Baccarat Guide | Top Strategies with a 90% Win Rate

Baccarat is a casino favorite known for its simple rules and strategic depth.
Whether in Macau, live online tables, or gaming platforms, it continues to attract attention.

This guide covers baccarat strategies, winning methods, and roadmaps to help boost your odds and profits.

What Is Baccarat? Are Winning Strategies Real?

Baccarat is a global favorite where players bet on the Banker or Player. The hand closest to 9 wins.

• Smart Play: No strategy wins every round, but using formulas and reading patterns can cut risk and raise your odds.
• 90% Win Rate? Some proven methods may help you stay ahead in the long run.

Baccarat Rules: Basics and Gameplay

1. Baccarat uses 8 decks with 416 cards, no Jokers.
2. Bet on Banker, Player, or Tie.
3. Each side gets 2 cards, with a possible third card based on rules.
4. 10, J, Q, K are 0; A is 1. Only the last digit of the total counts.
5. The hand closest to 9 wins.

How to Start Playing Baccarat?

1. Choose a Casino: Pick an online or land-based casino. Online platforms often offer welcome bonuses like a "168 trial bonus" after registration.
2. Place Your Bet: Predict the outcome and bet on Banker, Player, or Tie.
3. Deal Cards: Both Banker and Player receive two cards.
4. Draw a Third Card: A third card is dealt only if certain conditions are met.
5. Settle the Round: The hand closest to 9 wins. You’re only betting on Banker or Player, no need to compete with other players.

Baccarat Basics: Table, Bets, and Commission

1. Table Layout

• Depending on the variation, a baccarat table can seat 7 to 14 players.
• Only Banker and Player hands are dealt. Players bet on the outcome without handling cards.

2. Three Main Betting Options

• Player
• Banker
• Tie

Each has its own betting area on the table. You can refer to strategies like “Should You Bet on Banker or Player?”

3. Dealer Area

The dealer sits at the center, facing the players, and deals cards to both the Banker and Player hands.

4. Commission

When the Banker wins, a 5% commission is charged. For example, a $100 bet on Banker returns $195 (including the original bet).

Baccarat Rules: Naturals and Third Cards

   How Cards Are Dealt?   

After all bets are placed, the dealer deals four cards in total. The first goes to the Player, the second to the Banker, then one more to each. Both sides end up with two cards.

Natural Win

If either the Player or Banker has a total of 8 or 9 from the first two cards, it is called a natural win. The game ends immediately, and payouts are made.

⚠️When Is a Third Card Drawn?

If neither side has a total of 8 or 9, the third card is dealt based on the drawing rules chart.

Baccarat Card Values: How to Calculate Points?

• A = 1, 2 to 9 = Face value, 10 / J / Q / K = 0
• If the total of two cards is over 9, only the last digit counts. For example, a total of 15 counts as 5, and 19 counts as 9.

4 Smart Baccarat Tips

1.Play No Commission Baccarat

Save on fees when betting on the Banker in baccarat, especially useful while practicing.

2.Avoid Tie Bets

Ties offer high payouts but come with a 14.44% house edge and low odds. Stick to Banker or Player bets.

3.Bet on Banker More Often

Banker has a slightly higher win rate over time. If it's on a winning streak, keep betting on it.

4.Pause After a Banker Loss

When the Banker loses, hold off on the next round. Watch the outcome, then bet based on the new trend.

3 Proven Baccarat Strategies for Smarter Play

Just like other popular table games, baccarat allows players to use betting strategies to reduce losses and potentially increase winnings. Here are three effective approaches to try:

1.Baccarat Strategy: 1-3-2-4 System

This strategy focuses on adjusting your bet sizes to manage risk. By following a 1-3-2-4 sequence, you aim to protect your profits while minimizing potential losses.

🔺Example: If your base bet is $100, your bets would be $100 → $300 → $200 → $400, then restart the cycle.

While no system guarantees a win, this one helps stretch your bankroll and can increase your chances over time.

2.Baccarat Strategy: One-Sided Betting  

This simple approach involves consistently betting on either the Banker or Player side until you lose three times in a row.

At that point, stop and wait until your chosen side starts winning again.

🔺Tip: Set a clear profit target so you know when to walk away. 

3.Baccarat Strategy: Progressive Betting  

This aggressive strategy increases your bet each time you win, using a 1-2-4 sequence. After the third win, return to the initial bet.

🔺Tip: This method requires a larger bankroll, so make sure you're financially prepared.

(Further Reading: Macau Baccarat Guide: Winning Tips, Rules, and Strategies)

What Is a Baccarat Roadmap? How to Read It?

• Roadmaps track past results of Banker, Player, and Tie.
• Common types include Big Road, Bead Plate, Big Eye Boy, Small Road, and Cockroach Pig, with Big Road being the most used.
• Players use them to spot trends and predict possible streaks.

What Is a Good Road in Baccarat?

• A good road is a clear, consistent pattern on the Big Road, like multiple Banker or Player wins in a row.
• When this pattern is broken by an unexpected result, the good road ends. For more details, see: Baccarat Roadmap Master Guide.

A good road appears when the Big Road follows a consistent trend. Only one good road typically exists per table at a time. It forms when Banker or Player results follow a specific sequence.

Illustration	Description
	In the Big Road, when four or more consecutive Banker wins appear, it is called a “Long Banker Streak.”
	In the Big Road, when four or more consecutive Player wins appear, it is called a “Long Player Streak.”
	When the last six Bead Plate results are “Player, Banker, Banker, Player, Banker, Banker,” it is called a “One Player Two Banker” pattern.
	When the last six Bead Plate results are “Banker, Player, Player, Banker, Player, Player,” it is called a “One Banker Two Player” pattern.
	When results alternate like “Banker, Player, Banker, Player,” it’s called a Big Road Jumping Pattern.
	When a long streak is followed by an alternating pattern, it is called a Long Streak to Jumping Pattern.
	In the Big Road, when each Banker appears only once before switching to Player, it's called a “Jump After Each Banker” pattern.
	In the Big Road, when each Player appears only once before switching back to Banker, it's called a “Jump After Each Player” pattern.
	In the Big Road, when the pattern shows Banker (2 or more), Player (1 or more), repeating multiple times, it is called a “Streak After Each Banker” pattern.
	In the Big Road, when the pattern shows Player (2 or more), Banker (1 or more), repeating in cycles, it is called a “Streak After Each Player” pattern.
	In the Big Road, when four adjacent columns each show two or more results of Banker or Player, it is called a “Parallel Streaks” pattern.

Baccarat Road Tips: 3 Common Patterns and How to Beat Them

Anyone who plays baccarat knows that beyond basic rules and betting tips, many players also develop the skill of “reading the road.”

Reading the road means observing the results of previous rounds before placing your bet. By spotting trends early, you can better predict future outcomes and choose the right strategy to use.

Here are three baccarat roadmap pattern strategies compiled by experienced players:

Alternating Banker and Player

This pattern shows Banker and Player alternating wins with no long streaks. Spot the zigzag trend and bet accordingly.

Alternating Long Streaks

This common pattern shows long streaks from both Banker and Player, alternating back and forth. It usually becomes clear by the third round.

🔺Observe the first two rounds without betting, then start placing bets from the third round.

Constant Banker and Player Switching

This tricky pattern features frequent switching, with neither side winning more than 2–3 rounds. It makes betting decisions harder.

🔺 When this pattern appears, it poses higher risk for players. It's best to place small observation bets or switch tables.

Baccarat Odds: Banker Edge and Win Rates

Baccarat is thrilling and iconic in films. To play confidently, start by understanding how the Banker’s edge impacts the odds.

1.The Banker’s Edge in Baccarat

• House Edge: The Banker bet has a house edge of around 1.06%, which is much lower than roulette at 5.26%.
• Compared to Blackjack: While blackjack has a lower house edge of about 0.5%, baccarat is much easier for beginners to learn and play.

2.Betting on Banker Offers Slightly Better Odds

• Baccarat stats show: Banker wins 45.8%, Player 44.6%, and Tie 9.6%.
• Excluding ties, the Banker wins about 51% of the time, making it the most reliable long-term bet.

3.Tie Bet Probability

• The chance of a tie is only around 9.6%, but it pays 8 to 1.
• However, with a high house edge of 14.36%, betting on ties is not a good long-term strategy.

4.Baccarat Win Rate Chart

The Baccarat Win Rate Chart is a tool used to predict outcomes in baccarat by calculating the win rates of Banker, Player, and Tie based on past results.

There are typically two types of charts:

• Big Road: Tracks all previous outcomes.
• Small Road: Tracks only a limited number of recent outcomes.

The Big Road chart is more accurate but also more complex to calculate. The Small Road chart is easier to use but less precise.

Further Reading: Banker, Player, or Tie – Who Wins More?

5.Baccarat Payout Rules

Baccarat Variants: Common, Competitive, Private, Insurance

Common Pool Baccarat

Common Pool Baccarat follows standard rules and bets but adds a card-squeezing feature. Easy to join, your luck is revealed with one squeeze.

Card Squeezing Rights

• All players can participate in card squeezing by betting on Banker squeeze or Player squeeze.
• If betting on both Banker and Player, the higher bet gets the squeeze right; if equal, Player squeezes first.

Card Squeezing Operation

• During card squeezing, you can drag the card edge from any of 8 directions within the squeezing time.
• Dragging the card halfway will automatically reveal it.
• If squeezing time ends, the card will be revealed automatically.

Competitive Pool Baccarat

Competitive Pool Baccarat follows standard rules, but only the highest bettor gets the card squeeze right before reveal, making them the game’s focus.

Card Squeezing Rights

• Only seated players compete for the squeeze right.
• If multiple players tie for highest Banker bet, the first to reach it gets the Banker squeeze; same for Player.
• If a player is highest bettor on both sides and the lower bet side has no other bets, they can squeeze both hands.

Card Squeezing Operation

• During squeezing, players can drag the card edge from any of 8 directions within the squeeze time.
• Dragging the card halfway will automatically reveal it.
• If squeezing time ends, the card will be revealed automatically.

Private Table Baccarat

Private Table Baccarat lets the owner control dealer changes and shoe swaps. Play solo or with friends for a premium VIP experience.

Table Owner Rights

• Card Reveal: The table owner decides when to reveal cards. If delayed too long, the system reveals them automatically. Players can keep betting until then.
• Flying Card: The owner reveals cards without betting. If others have bet, the results are settled normally.
• Change Dealer: After a set time, the owner can change the dealer. There’s a minimum wait between changes.
• Change Shoe: The owner can replace the shoe after a set number of rounds. There’s a required gap between replacements.
• Card Squeezing:
  • Exclusive Table: Owner betting on Banker (no commission) or Player can squeeze both hands.
  • Shared Table: Owner squeezes one hand; other players squeeze the other. If no other bets, owner squeezes both.

Insurance Baccarat

Insurance Baccarat adds an insurance bet to classic baccarat. It helps protect your stake when the game feels risky, letting you play confidently even in tough spots. Here’s how it works:

• In each game round, there are two insurance trigger points for both Banker and Player. When the cards meet the insurance conditions, the insurance option activates.
• If either Banker or Player’s first two cards total 8 or 9 (a natural), the round ends immediately—no additional cards are dealt and no insurance is triggered.
• When insurance triggers, eligible players receive an automatic pop-up window to place insurance bets.
• If the same type of insurance triggers twice in one round, players can only bet once.
• Banker insurance requires a Banker bet with at least twice the insurance payout; same for Player insurance.
• Insurance bets cannot be canceled once placed.

Banker Insurance Payout

The payout rate depends on the Banker and Player cards at the time insurance is triggered. See the table below for details:

Player Insurance Payout

Live Baccarat Systems and Game Types?

DG Live Baccarat Game Overview

• System Name: DG Live Baccarat
• Game Types: Baccarat, Niuniu, Sic Bo, Color Disk, Roulette, Dragon Tiger, Bullfighting, Three Card, Golden Flower, Fantan
• Special Features: Competitive Pool Baccarat, Insurance Baccarat, Multi-Table Betting
• Hall Features: Beautiful live dealers and chatrooms for interaction.

RG Live Baccarat Overview

• System Name: RG Live Video
• Game Types: Baccarat
• Special Features: Multi-Table Betting, Block Practice Baccarat
• Hall Features: Live dealers with sexy outfits, offering more attractive Asian female dealers.

DB Live Baccarat Overview

• System Name: DB Live Video
• Western Games: Baccarat, Blackjack, Dragon Tiger, Roulette, Texas Poker
• Asian Games: Niuniu, Sic Bo, Color Disk, Andar Bahar, Three Card, Golden Flower, Fantan, Wenzhou Pai Gow, Indian Golden Flower
• Special Features: Speed Baccarat, Host Baccarat, Dance Baccarat, Common Pool Baccarat, Competitive Pool Baccarat, Private Table Baccarat, High-Stakes VIP Tables, Insurance Baccarat, Multi-Table Betting
• Hall Features: Beautiful live hosts with chatrooms for interaction, offering a variety of international female dealers to choose from.

OG Live Baccarat Overview

• System Name: OG Live Video
• Game Types: Baccarat, Dragon Tiger, Sic Bo, Roulette
• Special Features: Speed Baccarat, Multi-Table Betting
• Hall Features: Offers online dealers from China and Western countries, supporting multiple languages including Chinese, English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Korean.

OB Live Baccarat Overview

• System Name: OB Live Video (AB Live Baccarat)
• Western Games: Baccarat, Blackjack, Dragon Tiger, Roulette, Texas Poker
• Asian Games: Niuniu, Sic Bo, Andar Bahar, Three Card, Golden Flower, Indian Golden Flower, Boding
• Special Features: Speed Baccarat, Host Baccarat, Dance Baccarat, Common Pool Baccarat, Competitive Pool Baccarat, Private Table Baccarat, High-Stakes VIP Tables, Insurance Baccarat, Multi-Table Betting
• Hall Features: Offers a sexy lounge where you can watch attractive dealers and enjoy fresh live video gameplay.

SA Live Baccarat Overview

• System Name: SA Live Video (Salon Baccarat)
• Game Types: Baccarat, Roulette, Andar Bahar, Dragon Tiger, Boding
• Special Features: Multi-Table Betting
• Hall Features: Combines Western and Asian dealers, offering a unique live multi-table experience with a 30-minute timeout payout guarantee.

WM Live Baccarat Overview

• System Name: WM Live Video
• Game Types: Baccarat, Color Disk, Roulette, Dragon Tiger, Sic Bo, Niuniu, Fish Shrimp Crab, Andar Bahar, Fantan
• Special Features: Speed Baccarat, Themed Baccarat, Common Pool Baccarat, Multi-Table Betting
• Hall Features: Offers a variety of live video games with interactive play between players and live dealers.

Baccarat FAQ

Q: What do “Player,” “Banker,” and “Tie” mean in baccarat?
A: In baccarat, “Player” and “Banker” are simply two betting options without special meanings, while “Tie” means both sides have the same points.

Q: Do card suits affect point calculation in baccarat?
A: No. Baccarat points are based only on card values, not suits.

Q: When are third cards drawn in baccarat?
A: The Player draws a third card if their first two cards total 5 or less. The Banker’s draw rules are more complex and depend on the Player’s third card.

Q: Are there strategies to improve winning chances in baccarat?
A: Although baccarat is mostly luck-based, some strategies can help. For example, the “Baccarat Winning Formula” uses roadmaps like single jump, double jump, and long streaks to guide betting.

Q: What is the probability of a Tie in baccarat?
A: The theoretical Tie probability is about 9.53%, meaning roughly 9 ties in every 100 rounds. Actual results may vary.