When we talk about Baccarat odds, there are three things we could be referring to: win probabilities, house edge, and payouts. Luckily for you, I’ll be covering all three in this brief little look at the odds of the three main Baccarat bets.
If you’re unfamiliar with the game, check out our post on how to play Baccarat first.
Baccarat Odds At A Glance
Here’s a handy little Baccarat odds chart of the win probability, house edge, and payouts of each of the three main bets in Baccarat:
Bet | Win Probability | House Edge | Payout |
Banker | 45.86% | 1.06% | 0.95/1 |
Player | 44.62% | 1.24% | 1/1 |
Tie | 9.52% | 14.36% | 8/1 or 9/1 |
Let’s dive a little deeper into what these figures actually mean for each bet in turn.
The Banker Bet
When you play Baccarat online, there are three bets you can choose from: Banker, Player, and Tie. I’m starting with the Banker bet because this is actually the most played bet in Baccarat. Read on and I’ll tell you why.
Out of the three main Baccarat bets, the Banker bet has the higher win probability at 45.86%. That effectively means it comes up more often than the Player bet or the Tie bet.
In terms of the house edge (that’s the cut the casino gets), the Banker bet offers the lowest out of the three bets at 1.06%.
Win with a Banker bet and you’ll get back just under even money at 0.95/1. Why not exactly evens? A 5% commission is charged on all winning Banker bets. Read about the Player bet to find out why.
Here’s an example of a winning Banker hand:
- Player: 3, 5
- Banker: 6, 3
The Player Bet
On the other side of the Baccarat table is the Player bet, the main contender against the Banker bet. However, contrary to what you might assume, the Player bet does not offer the same odds as the Banker bet! Let’s look closer…
The win probability of the Player bet is 44.62% – that’s over 1% less than that of the Banker bet. So already you’re at a disadvantage by choosing the Player bet as it doesn’t come up quite as often as the Banker bet.
The Player bet’s house edge is also less favourable, sitting at 1.24% – that’s 0.18% more than for the Banker bet. It doesn’t sound like much, but every little sliver of an advantage counts!
What about Baccarat payouts for the Player bet? A winning bet on Player pays out evens (1/1). Since you’re already at a disadvantage by opting for the Player bet through the lower win probability and higher house edge, Banker bet wins are charged an extra 5% commission to balance things out a bit.
Still, overall, the Banker bet is the better option when it comes to good Baccarat strategy.
Here’s an example of a winning Player hand:
- Player: 3, 6
- Banker: 4, 2
The Tie Bet
Of course, Baccarat isn’t just about Player v Banker. You can also opt for the Tie bet. So what kind of Baccarat odds are offered on the Tie bet? Let’s see…
The winning probability of the Player and Banker tying is 9.52%, so it’s obviously much less likely to happen than a Player or Banker win.
The house edge for the Tie also skyrockets compared to the Player and Banker bets, sitting at an eye-watering 14.36%.
Still, if your Tie bet does come up, Baccarat payouts dictate that you get 8/1, which is greater than the payouts of either of the other two bets.
Here’s an example of a winning Tie hand:
- Player: 3, 4
- Banker: 6, A
Try Baccarat
Baccarat may appear to be a game of equal footing between the two main Player and Banker bets, but closer inspection of Baccarat odds reveals a very different situation. Along with Baccarat side bets, this is one aspect of the game that makes it so fascinating to play. Opt for the Banker bet in your next Baccarat session!
FAQs
No. Interestingly, thanks to the Tie bet and rules regarding third card drawing, the win probability is 45.86% for Banker, 44.62% for Player, and 9.52% for the Tie.
That depends on how you look at it. If you analyse the win probability, house edge, and payouts of the three main bets, you’ll see that the Banker bet offers the best Baccarat odds overall. Looking exclusively at payouts, the Tie bet offers the best odds at 8/1.
Baccarat strategy involves considering Baccarat odds, but there’s more to it than that. Check out our post on Baccarat strategy to learn more.