Even the most elementary baccarat research will tell you that the banker is the best choice you can make in this game. The same research will help you understand that the player bet is a slight underdog compared to the banker bet.
Despite the slight advantage that the banker bet presents, most players look at the similarity of the house edge and the banker’s bet commission and choose to wager on the player bet. However, Baccarat isn’t like the craps table where it’s advisable to bet with the shooter.
Table of Contents
Baccarat 101
Learning how to play baccarat will help you understand why a banker bet is an excellent option for you. In a baccarat game, the dealer and player receive two cards each and the objective is to get a number that’s as close as possible to 9. However, numbers 10 through King have a zero value, while aces have a value of 1.
If the total of any hand from the two cards exceeds nine, the first digit is eliminated. That means 16 becomes six. However, if the dealer or the player has eight or nine, that’s considered a natural and there will be no other cards dealt.
If there’s no natural, the player will be dealt another card on less than six and stand on getting 6 or seven. The dealer, on the other hand, stands on 7-9. However, the dealer’s action beyond the numbers depends on the player’s hand.
The drawing strategy in the banker’s hand is where this bet gets its advantage. That’s because the banker will only get a third when the player draws a tremendous advantage. However, depending on the results of the last card, the player whether the banker’s hand draws.
Baccarat gives you Choices
After comparing between a variety of Thai gambling sites and choosing the best baccarat website, you’ll only need to choose where to place your bet. In this game, you’ll only have a single chance to choose your bet, but there are three betting options available for you to pick. These betting options include the Player, the banker, or the tie bet.
The tie bet offers a payout of 8:1 if the banker and player tie the hand. Most players enjoy the thrill of wagering on the tie bet hoping to cash in big on the 8:1 payout, while others see it as a quick way to recoup the losses. However, the tie bet has a less than 10% chance of occurring.
The Player and Banker bets are the only two options worth considering when playing baccarat online. These two bets have a similar house advantage, but the banker bet is slightly the frontrunner.
Mathematics Favors the Banker’s Bet
The banker’s hand wins approximately 46% of the time, while the player’s hand is likely to win roughly 45% of the time and ties account for the remainder. However, because the tie pushes, that raises the likelihood of the banker’s hand happening to 51%.
The banker’s hand is a great option in that everything being equal, the player will hold the advantage. Imagine the amount of cash you’d get from the casino if you’re guaranteed a 51% win in the long run. However, casinos charge a commission as they can’t manage to have tables packed with players regularly taking their money.
While the small commission slightly tilts the house edge on the banker’s hand, it remains incredibly small at 1.06%. Unfortunately, you’ll still lose if you play long enough. However, the reduced house edge means you’re likely to get a hot streak and record some incremental wins.
Why the Banker Bet is the Best Choice
The banker’s bet features some of the best odds in any casino. The bet is well worth the commission charges, especially when you consider the expected loss and how far your cash can go. For instance, if you’re wagering $10 per hand and are playing 100 hands every hour, it means you’ll be putting in $1000 into your play every hour.
Considering that the expected loss is about 1.06% because of ties, your losses will be about $11 per hour. As such, you won’t need a massive bankroll to play baccarat for hours. However, you’ll need to have enough money to weather your losing streak, but not as much as you might need to play roulette or slot machines.
If you’re facing tight margins, you’ll be surprised by how regularly you win at the casino. That makes the banker’s bet the best option in baccarat if you’re in the casino market to spend hours on the tables and win often.
Does the Casino Commission Affect Your Winnings?
The casino charges a 5% commission on everything you win on the banker’s bet. That means if you wager $20 per hand, you’ll get $19 with every win. However, if you wager on the player’s bet, you’ll get a net profit of $20.
While the 5% commission might seem meager when betting low amounts of cash, it hits different to whales wagering $10,000 per hand. However, some casinos set a firm minimum commission, which significantly raises the house’s edge. As such, you’re better of trying another game if you can’t wager at least $20 per hand.
