Baccarat will forever be cemented in pop culture thanks to its role in the James Bond franchise. Of course, it is much harder to win at baccarat in real life than it is on a film set.

One of the many reasons people stick with baccarat is because it has a low house edge. The right baccarat strategy can help ensure your time at the tables is fun and profitable. Thankfully, you do not need to scour the internet to find a winning strategy.

Our casino experts have collected all the best baccarat betting strategies. You can use these strategies to improve your chances while playing baccarat at the top online casinos.

Baccarat Overview: Learning the Basics

Baccarat can be a ton of fun and creates plenty of chances to win money. However, you need to use a proven baccarat betting strategy if you want to win consistently. And before you can pick a strategy, you need to understand the rules of baccarat.

How to Play Baccarat

Baccarat is an easy game to learn. In its simplest form, the point of baccarat is to get the hand with the highest total. The hand that is closest to nine points is the winner. Only the last digit of the number is counted, so nine is the highest possible total.

To start, players have to place a bet on one of three options. You can wager on either your hand, the dealer’s hand, or a tie. Once all the bets are placed, the dealer gives each party two cards.

The parties then compare hands to determine which hand is the winner. To win money, you have to correctly bet whether the banker’s hand or the player’s hand will be the ultimate winner.

Drawing a Third Card in Baccarat

In some instances, the player and the banker are able to take a third card. The extra card could help increase your score. If you overshoot the mark, your score will actually go down.

Your score must be five or less in order to be eligible for a third card. If it is higher than five, you have to stand. The dealer also hits on a total of five or fewer if the player stands.

Betting Options in Baccarat

There are three main betting options in standard baccarat games. You can wager on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie.

Players win or lose based on the wager they place. So, you can still lose even if your hand is better than the dealer’s hand.

Your baccarat betting strategy will largely depend on which starting wager you make each round.

Baccarat Card Rankings

The scoring system in baccarat is very simple. All you have to do is add up the total point values of your cards. Each card is worth the same amount of points as its face value.

Only the last digit of the score is counted. The ten’s spot is dropped in double-digit numbers. So, a score of 16 would only be counted as six, and so on.

This also means that 10s and face cards are essentially worth zero points. Aces on the other hand are only worth one point.

Baccarat Payout Rules

Standard baccarat only has three possible payout options. Here, the only payout options are if the banker wins, the player wins, or if there is a tie. Other versions of baccarat may offer extra betting options.

Banker Bets

The banker’s hand has the best chance of winning in baccarat. A wager on the banker’s hand wins roughly 45.86% of the time. This is slightly better than the player’s hand bet.

The slight advantage for the banker’s hand comes from the order of play. The dealer’s hand is completed last, similar to blackjack. This means the player can lose the hand before the banker ever makes a move.

Despite winning less than half of the time, a wager on the banker pays out at 1:1. A successful bet of $10 will win the player $10.

Player Bets

Betting on the player’s hand also gives you a good chance of winning the round. The player bet wins roughly 44.62% of the time.

The difference does not seem like much at first glance. However, it can have a huge effect on the house edge. Strictly betting on the player’s hand will cost you more money in the long run than just betting on the banker’s hand.

Despite being slightly less likely, the player’s hand bet pays out at 1:1, just like the banker’s hand wager. This means you are taking more of a risk to get the same reward.

Tie Bets

The third and final betting option in most baccarat games is the tie bet. As the name suggests, this wager only hits if the player and banker tie. This is the least likely of the three potential outcomes.

A tie only occurs roughly 9.52% of the time, making it significantly less likely than the other options. Players can certainly win a huge amount of money if they can correctly predict a tie. This wager can payout at 8:1 or more depending on where you play.

Paying Commission in Baccarat

Another key part of standard baccarat games is paying commission. Players do not need to pay a commission on winnings if they wager on their own hand. There is, however, a 5% commission attached to winnings from wagers on the banker’s hand.

The commission is an important part of baccarat for the casino. It helps guarantee that the house edge stays in the game.

It also discourages players from only betting on the banker’s hand every round. Otherwise, every player would bet on the banker’s hand because it has the best odds of winning. You should account for the commission in your baccarat betting strategy.

Baccarat has been a popular casino game for hundreds of years. Dozens of baccarat betting strategies have been created over that time.

However, not all betting systems are created equal. Some strategies rely on counting cards or other illegal maneuvers.

Luckily, there are plenty of baccarat betting strategies that are perfectly legal to use in casinos.

The Martingale System

One of the most popular baccarat strategies around is known as the Martingale system. It is a progressive betting system that depends on huge wins to make up for any potential losses. This method relies on the concept of mean revision.

Essentially, the theory says that all markets will regress to their mean eventually. In baccarat, this means that if you play long enough you will hit the average return to player (RTP). This means that even if you are losing now, you should win eventually. In the Martingale system, players start by choosing a betting unit, such as $5. Then, if their initial wager loses, they double their bet. This process continues until they win. Your eventual winnings should cover any losses that you accrue along the way. There are several flaws with this method. First and foremost, most casinos have limits on the maximum amount that you can wager. So, a long losing streak could make it impossible to bet enough to cover your losses.

Also, you need a big bankroll for the Martingale system to work. Doubling your wager every time can get expensive fast. Your profit margin can also be razor thin at times if you hit a bad losing streak.

Reverse Martingale or the Paroli System

A popular variation of the Martingale system is known as the Reverse Martingale, or the Paroli system. In the original system, players increase their wagers after every loss until they win. The Reverse Martingale, as the name suggests, does the opposite.

To use this baccarat betting strategy:
You need to have a set betting unit. Then, you bet as you normally would. It is recommended to stay away from side bets for this system to be the most effective. If you win your wager, then you double your bet and play again. You continue to double your wager until you hit the table limit, or you lose. When you lose, you decrease your stake back to its original amount. The Paroli System can help players make the most out of hot streaks. However, it also makes it difficult to keep your winnings in your pocket. The money you win never leaves the table with you because it is immediately bet again.

Some players who use the Reverse Martingale automatically reset their wagering amount after a set number of wins. This makes the reverse Martingale a much more effective baccarat strategy. It allows you to actually claim your winnings instead of losing them all on a future wager down the road.

Fibonacci Betting System

You may remember learning about the Fibonacci sequence when you were in school. This series of numbers is made by adding the two previous numbers in the sequence together. The beginning of the sequence looks like this: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13.

Fibonacci’s sequence goes on indefinitely.
Players will only need to know the beginning of it for this baccarat strategy. Essentially, you use the Fibonacci sequence to determine your wager amount in this progressive betting system. You start with a betting unit you are comfortable with. For the sake of argument, let’s say that amount is $5. You place a $5 bet on the first round of baccarat, but you lose. So, on the next hand you wager $20, then $30, $50, and so on. The Fibonacci betting system is a progressive betting strategy. This means that you only increase your wagering amount when you lose. If you win, then you start over at $10, or whatever your original betting amount was.

As with other progressive systems, the Fibonacci baccarat betting strategy can be limited by the maximum table betting limits. Also, it can become expensive very quickly, as you are increasing your betting amount with every loss.

Labouchere Strategy

The Labouchere is one of the most popular baccarat strategies. It has many other names, such as the Split Martingale and the American Progression. Regardless of what you call it, this method can be extremely helpful when it comes to winning at baccarat.

To use this method:
You first have to start by creating a sequence of numbers, such as 1, 2, and 3. Then you start betting by adding the first and last numbers together. Using this example, you would wager $4 on the first round. If you win, then you simply bet $4 again. However, if you lose, then you add your previous wager to the end of the sequence. This means that your next wager would be for $5. After winning, you cross off the end numbers and continue the process. The Labouchere has plenty of anecdotal evidence to support it. Unfortunately, it is also an advanced baccarat strategy that can be hard to master. New players should stay away from this method until they have a better handle on the game itself.

Players with small bankrolls are also probably better off avoiding the Split Martingale. This progress system requires a huge financial investment to work properly. If you want to try it out, you can always use it in a free online baccarat game.

Oscar’s Grind Baccarat Strategy

Oscar’s Grind is another advanced baccarat strategy that experienced players have had success with. This baccarat betting system breaks the gaming session into cycles. It also involves increasing your wager at specific times.

To start:
You need to determine a betting unit you are comfortable with, such as $10. If you lose, then you keep the betting unit the same. Players only increase their wagering amount after their first win. You continue this cycle until you make a profit of one betting unit. After you reach a profit, you start the cycle over again. Let’s say you play a total of six hands with a starting bet of $10. You lose the first two hands but win the third round. You would then increase your bet to $20.  Then, you lose your next hand before winning the final two. In this example, you would make a profit of $10. You invested a total of $90 but won a total of $100. This system can be difficult to keep track of and it requires you to play for a long time before you make a real profit.

It takes a lot of effort to use the Oscar’s Grind baccarat strategy correctly. If it were easy, then “grind” would not be in the name. Still, this system can be profitable if you stick with it long enough.

D’Alembert Baccarat Strategy

The D’Alembert system dates all the way back to 18th century France. It has remained popular throughout the years because it is easy to follow. Also, it is an effective betting system that can help you win.

At its core, the D’Alembert is a type of progressive betting system.
However, it sets itself apart in the way you increase or decrease your bet. To start, you need to define your starting bet and the types of base units available. For instance, your starting bet may be $5, but the base unit for the game could be $1. In the D’Alembert baccarat strategy, you increase your wager by the base unit after each loss. So, if you lose a $5 bet, then your next wager would be for $6. You also do not go back to your original wager after a win. Instead, you decrease your bet by the base unit. Let’s say you lost two wagers in a row and are now betting $7. If you win, then your next bet would be for $6.

This baccarat betting strategy combines the best of both positive and negative progression systems. On one hand, your wins should cancel out your losses. On the other hand, you do not burn through your bankroll as quickly hoping for one major win.

Bet with the Banker Every Time

There are dozens of other baccarat strategies that you can try. The simplest baccarat online strategy is to always bet with the banker. The banker’s hand has the best odds of any baccarat wager of winning.

There are downsides to betting with the banker.
For instance, most casinos charge a commission on any wins from banker’s hand bets. Even if this fee is added, the banker’s hand still has the best house edge for the player. You can also find online baccarat games that do not charge a commission on these wagers. Instead, these games rely on other features to sway the house edge. A great baccarat strategy can account for these changes and allow you still win in the end. Betting on the banker is not the most exciting baccarat strategy out there. However, it is a great way to make sure you walk away a winner. It is also an easy strategy for new players to use while they are still learning how to play the game.

If you do use another baccarat strategy, you will likely still bet on the banker. The main difference will be how much you wager each time. This is because the banker’s hand gives any strategy the best chance of being successful.

How to Choose the Best Baccarat Betting Strategy

As you can see, there are plenty of baccarat strategies to choose from. New players could struggle with finding the right strategy to use. Here are some factors to consider when comparing which baccarat online strategy you want to use.

Playing Style

One of the main factors to consider when comparing baccarat betting strategies is the type of player you are.

If you want to take risks and swing for the fences, then you should look for a system that fits that mindset. Risky strategies can lead to huge paydays if you are successful. More conservative players would probably prefer less risky strategies. You are still gambling, so no baccarat winning strategy is without risk. There are, however, betting systems that can limit the risk put on the player.

Remember to lower your expectations with safer strategies. The lower risk usually leads to fewer rewards.

Experience

Another important factor for players to consider is their personal experience levels. If you are new to baccarat or gambling in general, we recommend sticking with a basic baccarat strategy. These systems are easier to learn, and you can always switch to a more complex system later on.

Experienced casino players may be more comfortable with an advanced baccarat strategy. A more complex strategy does not necessarily guarantee that you will win every hand. Of course, experienced players can use advanced betting systems to improve their odds of winning baccarat more often.

Setting

One factor that many people overlook when creating their baccarat strategy is the location they are playing in. Playing baccarat online is different than playing at a brick-and-mortar casino.

The casino itself may also have different rules that you need to factor in. For instance, casinos offer different payouts for a successful tie bet.

Some may offer 9:1 odds, while others only have 8:1. Knowing these differences and accounting for them should be a part of your baccarat betting strategy.

Style of Baccarat

As with most casino games, there is more than one variation of baccarat. Each style of baccarat has slightly different rules and betting options. A winning baccarat strategy should account for these variations in the game.

Your baccarat strategy for playing on a real money casino app should be different than playing at a land-based casino. First and foremost, the rules and types of baccarat available may be different. There are also different options for player rewards and betting limits.

The Size of Your Bankroll

A risky baccarat strategy can help you win money a lot faster than more conservative options.

They can also lead to a ton of losses.
As a result, risky betting systems can burn through your bankroll a lot faster. You also need to consider how long you plan to play when making your strategy. If you want to play long sessions, then you will need a larger bankroll to match your risky strategy.

On the other hand, conservative baccarat betting strategies can make it difficult to win money if you are only playing for a short amount of time.

Expert Baccarat Tips for 2022

A great baccarat winning strategy is only part of what you need to be successful. There are plenty of other issues to consider when you are playing baccarat at the best online casinos. Here are some more betting baccarat tips from our casino experts to help you be more successful.

Set and Follow Strict Limits

It is easier than ever to play baccarat online thanks to online and mobile casinos. However, this ease of access to casino games also has a downside. It is also harder to stick to the limits you set on your gambling.

Serious baccarat players need to have strict limits on the amount of money and time they are willing to invest. Remember, the casinos use the house edge to ensure they always come out on top. This means that if you play long enough you will lose all of your money.

Sticking to your baccarat strategy can help you avoid this issue. Set strict time and financial limits in your betting system. Then, stick to the limits that you set.

Manage Your Bankroll

Proper bankroll management is the key to any successful baccarat betting strategy. A good bankroll will account for everything from the amount you bet each hand to how long you plan to play.

Let’s face it:
Most of us have a limited amount of disposable funds to use on gambling. You need to balance your total gambling budget with how long you plan to play. Then, you can find a table with betting limits that fit your desired experience.

Once you have your bankroll in place, you need to stick to it. Some casinos allow players to set limits on the amount that they can gamble. These venues are great for people who struggle with sticking to their budgets.

Use Casino Bonuses

One of the best tips for new baccarat players is to take advantage of online casino bonuses. The right bonus can make all the difference in your gambling experience.

There are a wide variety of bonuses available online, so you are sure to find one that fits your needs. New players are often eligible for welcome bonuses that can help you increase your bankroll.

Some casinos even offer VIP programs to reward players who stick with them long-term. Using bonuses like these can help make up for some of the losses that occur while gambling.

Be Careful With High-Risk Bets

One of the biggest distinguishing factors between different baccarat games is the type of wagers available. Games such as Super 6 and EZ Baccarat offer special side bets for players to wager on.

These side bets can offer very attractive payouts. They also serve another purpose as well. These wagers are hard to win, and casinos can increase their house edge by offering them. The more players lose on these wagers, the better the house edge is for the casino.

Of course, that is not to say that you should avoid these bets altogether. Players should simply limit the number of times they wager on these high-risk side bets.

One of the biggest decisions you have to make before playing baccarat is which version to play. There are a ton of popular versions of baccarat that are available in contemporary casinos. You can find even more baccarat variations by playing online at the top online gambling sites.

American Baccarat

One of the most popular styles of baccarat that you will come across is American baccarat. This popular variation pits players against other players. Three players serve in their normal roles of being the bettor. Another three players assume the roles of bankers.

To keep the game fair, the role of the dealer rotates around the table. This ensures that all players involved get to enjoy the advantages of being the house. The player acting as the dealer has the advantage of winning any tiebreakers.

Baccarat Banque

Baccarat originated in Europe and is still wildly popular today. Baccarat Banque is one of the most popular versions of baccarat at contemporary European casinos. This version is so popular that some casinos use specially designed tables to allow for up to 16 players at once.

One of the biggest differences with Baccarat Banque is that it only uses three decks. Other versions of baccarat use up to eight decks in the show at once. This type of baccarat also offers more betting options as two player hands can be available at once.

Players do not have to bet until the first cards for each hand are dealt. Also, the total amount bet by players cannot exceed the wager of the banker. So, if the banker only wagers $3,000, then the total amount of players’ bets cannot be more than $3,000.

Mini Baccarat

Mini baccarat is the perfect game for players on a smaller budget. This version of the game uses a smaller table that usually has smaller betting limits as well. It is often considered the simplest version of baccarat to learn how to play.

One of the main differences in Mini Baccarat is that the role of the dealer does not rotate. Instead, the bank will always stay with the house. Players also never touch the cards in Mini Baccarat, which increases the speed of the game.

Punto Banco

The most popular type of baccarat in most countries is Punto Banco. In fact, many players even use Punto Banco and baccarat interchangeably.

This style of baccarat, which originated in Italy, pits the player against the dealer. There are no other players or bankers to deal with in Punto Banco.

Players wager on a set of three cards and the dealer matches their bet. The party who bets on the cards with the highest baccarat point total wins.

Super 6

Another extremely popular version of baccarat is called Super 6. This type of baccarat is often compared to real money craps games. Casinos and players alike enjoy Super 6 because it is a faster version of baccarat than other variations.

Super 6 games do not charge a commission on banker bets. However, you could receive a lower payout if the dealer lands a hand worth six points. There is also a special side bet called the Super 6, which is where the game gets its name.

Chemin de Fer

Chemin de Fer is one of the few popular versions of baccarat where a player holds the bank. This person starts each hand with a starting bet that other players must match in order to play.

In other versions, such as Punto Banco, the bank is always held by the casino. Many experts argue that Chemin de Fer is the original version of baccarat.

It can be a lot of fun, but you need a separate baccarat strategy based on your role as either a player or a banker. You should also account for the tactics the other players at the table are using.

EZ Baccarat

Players looking for a baccarat game with multiple side bets should try EZ Baccarat. This variation of baccarat offers special wagers called the Dragon 7 and Panda 8. These side bets are based on the outcome of the dealer’s hand.

The Dragon 7 wager has a payout of 40:1. A Panda 8 bet on the other hand pays out at 25:1. These bets can hit even if the dealer’s hand loses to the player’s hand.

FAQ Section


Unfortunately, there is no one baccarat betting strategy that is head and shoulders above the rest. The best system will depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of baccarat you are playing. We suggest that you try out multiple strategies to find the one that works best for you.

There are hundreds of casinos that offer legal online baccarat games. However, online gambling laws vary based on where you live. If you are able to play online casino games, then you should be able to easily find baccarat games. Check out our legal online casinos page to learn more.

Technically you do not need a betting system to play baccarat. Using a baccarat betting strategy, even in free games, can still drastically improve your chances of winning. Free games are also a great way to try new systems or perfect your preferred strategy.

Every baccarat player has their own preferences for which style is best. There is no specific way to determine which version is the best for every. Ultimately, the best baccarat game for you is the one that you enjoy playing the most.

Yes! The core of your baccarat betting strategy may stay the same. Online betting sites offer different betting limits, promotional bonuses, and more. You should account for these differences in your strategy so you can make the most of your playing time.

There are plenty of factors that contribute to online baccarat’s popularity. First and foremost, it has some of the best odds of any casino game. The game also carries a very low house edge and is readily available online. It is easy to learn and can be super fun to play. Baccarat has also been featured multiple times in James Bond films, which has helped it stay popular across generations.

Some gambling systems, such as counting cards, are forbidden in modern casinos. Luckily, most baccarat strategies do not rely on any illegal actions. Players are allowed to use baccarat strategies as long as they comply with the casino’s rules.

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