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Baccarat Bet Types

Baccarat is a simple yet elegant casino game built around just a few betting options — but each has its own impact on your strategy and potential returns. Whether you're playing in a luxurious land-based casino or at a fast-paced online table, your main decision comes down to where to place your bet: Player, Banker, or Tie. Each of these core wagers carries a different payout, probability, and house edge. While the basic rules of baccarat remain consistent across most versions, understanding the nuances of each bet type — especially when factoring in commission or side bets — can help you make smarter, more confident decisions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the three main baccarat bet types, compare their odds, and help you choose the one that suits your playstyle.

Aria Williams
Published By:Aria Williams
Last Update:29.04.2025

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Want to learn how baccarat works? Check out our easy-to-understand guides. They cover the rules, strategies, game variations, and more to help you understand the game better.

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Baccarat Bet Types

Baccarat is known for its straightforward betting system, offering just three primary wagers: Player, Banker, and Tie. These are found in nearly every baccarat variant, including Punto Banco, Mini Baccarat, Midi Baccarat, and live dealer games. Understanding how each works — and what their mathematical edge is — gives you a strong foundation before diving into more complex strategies or side bets.

🃏 Player Bet

The Player bet is a wager that the Player hand will win by having a total closer to 9 than the Banker hand. It pays even money (1:1), and no commission is taken from the payout. While it doesn’t win as often as the Banker bet statistically, it offers a transparent and easy-to-calculate return, making it a great starting point for beginners. The house edge is 1.24%, slightly higher than the Banker, but still low compared to most casino games. For players who value simplicity and clarity, this is a solid choice.

💼 Banker Bet

The Banker bet is widely regarded as the best bet in baccarat, thanks to its lower house edge of just 1.06%. It statistically wins more often than the Player hand — due to how the third-card drawing rules slightly favor the Banker. To balance this edge, casinos typically charge a 5% commission on winning Banker bets, resulting in a net payout of 0.95:1. Despite the commission, the Banker bet remains the optimal choice for long-term profitability, and many experienced players recommend sticking to it throughout a session.

🔗 Tie Bet

The Tie bet is a wager that the Player and Banker hands will end in an exact tie. This is the highest-paying standard bet on the table, usually offering returns of 8:1 or 9:1 depending on the casino. However, its probability of winning is only about 9.5%, which gives it a much higher house edge — over 14% when the payout is 8:1. While it may be appealing for players chasing big payouts, the Tie bet is considered a high-risk wager that’s best used occasionally or for entertainment rather than strategy.

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📊 Baccarat Bet Types: Payouts, Probabilities & House Edge

Bet Type

Payout

Winning Probability

House Edge

Player

1:1

~44.62%

1.24%

Banker

1:1 (minus 5%)

~45.86%

1.06%

Tie (8:1)

8:1

~9.52%

14.36%

Tie (9:1)

9:1

~9.52%

4.85%

Want to try your baccarat skills? Play demo games to learn about different bet types, like Player, Banker, and Tie. Practicing in a risk-free setting helps you gain confidence, understand the odds, and get a better feel for how the game flows.

FAQ's

What are the main bets available in baccarat?
In baccarat, the three main bets you can place are the Player bet, the Banker bet, and the Tie bet. These betting options are available across nearly all baccarat variations, from classic Punto Banco to Mini Baccarat and live dealer tables. Each bet type offers a different payout and probability of winning, and understanding how they work is essential to developing a smart baccarat strategy.
How does the Player bet work in baccarat?
The Player bet is a wager that the Player hand will finish with a total closer to 9 than the Banker hand. If the Player wins, the bet pays even money (1:1) without any commission. The Player bet has a slightly higher house edge (1.24%) than the Banker bet but remains a popular choice due to its straightforward payout and lack of additional fees, making it ideal for beginners and casual players.
Why do Banker bets have a commission?
Banker bets generally charge a 5% commission on winnings because the Banker hand has a slight statistical advantage in baccarat. The game’s rules favor the Banker in terms of when cards are drawn, resulting in the Banker winning more often than the Player. The commission is applied to balance this advantage and maintain fairness for the casino while still offering players a bet with the lowest house edge in the game (1.06%).
What happens if both the Player and Banker tie?
If the Player and Banker hands tie — meaning they have the same total — bets placed on either the Player or Banker are typically considered a push, and the original stake is returned to the bettor. Only bets placed specifically on Tie will win, offering payouts of 8:1 or 9:1 depending on the table rules. Ties occur relatively rarely, with about a 9.5% probability in standard baccarat play.
Is it better to bet on Player or Banker?
From a purely mathematical standpoint, it is slightly better to bet on the Banker. The Banker hand has a higher probability of winning (around 45.86%) compared to the Player hand (around 44.62%), and even after accounting for the 5% commission, the Banker bet maintains the lowest house edge. However, many players still favor the Player bet because it avoids commission fees and offers simple, even-money payouts, making it a good second option.
Is the Tie bet a good betting strategy?
While the Tie bet offers attractive payouts of 8:1 or 9:1, it is generally considered a high-risk wager. The Tie bet has a much higher house edge — over 14% when paying 8:1 — and only wins about 9.5% of the time. Because of this, most baccarat strategies advise against betting heavily on Tie unless you specifically enjoy taking bigger risks for the chance of higher rewards. Strategic players usually focus on Banker or Player bets for better long-term results.
Aria Williams
Aria Williams
writer

Aria Williams, New Zealand's prominent voice in online casino game localization, masterfully fuses the thrilling world of gaming with the rich Kiwi spirit. Their deft touch ensures every game not only entertains but resonates deeply with the locals.