Baccarat has been around for centuries, but it's still not losing its charm as one of the most exciting casino games out there. If you're a baccarat enthusiast, you're probably well aware of the two main bets in the game: Banker and Player.
But if you're new to the game, you may be wondering, should you always bet on the Banker in baccarat? Well, buckle up because this post is going to explore the ins and outs of these bets and give you a better understanding of the game so you can make an informed decision.
What Are Player And Banker Bets In Baccarat?
There are two main bets in baccarat: the Player bet and the Banker bet. The Player bet is placed on the Player's hand winning, while the Banker bet is placed on the Banker's hand winning. Both bets offer a 1:1 payout.
The Player Bet
The Player bet is placed on the Player's hand, winning the round. If the Player hand wins, the Player who placed the bet wins even money. That means if you bet £100 on the Player's hand and it wins, you may receive £100 in winnings plus your original bet back.
The Banker Bet
The Banker bet is placed on the Banker's hand winning the round. If the Banker's hand wins, the Player who placed the bet wins even money minus a 5% commission. That means if you bet £100 on the Banker's hand and it wins, you receive £95 in winnings (after the 5% commission is deducted), along with your original bet.
The commission is deducted because, compared to the Player bet, the Banker bet has a slightly higher chance of winning, so the commission is deducted as a way to balance the odds for the casino.
While the commission may seem like a drawback, the Banker bet has a slightly lower house edge compared to the Player bet.
Is It Better To Bet on Banker or Player In Baccarat?
Ultimately, the answer to this question is subjective and depends on your preference and betting strategy. Both the Banker and the Player have roughly equal chances of winning any given hand, with the Banker having a slight advantage with a win rate of around 45.86% compared to 44.62% for the Player.
Additionally, the Banker bet comes with a commission charge from the casino, usually 5%. That means the payouts for a Banker win may be slightly lower than for a Player win. Some players prefer to bet on the Banker due to the slightly better odds. Others prefer to bet on the Player for the potential of a bigger payout and a potentially more exciting game.
What Are The Odds Of Player VS Banker?
The odds of betting on the Banker versus the Player in baccarat are not too far apart. The house edge for betting on the Banker is 1.06%, while the house edge for betting on the Player is 1.24%.
The Banker has a slight advantage, with an average win rate of around 45.86% compared to 44.62% for the Player. That means that the Banker hand has the statistical advantage in the long run.
Can You Bet On Both Player & Banker In Baccarat?
Well, the answer to this is both yes and no. You can bet on both the Banker and the Player by betting on a tie. That means you are betting on the Banker and Player having the same card.
However, you cannot make a regular Banker and Player bet at the same time because that defeats the game's purpose.
So the only bet you can make is a tie bet. However, not a lot of players are fond of this bet, as the odds of a tie are very low (around 9.5%). In fact, the house edge for tie bets is a whopping 14.36%, which is much higher than either betting on the Player or the Banker. Be that as it may, because of its risky nature, the payouts for a tie are usually 8:1 or 9:1, which is much higher than the standard 1:1 payout for a Banker or Player win.
Many players avoid betting on a tie due to the high house edge, but others choose to place this bet for the chance of a larger payout.
Why Is The Banker More Likely To Win In Baccarat?
The Banker bet is a popular choice among experienced baccarat players because it has a slightly lower house edge compared to the Player bet. That is because the Banker hand is dealt second, and they can see the Player hand, so they know the value they have to beat, giving it a higher chance of winning.
In addition, the Banker bet pays even money minus a 5% commission, which is to offset the slightly higher chances of winning. Based on the value of the cards, the Banker and Player hands can each receive additional cards. The Banker hand is only dealt one additional card if the Player hand has a total value of 0 to 5.
If the Player hand has a total value of 6 or 7, the Banker hand does not receive any additional cards. That gives the Banker hand advantage over the Player hand, as the Banker hand receives more cards in most cases.
Conclusion
In conclusion, betting on the Banker in Baccarat can be a good strategy, as the Banker hand does have a slightly higher probability of winning. However, it offers a lower payout to balance this. It is also essential to remember that there is always a risk involved, regardless of which bet you choose to make. Baccarat is a game of chance, and nothing is guaranteed.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time.