Baccarat is already one of the simplest card games in the casino, but there’s more to it than just betting on Banker or Player. Side bets add extra options and potentially larger payouts, although they carry different odds and risks compared with the main bets.
If you’ve ever wondered what those extra wagering choices mean, or how much you could win (and how often), this guide explains the most common side bets, their payouts and house edge. Read on to see which bets offer interesting value and which are mainly there for variety.
Ready to discover which side bets are worth trying and which to approach with caution? Let’s get started.
What Are Baccarat Side Bets?
Baccarat side bets are optional wagers placed alongside the main Player, Banker bets or Tie bets. They let you bet on specific outcomes within a single round—things like whether the first two cards will form a pair, whether a hand will win by a large margin, or how many cards will be dealt that round.
Because side bets target narrower outcomes, their payouts tend to be higher, but the chances of winning are usually lower. That combination creates a bigger house advantage in most cases. You can still play a straightforward game by ignoring side bets entirely; they are simply additional ways to vary the experience and potential returns.
Popular Baccarat Side Bets & How They Work
Baccarat tables often present several side-bet options alongside the main game. Below are the most commonly offered types and a clear explanation of how each one functions.
Dragon Bonus
Dragon Bonus pays when the Player or Banker wins by a substantial margin or with a natural (an 8 or 9 on the first two cards). Payouts increase as the winning margin grows, so a narrow win may pay little or nothing, while a large-margin win pays considerably more. The exact payout schedule differs between venues, but the principle is consistent: bigger beat equals bigger payout.
Pair Bets
Player Pair and Banker Pair are wagers that the first two cards dealt to the chosen hand will form a pair (same rank). These bets look for an immediate match and resolve quickly, since they rely only on the initial two-card deal.
Perfect Pair
Perfect Pair is a tougher version of the Pair bet: the first two cards must match in both rank and suit. Because suits must match as well as ranks, the event is rarer and the payoff is correspondingly higher.
Big & Small Bets
Big and Small bets focus on how many cards are dealt during the round. A Small bet wins if only four cards are dealt (neither side draws a third card). A Big bet wins if five or six cards are dealt in total. These bets don’t depend on who wins the hand—just on how the drawing rules play out.
Tie Bets
Tie bets predict that Player and Banker will finish with the same point total. Ties occur infrequently, and the payouts reflect that relative rarity.
If you want variation while keeping your main strategy unchanged, side bets let you do that. They’re optional but often tempting: just be aware of the different risk profile compared with Player and Banker bets.
Transitioning from what these bets are to how often they land will make those risks clearer, so next we’ll look at the odds for each side bet.
What Are The Odds Of Baccarat Side Bets?
Each side bet carries its own win probability, and those probabilities explain why payouts and house edge vary so much between them.
Dragon Bonus
Odds depend on the margin of victory and whether you bet on Player or Banker. Smaller margin wins are far more common than blowouts. For example, a natural nine will be paid generously but is relatively uncommon; an extreme margin such as a nine-point difference is rare and therefore attracts a high payout. The distribution of margins means most Dragon Bonus wins are modest while the biggest payouts are infrequent.
Pair Bets
A Player Pair or Banker Pair typically has a win rate of roughly 7–8%. That low probability underpins the higher payouts these bets offer compared with the main game.
Perfect Pair
Perfect Pair outcomes are rarer still, with probabilities in the mid-single digits. The requirement for matching suit as well as rank is what makes this bet difficult to hit, and why the listed payouts can appear attractive.
Big & Small Bets
Small bets (exactly four cards dealt) win in around one-third of rounds, while Big bets (five or six cards) win in the remaining two-thirds. These percentages are higher than for most other side bets, which is why their payouts are modest.
Tie Bets
Ties occur in a small fraction of rounds—single-digit percentages—so the payout is correspondingly larger. Because ties are uncommon, even seemingly generous returns do not eliminate the high long-term cost represented by the house edge.
Understanding these probabilities helps explain why casinos set the specific payouts they do: rarer events pay more, but they also increase the casino’s built-in advantage. Next, we’ll look at how those payouts are actually applied.
How Are Baccarat Side Bets Paid Out?
Payout structures are fixed and published on the table’s paytable. Below are typical payout patterns; specific numbers can vary, so always confirm the paytable before placing a bet.
Dragon Bonus
Payouts increase with the margin of victory. Standard schedules pay small multiples for wins by a few points and larger multiples for dominant wins or naturals. Because the exact bands and multipliers differ by venue, players should check the posted table to know what each margin returns.
Pair Bets
Both Player Pair and Banker Pair commonly pay around 11:1. That means a successful £1 bet returns £11 in winnings plus the original stake. The payout reflects the relatively low probability of an immediate pair.
Perfect Pair
Typical Perfect Pair payouts are 25:1 or similar, reflecting the added difficulty of matching suits as well as ranks. A winning £1 wager would return the stated payout plus the stake.
Big & Small Bets
Big and Small payouts are muted compared with other side bets. A Small win might return about 1.5:1, while a Big win often returns slightly above even money. These lower returns mirror the higher probability of these outcomes.
Tie Bets
Tie bets are usually paid at around 8:1 at many tables. Some operators show slightly different ratios; if you see a notably higher ratio, that will materially change the value and the house edge, so check the paytable before betting.
Because payouts are fixed, the long-term expectation depends entirely on the underlying probabilities and the specific paytable in use. With that in mind, the house edge is the clearest way to compare how costly each bet is over time.
What Is The House Edge For Each Baccarat Side Bet?
The house edge translates the payout schedule and win probability into a single percentage that shows the casino’s advantage over many rounds. Higher percentages mean worse value for players.
Dragon Bonus
House edge varies by bet side and paytable. Player-side versions often show a modest edge, while Banker-side versions can be substantially higher. The variance reflects differences in how frequently large-margin wins occur for each side under standard dealing rules.
Pair Bets
Pair bets commonly have a house edge around 10% or more. That makes them considerably less favourable than the main Player and Banker bets.
Perfect Pair
Perfect Pair typically carries an even larger house edge, often in the mid-teens. Its combination of low chance and high payout inflates the long-term cost to players.
Big & Small Bets
Big and Small bets have lower house edges than many other side bets but still exceed the house edge of the main game. Expect single-digit percentages that reflect the higher probability of these outcomes compared with pairs or naturals.
Tie Bets
Tie bets usually have one of the highest house edges when paid at the common 8:1 ratio. If an operator offers a considerably higher payout, the edge can fall, but such tables are uncommon and the paytable should be confirmed.
Knowing the house edge for each option helps you judge whether a side bet is worth trying as occasional entertainment, or better skipped because it will erode your bankroll faster over time.
Are Baccarat Side Bets Worth It?
Side bets can be entertaining and occasionally produce a big result, but they generally represent higher long-term cost than the core Player and Banker wagers. For most players, side bets work best when treated as occasional extras rather than main components of play.
If your aim is to minimise losses and play with the best odds available, sticking mostly to the main bets is the sensible choice. If you enjoy the added variety and are prepared for greater volatility, picking one or two side bets with a paytable you understand can be a way to add interest without changing the overall approach.
Keep in mind that attractive-looking payouts are balanced by lower hit rates and larger house edges. Decide in advance what you want to get from a session—if it’s entertainment with the chance of a rare payout, side bets can fit that goal; if it’s long-term value, they generally won’t.
As you weigh those trade-offs, a single rule helps: only stake amounts you’re comfortable losing and check the paytable before placing any side bet.
Transitioning from choice to clarity, the next section clears up common misunderstandings so you can make better-informed decisions at the table.
Common Myths About Baccarat Side Bets
Several misconceptions persist about side bets; clearing them up makes it easier to approach them sensibly.
One myth is that side bets are “due” to pay out if they haven’t appeared recently. Each round is independent; past outcomes do not change the statistical chance of future events. Another mistaken belief is that there is a reliable strategy or system that reduces the house edge on side bets. In reality, the payouts and probabilities are fixed, so no sequence of bets alters the long-term expectation. Finally, some players think experience or skill significantly improves side-bet results. Because these bets depend on chance outcomes governed by the deal, there’s little scope for skill to influence them.
Understanding these points removes false hopes and helps you see side bets for what they are: optional, higher-variance wagers with clearly defined payouts and probabilities.
Glossary Of Baccarat Side Bet Terms
If you’re new to baccarat or want a quick reference, this glossary explains common terms associated with side bets. When in doubt, consult the table’s paytable or ask the dealer for clarification.
Side Bet
An extra, optional wager placed in addition to the main baccarat bets. Side bets target specific outcomes within a round and typically carry different odds and payouts.
Dragon Bonus
A wager that a hand will win by a large margin or with a natural; payout increases with the size of the win.
Pair Bet
A bet that the first two cards to a given hand will be the same rank.
Perfect Pair
A bet that the first two cards will match in both rank and suit.
Big Bet
A bet that five or six cards will be dealt in the round.
Small Bet
A bet that only four cards will be dealt—neither side draws a third card.
Tie Bet
A bet that Player and Banker will finish with the same point total.
House Edge
The percentage advantage the casino holds on a given bet over time.
Natural
A two-card hand totaling 8 or 9, which often ends the round immediately.
Paytable
The chart on the table or display that shows payouts for each winning side bet.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.