What will you learn from our Baccarat strategy guide?
When played right, Baccarat can provide a lot of fun for both experience and inexperienced player.
Assuming you are quite new to the game or wish to brush up on some of your already-acquired skills, we’ve compiled a page that covers the most important Baccarat strategies and how to learn them. Best of all, you can use these strategies while playing both online and live Baccarat!
4 important tips before you start
Although there are several things to bear in mind when playing a game of Baccarat, we’ve got some of the most important points to get you started:
- Get to know all the rules, odds, bets and payouts
- Choose a baccarat variant smartly
- Plan your budget – how much are you prepared to win or lose
- Don’t forget about the time you’re willing to spend on a game
Popular Baccarat Strategies
In a game of Baccarat, cards 2 through 9 are face value cards, and 10, Jack, Queen, and King have a value of 0, whereas the Ace card has a value of 1.
The objective in Baccarat is to get as close to the value nine as possible, and whichever hand you bet on to win, either the “Banker” or “Player”, will have a significant reward for you if that hand happens to win.
For example, if you bet on the Banker (dealer), and their hand wins, it will pay out 95 % of your bet.
Betting on the Player only means you believe your hand will beat that of the dealer, and very rarely is betting on a tie an option in a Baccarat game.
The suits of the cards dealt in Baccarat are completely irrelevant, and hand values are calculated based on the last digit of the total sum of the card values.
For example, if a player is dealt two cards that, put together, make up a two-digit number like 14, only the last digit will represent the hand’s value. In this case, that number would be 4.
What Baccarat strategy you choose ultimately boils down to two things, the rules of the Baccarat game you’re playing and what strategy you feel suits you best.
Below are some of the most common strategies found in Baccarat games.
1. The One-sided Baccarat strategy
The One-sided Baccarat will work for even the most inexperienced player.
This strategy requires players to stick to one bet, either “Player” or “Banker”.
It’s important not to lose three times in a row when using this strategy. If that does happen, however, you should wait for “your side” to win before you place another bet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to learn | Needs a stop-loss |
| A 3:1 possibility of winning | No tie-bet option |
2. The Trend Switch Combat Baccarat
During a game of Baccarat, the Trend Switch Combat allows you to switch from one trend to another.
This means that if you start the game by betting flat betting and then losing twice on one trend, you can switch to the other.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Players can profit from both trends | Wider stop-loss required |
| Freedom to switch between two trends | Players need to be aware of different trends |
3. Breaking the Doubles strategy
In a game of Baccarat, the Breaking the Doubles strategy, players are required to place bets on the opposites; PBPB, until a double streak is won, which, in this case, would be PPP or BBB.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zigzag-pattern strategy | Double Down required if target is not met |
4. Card Counting
Card counting is an extremely popular strategy used mostly in Blackjack games. However, this same strategy also works in Baccarat.
Card counting is when a player (you) keeps tabs on the cards being dealt to reach a total.
An example of this might be to add points for the different cards dealt, such as 1 point when an Ace card, or cards with the values 2 or 3, is dealt, while adding,
For example 2 points when a card with the value 4 is dealt. Cards with the value 10 are usually ignored when using this strategy.
| Cons | Cons |
|---|---|
| It lets you keep track of the card values spread on the table | Not as impactful as in a game of Blackjack. |
| It may help minimise the House Edge | Requires complete focus to get a total |
| Can make the game more fun | It can take time to learn |
5. 1-3-2-4 Baccarat strategy
The 1-3-2-4 Baccarat is quite another fun strategy to use in a game of Baccarat. This strategy is meant to increase your wager for each win you achieve.
If you lose while using this strategy, you only need to return to your initial wager and start over.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adds fun to a game of Baccarat | The House edge remains the same |
| A good way to keep one’s losses at bay | Not meant for serious Baccarat gameplay |
6. The Martingale System
The Martingale System is quite popular, especially in Blackjack. It can also be used in Roulette and, similarly, in Baccarat.
This strategy involves doubling your bet after any and every loss. Once you hit a win, you return to your original wager.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to learn and use | Not ideal for gameplay sessions that last for longer periods |
| No need to memorise any rules | Odds do not necessarily work in the player’s favour. |
7. The Fibonacci Strategy
While the Fibonacci Strategy, which follows the Fibonacci sequence, was originally used in Roulette, it can also be used in a game of Baccarat.
With this strategy, the next number is usually similar to the previous numbers. If you win, you move from one number to the next in a sequence, whereas you step back to two sequences if you lose.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Not as complicated as the Martingale strategy | Big losses may occur when this strategy is used |
| It can be used for long gameplay sessions, unlike the Martingale strategy | A sequence may need to be added to memory by inexperienced players |
8. The Paroli System
The Paroli System requires you to increase your wager after every win. Unlike many complex Baccarat systems, this one is quite easy to learn and doesn’t require too much time learning it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s quite easy to learn | Wins aren’t a given |
| It may give way to small but consistent wins | House edge remains unaffected by strategy |
9. The Labouchere System
Like the Fibonacci system, The Labouchere system is typically used in Roulette. However, the strategy can also be applied to a game of Baccarat.
This system requires a player to estimate a profit and continue playing until the initial estimate has been reached.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Players can adjust the betting sequence at the beginning | Not recommended for beginners as it is a complex system to learn |
| Allows players to gain control of the Baccarat game system is used due to the progression | Requires a somewhat large bankroll |
10. The D’Alembert System
The D’Alembert System is usually applied to Baccarat games where the chances of winning are evenly split; 50/50, in other words.
This system adds one unit to your next wager after each loss. On the other hand, after every win, you will subtract a unit from your next bet.
An important thing to note is this system can be used whether you’re betting on the banker or player.
Which Baccarat Strategy should you choose?
Which Baccarat Strategy you choose in a game of Baccarat depends on a couple of things. However, one of the most important things that should help you determine your chosen strategy is your experience level.
The more experienced you are, the more complex the Baccarat strategies you choose might be. Here are some of our recommendations based on experience level.
The best strategies to try when you’re new to a casino
When you’re new to Baccarat, you will want to avoid complex strategies, which may only lessen your chances of winning.
Some of the Baccarat strategies that might be the best to try when you’re playing Baccarat for the first time are the following:
- Martingale System – As previously explained, this strategy requires players to double their bet after each loss.
- One-sided Baccarat Strategy – This strategy typically involves players placing a bet on one side and sticking to it during a game of Baccarat.
- Paroli System – This system benefits new players by increasing their bets after each win.
Baccarat strategies to play if you’re a pro
If you’re a Baccarat professional, you’ve probably played your fair share of games and used different strategies. However, the most recommended strategies for experienced Baccarat players are the following:
- Card counting – As previously expressed, this strategy requires a lot of focus, not to mention patience and is best utilised by experienced players.
- Fibonacci Strategy –
Baccarat strategies that got the most wins
The strategies provided in this guide are designed to help you minimise your losses and potentially win during some of your Baccarat gameplays.
Betting with “The Banker” is easily the strategy that poses the lowest risk and typically sets the House Edge to 1.06 %.
Remember that no one strategy will guarantee you a win; however, plenty of strategies can help maximise your chances of winning, and some exist on this page.
General beginner mistakes easy to avoid
Several things can reduce losses and improve card games. Baccarat is simple and has a decent House Edge. Baccarat’s House Edge is respectable, but you shouldn’t take it lightly if you want to win large. Avoid foreign Baccarat strategies. Review our list if you’re unsure.
Our best suggestion is to study the Baccarat regulations before playing. Be familiar with the various Baccarat strategies. Also keep your mind the Baccarat variant you are playing. To test your skills, play a demo game of Baccarat first. Fun and not betting more than you can afford are crucial.