Baccarat is a popular online casino game that involves just two or three cards. The hand that wins is the one that’s holding cards with the highest score. The game has three betting options: the player, the banker and the Baccarat tie bet strategy.

Traditionally, it is regarded as a game for high rollers, though recent online versions allow players who are looking to place smaller bets. 

The game uses an eight-card deck and they all have point values. Aces are worth one point; numbered cards have the same point value as their numbers; and the jack, king and queen have zero points. 

Players can choose to be either a banker or a player, and you can bet on either. The winning hand is the one that’s closest to nine. You can also bet on a tie, but this isn’t a good idea (we’ll get to this a little later). 

Each player is dealt two cards with a points total of between zero and nine. If your card combination comes to more than 10, you take the point value that’s after the one. So, say your two cards come to 15. You’ll disregard the one and you’ll have a total of five points. 

You can choose whether to add a third card, but should you choose to get one, the game gets more complicated. If you know the right baccarat strategy to win, then you stand a good chance of beating the odds. 

For beginners, all this sounds quite intimidating. You may want to read our article on How to play Baccarat.

Players flock to baccarat tables and are willing to bet big bucks whether they are playing online or in real life. This is mostly because there are few decisions to make, and with this game, the house has one of the lowest advantages.

The Best Players

The best baccarat players will tell you that for every hand you play, there is a chance that the house will win. Statistically, it’s difficult to beat the house edge, but that shouldn’t discourage you. 

You can be a successful baccarat player if you understand baccarat strategy and the different games. 

Having this knowledge makes the game fun, keeps you confident with every bet, and, best of all, increases your odds of winning. 

Don’t worry if you’re new to the game and it all seems a little confusing. The more you play, the better you’ll get, and with time, you’ll become good enough to win a significant percentage of the games you play. 

The first thing you need to understand are the betting options. There are three ways to go:

• The player
• The banker
• The tie bet

Most people will place their bets on either the player or the banker. The hand with the highest number close to nine is the winner. That said, the banker is usually considered the most favorable bet as it is believed to have healthier odds. Better yet, it has the lowest house advantage, so most people would rather place their bets here. 

Winning bets pay off 1:1, but if you choose to bet on the banker, it is important to keep in mind that there is a commission, usually 5%, that is deducted from your winnings. 

The player is generally considered to be the opposite of the banker. The bets also pay off 1:1, but the rules are not as favorable for the player as they are for the banker. So, why do people place bets on the player? They do this because it helps mix things up and keeps the game interesting. 

Some people recommend betting on both to spread your risk, but don’t forget that the risk also applies to you. You can win or lose from both. However, if you can afford it, this is one way to go. 

Understanding the tie bet

The tie bet gets a bad rap when it comes to baccarat strategy, and many who are new to the game often ask why they should bother with it at all. Indeed, tie bets are not recommended for beginners. This is because the house has significantly higher odds (almost 15%). The other reason is the nature of the tie bet itself.

A tie bet means that you’re wagering on the outcome of the player and the banker. You win if their points tie. If you understand even a little bit about probability, you’ll know that the odds of this happening are rather slim. 

However, there is a reason why people place tie bets. They pay 8:1 or 9:1, which means that should the player and the banker tie, you walk away with quite a bit in your pocket. 

However, you have to balance this against the fact that it is rare to get a winning tie bet. 

Statistically, you can win, on average, for every 11 hands played. Some people place tie bets of 8:1 because in certain cultures, eight is believed to be a lucky number. 

However, unless you are experienced in baccarat strategy, you shouldn’t take risks with tie bets. Many beginners who do this end up giving up on the game because it quickly stops being fun. 

Common mistakes to avoid when betting on the baccarat tie bet

The fact that winning a tie bet is statistically difficult doesn’t mean that you should never place bets on it. Those who understand baccarat strategy know that there are certain things you can do to increase your odds of winning. Although it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll win, it reduces your odds of losing.

• The most important advice when it comes to tie bets is to not bet until you understand the math behind them. The first thing you must do is decide what your limits are. Tie bets are fun, but they often result in losses. Be disciplined and don’t spend more than your limit. 
• Looking online, you will find players with plenty of baccarat tips who say that they have devised winning strategies for these bets, and that if you get a certain amount in a certain pattern, then you are more likely to win. These are unproven theories, and don’t forget that a lot of people who play baccarat are superstitious. They may believe in the numbers because they hold some special meaning in their lives. 
• You should also avoid placing bets on just any online site. Look for sites that are trusted. You may want to look at user reviews to find out if there have been any complaints about the site that you plan to use to place your bets. 
• The other important thing for those who place tie bets is to avoid placing large bets. It doesn’t matter if you have the money. Remember, the odds of winning are low. It is human nature to feel deflated if you place a large amount on a game and lose. If you want to venture into side bets, it is a good idea to place only small amounts. Treat it as a bit of extra fun. 

Managing your bankroll in baccarat

Beginners in baccarat are often told to be careful how they manage their bankroll, and you may be wondering what this is and what steps you ought to take. 

A bankroll is the amount of money you’ve set aside to spend in the casino. It is the budget you set for yourself for each gaming session. 

It doesn’t have to be equal to the value of your chips or the balance in your account. Rather, it is what you can prudently afford to spend. 

There is one basic and all-important rule in bankroll management: you shouldn’t spend more than you can afford to lose. Only use money that you know will not be missed in case it is lost. 

For each individual play, you shouldn’t spend more than 10% of the amount you have set aside for the session. If, for example, you plan to spend $200, you shouldn’t bet more than $20 on any play. 

Think about how many hands plan to play. It factors into how much you can afford to bet. 

Tie bets, as discussed above, are a notoriously difficult proposition, and they should be avoided as much as possible. If you choose to place a tie bet, make sure to wager just a small amount of money on it. Remember, it pays well, so if you win, you’ll multiply your money by several factors. 

Lastly, you must never chase losses. If you lose money, don’t try to recoup it by placing even more bets. This is how many casino players find themselves in trouble. Once you start chasing losses, it is difficult to stop. Stick to your budget and if you lose, be gracious and walk away. 

Conclusion

Baccarat is a rewarding game. It is low risk and doesn’t require much input from the player. This is not to say that you should go in blind. There are certain baccarat strategies that increase your odds of winning. 

From afar, tie bets look like a winning proposition. You are betting on both sides and the house takes only a small cut. Don’t let this fool you. Although rewarding, players rarely win. You must know the numbers and understand the game before you place a bet. 

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