Dragon 7, Panda 8 and the rest of the side bets
The EZ table's two famous bets, plus a tour of side bets you'll meet elsewhere.
Open this lesson in baccaratton — free, play money
Dragon 7 (EZ only) wins when the Banker wins with a three-card 7: the same hand that makes EZ Banker bets push. Pays 40 to 1. It happens about once in 44 hands, so a fair payout would be about 43.4 to 1. Edge: 7.61%.
Panda 8 (EZ only) wins when the Player wins with a three-card 8. Pays 25 to 1. It happens about once in 29 hands (fair would be about 28 to 1). Edge: 10.19%.
Dragon 7 is the bet card counters target (lesson 17). Off the count, it's just an expensive thrill.
Other side bets you'll meet (not in the app's simulator; paytables vary, so check the sign):
| Bet | Wins when | Typical pay | Edge (8 decks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Either Pair | Either hand starts with a pair | 5:1 | 13.71% |
| Perfect Pair | Either hand starts with a suited pair | 25:1 (200:1 both) | 8.05% |
| Lucky 6 | Banker wins with a 6 | 12:1 two cards, 20:1 three cards | 16.68% |
| Big | The hand uses 5 or 6 cards | 0.54:1 | 4.35% |
| Small | The hand uses exactly 4 cards | 1.5:1 | 5.28% |
| Super 6 side bet | Banker wins with a 6 | 12:1 (15:1) | 29.98% (13.82%) |
| Tie at 9:1 | Tie | 9:1 | 4.84% |
None of them beats Banker's 1.06%. The best of these are the Big/Small bets and a 9:1 Tie, at 4–5%. The Super 6 side bet at 12 to 1 is among the worst bets in any casino.
Show the math: Dragon 7 and Panda 8, exactly (8 decks)
P(Dragon 7) = 19129247848/848912750595 ≈ 2.2534%. EV = 41·P − 1 = −64613588827/848912750595 ≈ −7.6113%. P(Panda 8) = 674456106496/19524993263685 ≈ 3.4543%. EV = 26·P − 1 = −153010345753/1501922558745 ≈ −10.1876%. Lucky 6: P(Banker wins with a two-card 6) ≈ 3.7247%, three-card ≈ 1.6617%; EV ≈ −16.68%. Big/Small (8 decks): P(4 cards) = 140356/370461 ≈ 37.887%. Small edge = 19571/370461 ≈ 5.2829%; Big edge = 22999/529230 ≈ 4.3457%. At 6 decks the same bets cost 4.3545% (Big) and 5.2687% (Small), the figures the Wizard of Odds lists.
Quiz
When does Dragon 7 win?
- Any Banker 7
- Banker wins with a three-card 7
- Player wins with 7
- A 7-7 tie
Show the answer
B: Banker wins with a three-card 7. Three cards, total 7, and the Banker must win.
Quiz
Which has the lower edge?
- Dragon 7 (7.61%)
- Panda 8 (10.19%)
Show the answer
A: Dragon 7 (7.61%). Both are expensive, and Panda 8 more so.
Quiz
Which of these side bets is the most expensive?
- Big
- Perfect Pair
- Lucky 6
- Super 6 side bet at 12:1
Show the answer
D: Super 6 side bet at 12:1. About 30%.