Baccarat bets and side bets: the house edge of every bet
Banker is the cheapest bet in baccarat at a 1.06% house edge, then Player at 1.24%. Every other bet costs more: Tie (8 to 1) costs 14.36%, the cheapest side bet is Dragon Bonus (Player) at 2.65%, and the dearest is Banker Pair at 10.36%.
What each bet pays and what it costs you on average, per bet placed. Exact for a full 8-deck shoe, Tie paying 8 to 1, ties counted as a push for Player and Banker.
Compare the bets in baccaratton — free, play money
Which baccarat bet has the lowest house edge?
| Bet | Pays | House edge | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banker | Pays 1 to 1, less 5% commission | 1.058% | Good bet |
| Player | Pays 1 to 1 | 1.235% | Good bet |
| Dragon Bonus (Player) | Player natural win 1 to 1 (natural tie pushes); win by 9: 30 to 1, 8: 10, 7: 6, 6: 4, 5: 2, 4: 1 | 2.652% | Fair |
| Dragon 7 | Pays 40 to 1 when the Banker wins with a 3-card 7 (EZ Baccarat only) | 7.611% | Costly |
| Dragon Bonus (Banker) | Banker natural win 1 to 1 (natural tie pushes); win by 9: 30 to 1, 8: 10, 7: 6, 6: 4, 5: 2, 4: 1 | 9.373% | Sucker bet |
| Panda 8 | Pays 25 to 1 when the Player wins with a 3-card 8 (EZ Baccarat only) | 10.188% | Sucker bet |
| Player Pair | Pays 11 to 1 when the Player's first two cards are a pair | 10.361% | Sucker bet |
| Banker Pair | Pays 11 to 1 when the Banker's first two cards are a pair | 10.361% | Sucker bet |
| Tie | Pays 8 to 1 | 14.360% | Sucker bet |
Are the side bets worth it? Only as entertainment: each one costs more per bet than Banker or Player. Banker vs Player vs Tie odds · Is the Tie bet worth it?
Every bet, one by one
Player
Pays 1 to 1. House edge 1.235% (Good bet) at Punto Banco (5% commission).
Bet that the Player hand finishes closer to 9. Even money; a tie pushes.
Tie
Pays 8 to 1. House edge 14.360% (Sucker bet) at Punto Banco (5% commission).
Bet that both hands end on the same total. Pays 8 to 1, and loses when either hand wins.
Banker
Pays 1 to 1, less 5% commission. House edge 1.058% (Good bet) at Punto Banco (5% commission).
Bet that the Banker hand finishes closer to 9. Pays 1 to 1 less 5% commission; a tie pushes.
Player Pair
Pays 11 to 1 when the Player's first two cards are a pair. House edge 10.361% (Sucker bet) at Punto Banco (5% commission).
A side bet that the Player's first two cards are the same rank. Pays 11 to 1.
Banker Pair
Pays 11 to 1 when the Banker's first two cards are a pair. House edge 10.361% (Sucker bet) at Punto Banco (5% commission).
A side bet that the Banker's first two cards are the same rank. Pays 11 to 1.
Dragon Bonus (Player)
Player natural win 1 to 1 (natural tie pushes); win by 9: 30 to 1, 8: 10, 7: 6, 6: 4, 5: 2, 4: 1. House edge 2.652% (Fair) at Punto Banco (5% commission).
A side bet that pays more the more the Player wins by.
Dragon Bonus (Banker)
Banker natural win 1 to 1 (natural tie pushes); win by 9: 30 to 1, 8: 10, 7: 6, 6: 4, 5: 2, 4: 1. House edge 9.373% (Sucker bet) at Punto Banco (5% commission).
A side bet that pays more the more the Banker wins by.
Panda 8
Pays 25 to 1 when the Player wins with a 3-card 8. House edge 10.188% (Sucker bet) at EZ Baccarat (no commission).
EZ Baccarat only: the Player wins with a three-card 8. Pays 25 to 1.
Dragon 7
Pays 40 to 1 when the Banker wins with a 3-card 7. House edge 7.611% (Costly) at EZ Baccarat (no commission).
EZ Baccarat only: the Banker wins with a three-card 7. Pays 40 to 1.
Why the edges are what they are: the free Baccarat course · glossary