Why Use a Baccarat Betting Strategy?
Baccarat is a game of chance, meaning players can’t control its outcome. But this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn about betting strategies for baccarat. Baccarat strategies can have a very positive outcome, as they allow players to have better control over their bankroll.
A good baccarat betting strategy can make you more confident and consistent with your bets. A baccarat strategy to win is a system that tells players when to change their bets depending on the table’s outcome.
Do strategies ensure a victory?
As previously mentioned, baccarat strategies aren’t designed to ensure victories or help players make a profit fast. Their goal is to provide consistent results over time, helping players minimize losses by giving them the tools to analyze the game and act accordingly.
Even though they don’t guarantee wins, baccarat strategies can still be worthwhile. By learning to control your bankroll, you will last longer at the table.
Many players, including seasoned professionals, follow betting strategies for baccarat, which helps prove their efficiency in the long run. They also teach players the game’s odds and payouts, keeping the house edge to a minimum.
Top Baccarat Strategies
Baccarat tips can provide an advantage by helping players be more confident of placing smarter bets. There are various strategies available, some more complex than others.
However, they all have one thing in common: In the long run, they can become winning baccarat strategies, providing good results. We’ll walk you through the best strategies on how to win baccarat, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player.
One-sided baccarat strategy
Baccarat has two main bets – “Player” or “Banker”. This baccarat betting strategy states that players must choose a position and keep betting on it. What’s good about “Player” and “Banker” bets is that both have a low house edge, meaning players have a good chance of winning.
The odds of winning with a “Player” bet are 44.62%, while “Banker” bets win 45.86% of the time. This means that, at some point in the game, the “Player” or the “Banker” position can win multiple times in a row, which can help players win more frequently.
If you’re looking to use this baccarat strategy to win, we recommend implementing a stop-loss or a similar mechanism, usually between three and six losses in a row. Once you lose several times in a row, you should withdraw from the game and join back whenever your chosen side lands again.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Chance of winning is close to 50%. | Not compatible with tie bets. |
| One of the easiest winning baccarat strategies. | Requires a stop-loss system to avoid big losses. |
| “Player” and “Banker” bets have the lowest house edge. |
Trend switch combat baccarat
This baccarat betting strategy is similar to the one-sided strategy, albeit it requires players to identify the current trend and switch to it. A trend can be determined once players lose twice a row. At this point, they should change their bet to the other position.
Let’s say you’re betting on the “Banker”. If you lose twice in a row, you should change your bets to the “Player”. Due to the frequent changes in bets, players should implement a higher stop-loss system.
However, with a higher stop-loss comes more risk. Therefore, the trend to switch combat baccarat strategy is recommended for larger bankrolls.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Allows players to win on both trends. | Identifying the current trend can be tricky for new players. |
| The house edge changes as you place different bets. | This strategy needs a higher stop-loss system, which can result in bigger losses. |
| The chance of winning remains close to 50%. | Isn’t compatible with tie bets. |
Breaking the doubles strategy
This baccarat strategy benefits from what enthusiasts call a zigzag trend – an alternate pattern of wins between the “Player” and the “Banker” positions. The goal is to place bets on the opposing side of the zigzag trend. You’ll have a profit whenever you manage to win twice in a row.
Consider the following sequence of wins, where “P” stands for “Player” and “B” stands for “Banker”: P B P B P B P B P B
Players attempting to use the breaking the doubles baccarat strategy should bet on the “Player” in the following round. If the “Banker” wins, players must double their wager and bet on the “Player” again. After winning, players are recommended to wait for a new zigzag pattern and bet accordingly.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Very popular among experienced players. | Must be used with a high stop-loss system. |
| Not the easiest strategy to learn. | Players must double whenever they lose. |
| One of the best strategies for high-rollers. | Not compatible with tie bets. |
Card counting in baccarat
Card counting is tricky in most casino games, but not in baccarat. This baccarat strategy involves assigning numbers to specific cards and betting whenever the result seems favorable. Still, players require an intermediate level of knowledge to learn this baccarat betting strategy.
Players should start counting from zero. Aces, twos, and threes are worth +1, and fours are worth +2. On the other hand, fives, sevens, and eights are worth -1, and sixes are worth -2. Tens, jacks, kings, and queens are worth zero. See the scores in detail in the table below:
| Card Landed | Counting Score |
|---|---|
| Ace, 2 or 3 | +1 |
| 4 | +2 |
| 5, 7 or 8 | -1 |
| 6 | 2 |
| 10, J, Q or K | Zero |
If the total score is above 16, players should bet on the “Player” position. If the score is below 16, players should bet on the “Banker”.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Can lower the house edge. | Requires more experience than other baccarat strategies. |
| Allows players to easily track the game’s progress. | Players must constantly pay attention to the cards. |
| Simpler than most casino card counting systems. |
1-3-2-4 baccarat strategy
This baccarat strategy is similar to the typical betting sequences you’d find in blackjack and roulette games. Essentially, it requires players to increase their wagers with every consecutive win. One detail about this strategy is that players will always turn a profit as long as they win the first two bets.
To start, players must bet $1. If they win, they need to increase their bet to $3. If they win, they should lower their stake to $2. However, if players lose, they need to restart the sequence. See the practical example in the table below:
| Bet | Bet Value | Win/Loss | Profit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $1 | Win | +1 |
| 2nd | $3 | Win | +4 |
| 3rd | $2 | Win | +6 |
| 4th | $4 | Loss | +2 |
Winning the first two bets is what guarantees a profit. If you lose the third or fourth bet, you’ll always end with a net profit of two times your first wager ($1).
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Easy to learn and memorize. | Lower profits compared to other strategies. |
| Will always turn a profit if you win the first two bets. | Can result in losses if you can’t win twice in a row. |
| The house edge remains consistent throughout the sequence. |
Which Strategy Should I Pick?
It all comes down to a matter of preference. However, some betting strategies for baccarat are preferred by beginners, while others are more suitable for experienced players. Therefore, we recommend picking a strategy based on your skill level.
Some casino games have different strategies for different variants, but this isn’t the case with baccarat. As baccarat variants tend to keep the same basic rules and gameplay features, baccarat strategies can usually be applied to several variants.
Check out which winning baccarat strategies are better for beginners and professionals in the table below:
| Best Strategies for Beginners | Best Strategies for Professionals |
|---|---|
| The one-sided strategy because it’s easy to learn and has a low house edge. | Card counting because it’s harder to learn and can lower the house edge. |
| The 1-3-2-4 strategy because it’s easy to memorize and the house edge doesn’t change. | Breaking the doubles because it’s suitable for high rollers, but it’s hard to learn. |
Top baccarat strategies for beginners
If you’re a beginner, you should use a baccarat strategy that’s easy to learn and memorize. As you don’t have a lot of knowledge about the game, it’s best to stick to simple strategies, such as:
- The one-sided baccarat strategy – One of the most basic baccarat strategies, making it great for beginners. Still, it can offer good returns and keeps the house edge low.
- The 1-2-3-4 baccarat strategy – It’s very easy to memorize, which is why it’s so popular among beginners. It’s also commonly played with lower stakes.
Top baccarat strategies for professionals
Professionals will benefit from complex strategies that vary based on the game’s situation, such as:
- Card counting – This strategy can help reduce the house edge, increasing the player’s performance.
- Breaking the doubles – This is one of the most popular strategies among high rollers, as they have a chance of doubling their bankroll.
Short or Long-term Baccarat Strategies?
Baccarat strategies work long-term, as they’re designed to help players manage their bankroll and limit losses.
Winning baccarat strategies will not guarantee an immediate profit but will result in accumulated gains over a longer period. Winning short-term is a matter of being lucky with your bets.
Avoid Beginner Mistakes – Top Baccarat Tips
Baccarat is one of the easiest casino games, which is why many players love it. However, there are still many strategies that you can use to improve your baccarat knowledge.
We’ve compiled a few beginner mistakes and baccarat tips to help you make the most out of strategies. Have a look.
Baccarat Tips to avoid general beginner mistakes
- Not knowing the game’s concepts.
Most beginners aren’t aware of the game’s concepts and terms. Luckily, you can check our baccarat lingo page to learn everything about this exciting casino game.
- Using a strategy that doesn’t match your skill level.
Different skill levels require different strategies. If you’re a beginner, the 1-3-2-4 or one-sided strategies are better.
- Worrying about the “Banker” commission.
Many players think the banker’s 5% commission will ruin their profits. The “Banker” bet has a lower house edge, even with the commission.
- Thinking strategies will beat the system.
There’s no such thing as “beating the system”. These tried and tested strategies help you be consistent, not break the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
