Baccarat is a game of simple elegance, renowned for its low house edge on the main bets—Player, Banker, and Tie. For decades, players have relied on these core wagers for their high-stakes entertainment. However, the world of baccarat has evolved, and modern online casinos, particularly live dealer tables, are packed with a dazzling array of baccarat side bets. These are additional wagers you can place on various outcomes, from specific hand totals to pairs. They promise massive payouts that dwarf the standard 1:1 odds of the main game. But the question remains: are these exciting new options worth the risk? This article will delve into the most common and popular baccarat side bets, analyze their true value, and help you decide if chasing a big baccarat payout is a wise strategy.
Before exploring the side bets, it's crucial to understand the fundamental difference between them and the main bets.
Main Bets: These are the three primary wagers: Banker, Player, and Tie. The Banker and Player bets have a very low house edge (1.06% and 1.24% respectively), making them some of the most player-friendly bets in the entire casino. The Tie bet has a much higher house edge (around 14.36%) but offers a better baccarat payout of 8:1 or 9:1.
Side Bets: These are optional wagers that are independent of the main game's outcome. While they can be a lot of fun, they come with a significantly higher house edge, meaning the casino has a much larger advantage over the player in the long run. They are designed to add excitement and a chance for a huge baccarat payout, but this comes at a price.
Let's examine some of the most widely offered baccarat side bets and break down their risks and rewards.
1. Dragon Bonus Baccarat
The Dragon Bonus Baccarat side bet is arguably the most popular and complex of all side bets. It's a non-natural win where you're betting on either the Player or the Banker to win by a specific margin of points.
How it Works: You place a Dragon Bonus bet on the Banker or Player. You win if your chosen hand is a natural win (8 or 9) or if a non-natural hand wins by a margin of 4 or more points. The larger the margin of victory, the higher the baccarat payout. For example, a win by 9 points can pay out at an astounding 30:1.
Payout Structure:
The Verdict: The Dragon Bonus Baccarat side bet offers some of the most exciting potential payouts in the game. However, its high house edge (around 2.65% for the Banker and 2.70% for the Player) means that it's a bet that's hard to win consistently. While it's a fantastic option for adding thrill to your game, it's not a viable long-term strategy. It's best used as a small, secondary bet alongside your main Banker or Player wager.
2. Perfect Pair Baccarat
As the name suggests, the Perfect Pair Baccarat side bet is a wager on whether the first two cards dealt to either the Player or the Banker will form a pair of the same rank and suit.
How it Works: You can place this bet on the Player hand, the Banker hand, or both. The payout is for a "perfect" pair, meaning a pair of the exact same cards (e.g., two 8 of Spades). A "colored" pair (e.g., 8 of Spades and 8 of Clubs) or a "mixed" pair (e.g., 8 of Spades and 8 of Hearts) may have different, lower payouts depending on the specific table rules.
Payout Structure:
The Verdict: The allure of a 25:1 or 200:1 baccarat payout is strong, but the odds are heavily stacked against you. The house edge on the Perfect Pair bet is notoriously high, often exceeding 13%. While hitting a perfect pair is a great feeling, it’s an incredibly rare occurrence. This bet is purely for entertainment and should be treated as a lottery ticket, not a serious part of your baccarat strategy.
3. The Panda 8 Bet
This is a specialized side bet found exclusively on EZ Baccarat tables. It's a very specific wager on a particular outcome of the game, making it one of the most distinctive baccarat side bets.
How it Works: The Panda 8 bet is a wager on the Player's hand. It wins only if the Player's hand wins with a total of 8 points using three cards.
Payout Structure: The baccarat payout for a winning Panda 8 bet is a fixed 25:1.
The Verdict: The Panda 8 bet is an interesting and high-paying side bet. However, like other side bets, it comes with a high house edge of around 10.19%. While a 25:1 payout is attractive, the specific conditions for a win (three-card hand totaling 8 for the Player) are rare. This bet is a fun way to add some variety to your game, but it's not a profitable bet in the long run.
4. The Dragon 7 Bet
Another side bet specific to EZ Baccarat, the Dragon 7 bet is the Banker's counterpart to the Panda 8. It’s a bet on a very specific and rare outcome of the Banker's hand.
How it Works: You place the Dragon 7 bet on the Banker's hand. It wins only if the Banker's hand wins with a total of 7 points using three cards.
Payout Structure: A winning Dragon 7 bet pays an attractive 40:1.
The Verdict: With a payout of 40:1, the Dragon 7 bet is one of the most tempting baccarat side bets. However, the house edge is a significant 7.61%. This bet is designed for high-risk, high-reward players who are chasing a big win. For those who play baccarat to maximize their odds and minimize the house edge, it is a bet that should be avoided.
5. Tie Bet
While technically a main bet, the Tie bet is often categorized with side bets due to its significantly higher house edge and baccarat payout.
How it Works: You are betting that the Player and Banker hands will end up with the same total.
Payout Structure: The standard payout is 8:1, though some tables may offer 9:1.
The Verdict: The Tie bet is one of the worst bets you can make in the entire casino. With a house edge of over 14%, it is almost a guaranteed long-term loss. Despite the tempting 8:1 payout, the probability of a tie is just under 9.5%. A tie is a fun outcome when it happens, but betting on it is not a wise financial decision. It's a classic example of a high-payout bet that is not worth the risk.
So, are baccarat side bets worth the risk? The answer is a qualified "no," especially for the average player.
From a mathematical and strategic perspective, these bets are designed to provide the casino with a much higher edge. They are highly volatile and will almost certainly deplete your bankroll faster than the main Banker or Player bets. The high payouts are tempting, but they are a mirage that distracts from the poor underlying odds.
However, if you view gambling as a form of entertainment and your goal is to have fun and add some excitement to your game, then baccarat side bets can absolutely be worth a small, occasional wager. They add a thrilling element of chance that is not present in the main game's low-volatility bets.
A Sensible Strategy: Stick to the Main Bets: For the bulk of your bankroll, bet on the Banker or Player. This is the most logical and profitable long-term strategy. Budget for Side Bets: If you want to try a side bet, set aside a small, separate portion of your bankroll for this purpose. Use Side Bets Sparingly: Treat them as small, speculative bets. Never rely on them as your primary strategy.
Ultimately, baccarat side bets are not for the disciplined, strategic player who aims to maximize their winning potential. They are for the casual player who enjoys the adrenaline rush of a long-shot bet and isn't overly concerned with the long-term cost. By understanding the true odds and managing your expectations, you can enjoy the thrill of these side bets without falling into their costly trap.
The house edge on baccarat side bets is significantly higher than on the main Banker and Player bets. For example, the house edge on the Tie bet is over 14%, while the Perfect Pair bet can have a house edge of over 13%.
No. Despite the attractive baccarat payout of 8:1 or 9:1, the Tie bet has a very high house edge and a very low probability of winning, making it a poor choice for any player looking to win in the long run
The Panda 8 bet is a side bet on the Player's hand winning with a total of 8 points from three cards. It's a specialized bet found on EZ Baccarat tables and pays out 25:1.
Dragon Bonus Baccarat is a side bet where you win if your chosen hand (Banker or Player) is a natural winner or wins by a large margin of points (4 or more). The payout increases with the margin of victory, with a win by 9 points paying 30:1.
