Baccarat Side Bets: Types, Odds & How They Differ
Baccarat is often thought of as a simple game where you bet on either the player hand or the banker hand. But there may be more going on if you notice optional side bets.
These are extra wagers on specific outcomes that sit alongside the main game. Understanding how they work, what they can pay, and how often they might occur can help you make more informed decisions if you decide to use them.
This guide breaks down some of the most common side bets in online and live baccarat offered under UK licences.
What Are Baccarat Side Bets and How Do They Work?
In baccarat, the main aim is straightforward: two hands are dealt, one called the player and one called the banker, and you bet on which one you think will have a total closer to nine. The totals are worked out by adding the card values together and only using the last digit. For example, a 7 and an 8 make 15, which counts as 5.
There is also a third option: you can bet on a tie. This wins if both the player and banker hands finish with the same total. A tie is less common than either hand winning outright, which is why the payout potential is higher. The exact return can differ depending on the casino or provider, but a common paytable is 8:1. Some versions may pay 9:1, though this tends to be less frequent. Because ties don’t happen as often, the house edge is higher compared to the main player and banker bets.
Side bets are extra wagers you can place in addition to your main choice. They don’t change how the cards are dealt, but they give you the chance to back other outcomes. For example, instead of just betting on whether the player or banker will win, you might bet that the first two cards dealt to a hand form a pair.
Some key things to know about side bets are:
- They are separate from the main bets, so you can win or lose on a side bet, regardless of what happens to your main wager.
- Each has its own payout rules, which should be listed in the paytable for that game.
- They are optional – you can take them or leave them each round.
Baccarat uses fixed rules for when extra cards are drawn, so it’s easy to see how side bets are decided. Even so, the results are still completely down to chance.
Popular Types of Baccarat Side Bets
Not every casino game offers the same side bets, but a few appear regularly in versions available to UK players. These are some of the most common.
Player Pair and Banker Pair
These bets pay if the first two cards of either the player hand or the banker hand are the same rank, such as two 4s or two Queens. You can bet on one or both. The usual payout is 11:1, though this can vary slightly depending on the provider.
Perfect Pair
A Perfect Pair goes a step further. It only wins if the first two cards of a hand match in both rank and suit, such as two 9s of diamonds. Because this is less common than a standard pair, the payout potential is higher, often 25:1. Some casinos may also offer a payout if both the player and banker hands start with Perfect Pairs, which is even rarer.
Big and Small
These bets focus on the total number of cards dealt in the round.
- Big wins when the two hands use five or six cards in total.
- Small wins when the round is decided with just four cards.
Because most rounds involve at least one third card, Big wins tend to be more often than Small. As a result, Small can pay more, if successful.
Dragon Bonus
The Dragon Bonus allows you to bet that either the player or banker hand will win by a significant margin, or with a natural total of 8 or 9. The payout depends on how big the winning margin is. For example, a nine-point win can pay up to 30:1, while smaller wins pay less. If the chosen hand wins with a natural, it usually pays 1:1. The structure can differ between providers, so it may be worth checking the table rules before playing.
3-Card Wins
Some baccarat games offer a bet that pays when the winning hand uses exactly three cards. It does not matter which hand it is, only that the side winning the round needed a third card. This is not available on every baccarat table, but when it is, the paytable should show the potential return.
How Do the Odds Compare for Different Side Bets?
Each side bet comes with its own likelihood of happening, which is why the potential payouts vary so much. In most UK-licensed online games, baccarat is dealt from an eight-deck shoe. Using this version as a guide:
- Player/Banker Pair – These usually occur in just over 7% of rounds and tend to pay 11:1.
- Perfect Pair – Less common at around 3% of rounds, with a higher potential payout of 25:1.
- Big – May appear in roughly half of all rounds. It typically pays 0.54:1, meaning a successful £1 bet returns £1.54 in total (£0.54 profit).
- Small – Settles in about 37% of rounds and can pay 1.5:1 (a successful £1 bet returns £2.50 in total, £1.50 profit).
These figures come from an eight-deck setup, but not all casinos or providers use the same rules. Some tables do not offer Big and Small at all, while others may use slightly different payouts. For that reason, it can be worth checking the paytable of the specific game you are playing.
Payouts and House Edge for Baccarat Side Bets
Payouts show what you stand to win, but the house edge gives you an idea of how much the game favours the casino over the long term. For the main bets, the banker side has a house edge of about 1.06%, and the player side around 1.24%. These are much lower than most side bets.
Side bets usually have higher house edges. For example:
- Player/Banker Pair: around 10%.
- Perfect Pair: between 13% and 17%, depending on the shoe size.
- Big: about 4.35%.
- Small: about 5.27%.
- Dragon Bonus: depends on which hand you back. On the player hand it’s about 2.65%, but on the banker hand it rises to around 9.37%.
The exact numbers can differ between casinos or software providers, so it’s important to check the rules and paytable of the game you are playing before placing any bets.
Are Baccarat Side Bets Worth Taking?
Whether you use side bets or not depends on personal preferences. Some people like the variety and enjoy watching for outcomes beyond the standard hands. Others prefer to keep things simple and focus on the main bets.
There is no strategy that guarantees you a win, because baccarat is a game of chance. What matters most is understanding how each bet works and making choices that fit your preferences. If you do try side bets, it may help to know they tend to offer bigger payouts, but also higher house edges.
If you choose to play baccarat, set limits on how much time and money you are comfortable spending. Take breaks, and avoid chasing losses. Gambling is never a way to make money, but a form of paid entertainment. If it stops being enjoyable, it may be time to step away.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.