Live baccarat strategies – understanding the best approaches

Online casinos offer plenty of different games that can be played. Blackjack, roulette and game show games have long been some of the most popular choices for live casino players. However, one game that is really fun to play is Baccarat. 

Now, you could be reading this and are an expert at Baccarat. Or the game could be completely new to you. What has made it so popular is that out of all live casino games, the odds aren’t overly stacked in favour of the dealer. Because of this, there are many different strategies that those who want to play Baccarat can employ. 

Baccarat – a quick guide 

Before we delve into the different strategies, let’s take a quick look at how Baccarat is played. 

The aim of the game is to predict whether a player or the dealer will have two cards that closest match a total of nine. The cards between 2 and 9 represent their values, a 10, J, Q, or King are worth zero, whilst an ace is worth 1. 

The betting for the hand takes place before the cards are dealt. If the worth of the two cards exceeds 9, let’s say 13, the game takes the value of the second card. So in this instance the 13 would become a three. 

If you bet on the player or the dealer, a winning bet is paid at 0:95:1. If you bet on the player (yourself), you will be paid at 1:1. There is also the option to bet on a tie which is paid at 8:1.

There could be a third card that is drawn but that can differ from casino to casino. This can occur if a hand is tied, or those playing have hands less than a value of 5.

What are some of the most popular Baccarat strategies?

So that’s the basics of the game decided, let’s dive into some of the different strategies that are on offer. 

Martingale Strategy

If a player is new to Blackjack but familiar with Roulette, they may know about the Martingale Strategy. It is a strategy where if a player loses they double their bet for the next hand. If a player bets £1 and it loses, their next bet would be £2. If that loses the player would then bet £4.

The idea behind the strategy – and it is just an idea – is that eventually the player could win and end up in profit. However, there are some massive pitfalls. It can turn out to be incredibly expensive. If a player goes on a losing run, they may end up staking way more than they initially wanted. Also, some casinos outlaw it. It may take a while for them to cotton onto the strategy, but a player could be stopped from playing it anytime. It may seem a foolproof strategy, but it comes with plenty of risk. 

Betting on Pairs 

As we have outlined above, betting on a hand to tie pays out the best odds and for some this is the way they play Baccarat.

The strategy of consistently betting on pairs requires patience. Statistically, it is the long shot option of the game and contains the biggest odds. Therefore the wins are likely to be less frequent than other strategies. The thinking is that when a tie occurs, the bigger odds with the bet will offset the losing hands.

If enough ties are made, then profit could happen. It’s a good theory in principle, but there is no guarantee that the ties will take place. Losses could easily mount up before a hand is tied. Staying in control when gambling is always the number one thing to remember, this strategy can put a little bit of stress on that.

Fibonacci

Again if you like roulette or blackjack, the Fibonacci strategy might be one you are already aware of. 

Like the Martingale strategy it is a strategy that is used when losing, but rather than doubling, it involves using Fibonacci mathematics.

Usually a Fibonacci sequence starts with £1. If that loses the player then bets £1. If they lose again they bet £2, the player would then bet £3, £5, £8, £13, £21, £34, £55 and so on.

The bet required uses the two previous numbers in the sequence. So a bet of £55 is generated using the stakes of the two previous bets – £21 and £34. Usually any Fibonacci sequences are played by betting on the banker. 

Just like the other strategies highlighted, risks are of course involved. If hands are losing one’s, then some big stakes could have to be put down and this could take player outside of their overall comfort zone when it comes to what they are betting. There is of course no guarantee a player will win hands and the sequencing could go on and on.

However, many prefer it over the Martingale strategy as it takes longer for the big losses to occur. A player has more time to think about their next bet and can usually stay in control easier when using it.

Betting on the banker 

If using sequences and doubling just seems like too much hard work, then it could be sensible to just bet on the banker. 

Just like in blackjack, the dealer in Baccarat always goes last so statistically there will be some players who will probably fall out of the running to beat them. If any decisions have to be made over a third card, by acting last, they have more information as to what decision they need to make. 

Statistically it is the safest on the table and is the most likely to take place. The odds for betting on the banker are less than others, but there are many that take comfort in that fact.