It is paid if the banker wins with eight points in a three-card hand.
There are the following payouts:
- The banker wins with eight points in a three-card hand - 25:1
There is the following house edge:
- Panda 8 - 10.19%
There is a card counting system for this bet that allows achieving outstanding results.
Big and Small Bets
These side bets offered baccarat, available in the online casinos powered by Playtech. The Small bet is paid if the player and the banker have four cards, and the Big bet wins if they have five or six cards.
There are the following payouts:
- Small - 3:2
- Big - 0.54:1
There are the following house edges:
- Small - 5.27%
- Big - 4.35%
These data are valid if the game is played using six decks.
Perfect Pair Bet
It is another baccarat bet offered by Playtech. It is paid out if the first two cards are of the same rank and suit (it is an analogue of a perfect pair in blackjack).
There are the following payouts:
- Pair of the same suit - 25:1
There are the following house edges:
- Six decks - 17%
- Eight decks - 13%
The game is available at live casinos.
Either Pair Bet
This version of side bets can also be found at online casinos running on software released by Playtech. It is paid if the first two cards of the banker or player contain any pair.
There are the following payouts:
- Pair - 5:1
There are the following house edges:
- Six decks - 14.5%
- Eight cards - 13.7%
Playtech offers this game in a six-deck version.
4-5-6 Bet
This bet is available in some American casinos (mainly in Atlantic City). The customer has to guess the number of cards in both opponents: the player and the banker.
There are the following payouts:
- Four cards - 1.5:1
- Five cards - 2:1
- Six cards - 2:1
There are the following house edges:
- Four cards - 5.2%
- Five cards - 8.9%
- Six cards - 4.7%
The number of decks does not affect the house edge significantly.
Lucky Bonus Bet
This type is available in U.S. gambling houses. The Lucky Bonus bet is paid when the banker wins having six points.
There are the following payouts:
- The banker wins, having 6 points - 18:1
There is the following house edge:
- Lucky Bonus - 2.34%
The mathematical calculations show that the player has the advantage over the house, making this bet. However, its size can not exceed 10% of the basic wager. If you make both bets constantly, the total house edge reaches 1.11%.
Conclusion
The Lucky Bonus bet seems to be the most attractive among those that are mentioned above. Unfortunately, you can hardly find it outside the United States (in fact, even beyond California).
Some side bets are so unprofitable that a reasonable player would never make them.
The best options for those who want to try their luck in this way are provided by online casinos where the Dragon Bonus, Small, and Big bets are available.
If you find more profitable opportunities for users, tell us about your findings in the comments. We are waiting for your opinions regarding this topic.
