Pro Baccarat Guide: Easy Strategies to Beat the House Edge

How Baccarat Works (Quick Overview)

Baccarat is a comparing card game played between two hands:

• Player
• Banker

The goal is to bet on which hand will total closest to 9—or if they’ll tie.

Card Values:

• Aces = 1
• 2–9 = Face value
• 10s and face cards (J, Q, K) = 0
• Only the last digit of the total counts (e.g., 7 + 6 = 13 → 3)

Baccarat Bet Types & House Edges

Bet	Payout	House Edge
Banker	0.95:1	1.06% Best bet
Player	1:1	1.24%
Tie	8:1 or 9:1	14.36%–15.75% Worst bet

Pro Tip: Always bet on Banker—it statistically wins just over 50% of the time.

Best Baccarat Strategies (Simple & Effective)

Strategy 1: Always Bet Banker

• The Banker hand has a slight edge due to drawing rules.
• Yes, there’s a 5% commission, but it still beats the Player bet long-term.

Why it works: It offers the lowest house edge of any standard casino table game bet.

Strategy 2: Follow the Shoe (Streak Tracking)

• Many players watch for trends—long streaks of Banker or Player wins.
• This is often referred to as the “Trend Switch Combat Strategy.”

How to apply:

• Wait for a clear streak (e.g., Banker has won 4+ times).
• Jump in and ride the streak.
• Stop when the streak breaks or set a win/loss limit.

Pro Tip: This doesn’t beat the odds but can help with discipline and rhythm.

Strategy 3: Flat Betting

• Wager the same amount every hand—no Martingale or chasing losses.
• Helps preserve your bankroll and avoid variance traps.

Why it works: Keeps your play consistent, simple, and psychologically stable.

Strategy 4: One-Sided Betting

• Stick with Banker or Player throughout a session.
• When you lose, take a break or sit out 1–2 hands.
• Continue with your chosen side.

Why it works: Reduces indecision and betting errors. Also lowers mental fatigue during long sessions.

Strategy 5: Avoid the Tie Bet

• Although it offers tempting payouts (8:1 or 9:1), the tie bet has a house edge of 14%+.
• Even when it wins, you’re giving up too much value.

Pro Tip: Unless you’re card counting or using side bet promotions, skip it completely.

Bankroll Management Tips from Baccarat Pros

Set Betting Units

• Decide on a unit size (e.g., $10).
• Bring at least 30–50 units to the table.

Play in Sessions

• Divide your session into rounds (e.g., 20 hands).
• Take breaks after each round.

Stop-Loss & Win Goals

• Set a stop-loss (e.g., 30% of your bankroll).
• Set a win goal (e.g., +10 units) and walk away when achieved.

Pro Tip: Winning in Baccarat is often about knowing when to stop.

Advanced Pro Tips and Insights

Know the Third Card Rule

While players don’t control the drawing, understanding how the third card is dealt helps you anticipate outcomes:

• Player draws a third card if total is 0–5.
• Banker draws based on more complex rules (including what card Player drew).

Track Trends (Big Road, Big Eye Boy, etc.)

Casinos offer trend tracking scoreboards. While not scientifically useful, they help some players stay engaged and consistent with their plan.

Use Mini-Baccarat for Volume, Live Baccarat for Control

• Mini-Baccarat is fast-paced—great for applying strategies quickly.
• Live Dealer Baccarat gives you more time to think and plan.

Conclusion: Simple Discipline Beats Fancy Systems

Baccarat is one of the few casino games where players have a real shot at keeping the house edge minimal. You don’t need complex systems—just a steady hand, smart bets, and the discipline to walk away when you’re ahead.

Final Takeaways:

• Bet Banker more often than not.
• Never bet Tie.
• Stick with flat betting or low-risk strategies.
• Know when to quit while you’re ahead.

Baccarat Third Card Drawing Rules Cheat Sheet

Hand	Action
Player total 0–5	Player draws third card
Player total 6–7	Player stands
Player total 8–9	Natural hand, both stand
Banker total 0–2	Banker draws regardless of Player
Banker total 3	Draws if Player’s third card ≠ 8
Banker total 4	Draws if Player’s third card is 2–7
Banker total 5	Draws if Player’s third card is 4–7
Banker total 6	Draws if Player’s third card is 6–7
Banker total 7	Banker stands
Banker total 8–9	Natural hand, both stand

Simulated Baccarat Hands & Trends

Hand #	Player Total	Banker Total	Winner
1	6	9	Banker
2	1	4	Banker
3	7	8	Banker
4	9	4	Player
5	1	6	Banker
6	2	7	Banker
7	4	9	Banker
8	8	8	Tie
9	3	5	Banker
10	8	2	Player