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Bonus bets in the baccarat game are called side bets. They are available regardless if you're playing at a land-based or online casino. Baccarat is a straightforward and thrilling game that relies heavily on luck. It's easy to learn and play off the bat, so it's become one of the go-to's for casual gamblers and beginners. Nevertheless, knowing side bets will help you navigate the game more successfully, so our casino experts have prepared this side bet guide.
Additional wagers on specific outcomes besides the primary bets in baccarat are called side bets. Main bets on the Player, Banker, or Tie hands have a lower house edge when compared to side bets. Therefore, there are other popular betting options. However, the higher risk of side bets adds extra excitement, making them a well-favoured choice for baccarat players.
To help you learn about betting options in more detail, we’ve summarized the most common baccarat side bets. When learning how to play baccarat, these bets can add excitement to the game, offering higher payouts with unique conditions and outcomes.
With a house edge of 6.53% for all black and 14% for all red, this side bet requires the player to wager on the fact that the player's hand will contain either of the 2.
Players can place a bet on the Banker’s hand winning with a total of 6 points. The standard Banker bet has a 1:1 payout, whereas the Super 6 pays 1:12. It’s a high-risk bet as the house edge is a whopping 29.98%.
To win the Bellagio Match bet, you must predict either the banker or the player will have a three-of-a-kind. Wagering on the player's hand puts the house edge at 5.27% with 75:1 payouts, and betting on the banker carries an 8.57% house edge with 68:1 in payouts.
You can win 40:1 of your initial bet with the Dragon 7 bet. The house edge for it is 7.61%. The bet is won if the sum of the banker's three cards is 7.
Another profitable side bet is the Panda 8. It’s a wager on the Banker winning with a total of 8 points. Payouts for this bet are typically 25:1, while the house edge is around 10.36%.
Wagering on the Player’s or Banker’s hand to form a pair of cards is called the Perfect Pair side bet. Two cards of the hand must be of the same rank and suit to form this bet. Payouts are 25:1, and the house edge is approximately 5.27%, depending on the baccarat variation.
This side bet requires the dealer to win with a hand worth of 6. The Lucky Bonus bet’s payout is 18:1 (the house edge is 2.34%), but it’s only available if the player bets on a banker in the same round. Another variation of this is the previously mentioned Super 6 side bet.
This bet depends on the number of cards dealt during the round, regardless of their rank or suit. If the round in the game ends with four cards, the Big and Small bet’s payout is 3:2. If the round finishes with a combined number of five or six cards, the payout is 2:1.
This bet has several varieties. One of the Combined Value Bets determines whether the cumulative value of player and banker hands will be over or under 9.5. Another considers whether the combined outcome is odd or even. There's also a popular combined bet called Quik, which has specific point ranges and payouts:
We've summarized side bet payouts to help you choose which to wager. You can compare them to make the choice based on payout rates and house edge.
| Side Bet | Payout Rate | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| All Black or All Red | 22:1-24:1 | 6.53%-14% |
| Super 6 | 12:1 | 29.98% |
| Bellagio Match | 68:1-75:1 | 5.27%-8.57% |
| Dragon 7 | 40:1 | 7.61% |
| The Panda 8 | 25:1 | 10.36% |
| Perfect Pair | 25:1 | 5.27% |
| Lucky Bonus | 18:1 | 2.34% |
| Big and Small | 3:2-2:1 | 4.35%-5.27% |
| Combined Value Bet (Over/Under 9.5) | 1:1 | 4%-4.5% |
| Combined Value Bet (Odd or Even) | 1:1 | 4.35% |
| Quik Combined Value Bet | 1:1-50:1 | 2%-3.5% |
Whether you include or avoid side bets in your gameplay, remember that baccarat is a game of chance. As a result, no strategy can minimize the house edge. Your choice to play side bets or not boils down to whether you want a more risky game. Incorporating a few side bets for excitement may be counterproductive if you aim to minimize risk using mathematical baccarat strategies.
Yet, if you view the game as entertainment and have enough budget, it can be fun to try them out. Check out our Canadian online casino reviews to put your new knowledge of baccarat side bets to the test and see if luck is on your side!
Are baccarat side bets worth it?
Baccarat side bets are worth it to add extra excitement to the game. Generally, side bets in baccarat come with a higher house edge than the main ones. Therefore, evaluate whether placing a side bet is worth it based on your playing style and budget.
How to place a side bet in baccarat?
You can place a side bet in baccarat after you’ve made the main bet. Side bets are usually marked marked on the betting table. You have to put the chips in the designated area on the table.
Which baccarat side bet has the highest payout?
The baccarat side bet with the highest payout is Bellagio Match. Depending on whether you place a bet on the Player or Banker, the payouts, respectively, are 75:1 and 68:1.
