You may think of baccarat as just another tabletop classic that casinos feature on their busy gaming floors. Yet, baccarat is a game that goes much deeper into that. In Southeast Asia, the game is frequented by some of the region’s most well-heeled gamblers. Big spenders and high rollers tend to converge on baccarat tables and play this specific game above all others. You can judge how popular the title has become by the fact that MrBet Canada, one of the foremost Internet casinos, has similarly featured many different versions of the title in its own game library.
While it is a game of distinct pedigree and quite a bit of popularity, players need to understand it a bit better before they play. There are usually three types of bets that you need to consider and study a little closer to get a good idea of what the game is all about. Let’s explore them a little further right now.
The Basics of Baccarat Bets
Baccarat is usually a game that is very simple, despite the fact that it is played by players who tend to spend large amounts. It does appear to be quite selective about who can play the game, and it attracts a well-heeled crowd – this much is true.
But anyone can play baccarat, and it’s not necessarily an expensive or even exclusive game to play per se. There are several things that you need to understand, though, and that involves the types of bets you are permitted to place – there are three of those: Player, Banker, and Tie.
| Bet Type | Payout | House Edge |
| Player | 1:1 | 1.24% |
| Banker* | 1:1 | 1.06% |
| Tie | 8:1 or 9:1 | 14.36% |
*The Banker bet features a 5% commission because it has a slightly higher chance of turning up – around 50.68% compared to the Player bet, which has a probability of 49.32%. The commission is meant to make players not always bet on the Banker’s bet.
These are the three types of wagers you can place in a game of baccarat. This all sounds pretty simple, and, well, it is. Now, when you read about Player and Banker bets, you may be thinking that you are betting on your own hand or the house’s.
Well, to be fair, the names are completely independent of who is playing them. In other words, there is a wager type called Player, Banker, and Tie. You are just betting on whatever cards turn up there, independent of who is playing with their hands.
To put it another way, each of these three wager types and their respective sectors will be dealt cards. You are essentially betting on the outcome of each of these sectors and have no influence over the game and cards.
This is unlike blackjack, where players will actually make strategic decisions based on the dealer’s upcard and their own hand. While blackjack is a touch more involved in a sense, baccarat online prefers to do away with this element.
More Bets to Try Playing Baccarat!
Alright, but is baccarat a game that only comes down to 3 main types of wagers? As it turns out, not quite – there are more! Baccarat may actually feature a number of extra bets that are besides the ones that you commonly find in the game – Player, Banker, and Tie.
Since the game is played with two cards per sector, you can bet on either the Player or Banker having a pair. This side wager is something you bet extra and the payout is 11:1, so pretty decent! But what about the house edge? It’s about 10.36%, which means that you have a decent chance but still risk a fair bit.
If you want to really push your luck and up the stakes for the potential reward, players will then have the opportunity to bet on a Perfect Pair. This means that you get the same cards from the same suit! It’s a pretty rare occurrence, but this is precisely why you would get a 25:1 payout if you did!
Another wager that you can encounter when you play is the Big or Small. A Small is a bet on the total number of cards shared by the Banker and Player being 4. The Big is a wager on the combination of total cards across the Banker and Player being 5 or 6.
It’s a pretty fun bet but it doesn’t offer that much in the payout sense. Rather, players can be tempted to use it to break the routine a little and add a bit of excitement!
Are Side Bets Worth It?
Most of the action in a game of baccarat will focus on the main bets – Player, Banker, and Tie. Sometimes, you will similarly be offered a chance to bet on the side bets, but whether you should – well, this depends entirely on you! There is no pressure to explore the game’s side bets, but if you choose to – you absolutely should! Players who are new to baccarat may find themselves a little hesitant at first, and this is completely understandable. Just play the game at your own pace and have fun!
