All About Betting on Banker in Baccarat: Odds and Strategy

Most baccarat strategies suggest betting on the banker. Yet, the reason behind this isn't always clear. Some choose to bet on the player instead, as it pays 1:1, while the banker's bet incurs a 5% commission.

Why Bet on Banker?

To understand this, let's look at the game math. The rules say that the return to player (RTP) for the banker bet is 98.94%, compared to 98.76% for the player. This is the case even though the banker bet pays out less.

We can logically conclude that the banker must win more often to have such a statistical advantage. Indeed, the banker wins 45.86% of the time, compared to the player's 44.62%.

Here, a question comes up again: the cards are dealt in the same way, aren't they? Not exactly. You might have seen that sometimes the player and banker get a third card. The rules for this can be hard to remember, especially if you're new to Bitcoin baccarat. But this is the answer to why you should bet on the banker.

Here are the scenarios to keep in mind:

• If the player's first two cards total 0-5, the player draws a third card.
• If the banker's total is 2 or less, the banker draws a card, regardless of the player's third card.
• If the banker's total is 3, the banker draws a third card unless the player's third card was 8.
• If the banker's total is 4, the banker draws a third card if the player's third card was 2-7.
• If the banker's total is 5, the banker draws a third card if the player's third card was 4-7.
• If the banker's total is 6, the banker draws a third card if the player's third card was 6 or 7.

So, the banker has more chances to turn a losing hand into a winning one with the third card. And this is the secret behind the banker's edge in baccarat.

Is Banker Bet Overrated?

Certainly, the banker bet in baccarat is one of the best gambling bets overall. But it's often pushed so much that it seems like the only good choice. If you don't bet on the banker, casino "experts" might give you a strange look, just like if you didn't double down on 11 in blackjack.

The banker may win more often, but the 5% commission is a downside for many. This is a problem when using strategies like the Martingale system in baccarat that rely on equal odds betting. The commission means you get less of your winnings, which can mess up your strategy's calculations.

So, betting on the player is as feasible as betting on the banker, giving a 1:1 payout with just a slightly lower chance of winning and RTP.

Betting on Banker with No Commission

But what if we say you can dodge the commission on banker bets? Just look for a game variation named No Commission Baccarat. These games are often found among crypto live baccarat titles. Here, both the player and banker get a 1:1 payout when they win.

But that's too good to be so simple. In classic baccarat, bets on the player and banker are returned in case of a tie. So, increasing the banker's payout to 1:1 would create a bet with an RTP above 100%, which can't happen in gambling.

To keep the game balanced, there's another rule: wins from banker hands with a total of 6 points are paid at a 0.5:1 ratio. Essentially, the commissions from all banker hands are now combined into one.

Interestingly, this rule lowers the RTP for banker bets to 98.54%, making it less favorable than player bets. Maybe removing the commission on banker bets is not what players should desire.

Best Ways to Bet on Banker in Baccarat

Since the banker bet has high odds, it's a good choice. The baccarat flat betting strategy works well with it. Just choose an initial bet and stick to betting on the banker. This can be very effective due to the high probability of winning.

This does not mean that you cannot use the banker bet in other strategies such as Martingale or 1-3-2-6. In these strategies, you typically return to the initial bet after several rounds, so the commission's impact on your outcomes will be minor.

Don't factor in the commission when calculating your bet size to avoid complicating the game. Simply follow the strategy's pattern, such as doubling your bet after each loss in the Martingale system.