Baccarat is a simple game, on the surface. A player simply needs to choose whether to bet on the player or the banker. However, there are some strategies to learn to help maximize winnings. Once you’ve mastered the beginner basics of baccarat, there are also advanced baccarat strategies that can help you make the most of the opportunities at the table.
The Martingale Betting System
The Martingale is a classic betting system that is based on a very straightforward idea: if you keep doubling your bet size, you can ultimately win no matter what. The key factor is that your stack has to last long enough to weather a losing streak, and the table limits have to be accommodating.
Here’s how it works:
- Round 1: You place a $1 bet on the player and lose (total loss $1).
- Round 2: You place a $2 bet on the player and lose (total loss $3).
- Round 3: You place a $4 bet on the player and win (net gain $1).
In this example, your final win recoups the $3 you’ve lost and adds $1 of profit. You can now stop the progression and start back at the beginning. Or you can choose any bet amount you might like. The point is, once you have gotten back all of the money you’ve lost, the Martingale cycle is complete.
Risks of the Martingale
One of the problems with this strategy is that your stack has to be big enough to absorb a long losing streak. If you start at $5 and double 9 times, you’re at $2,560 for your next bet. And that’s in addition to the $2,555 you have already lost. The amounts escalate quickly.
The other issue is that tables have their limit. You can’t simply bet however much you want. Once you reach the limit, the strategy breaks down. When picking your initial amount, you have to keep this in mind. For this reason, many gamblers simply use a stop loss. After 5 losses in a row, they may call it quits.
For these reasons, the Martingale doesn’t guarantee profit, but it does offer a betting structure.
Following the Trend
In baccarat, there are two types of trends that hardcore players like to follow.
Dragons
A “dragon” is a streak where a particular outcome keeps winning. If the banker has won three times in a row, it’s considered a dragon. Players like to “follow the dragon” and bet on that outcome to win in the next round as well. They will ride it out until the streak finally stops. At that point, the dragon is over, and gamblers can take a fresh look at which bet they think will win.
Chops
If you see the outcome switch back and forth from player to banker, it’s a pattern called “chops.” Bet the opposite outcome from the last to happen to follow this trend (i.e., if the banker just won, bet the player in the next round). The advantage of this trend is that it keeps you from guessing what to bet on.
As the baccarat fans say, “Ride the dragon, play the chops.”
Baseline Strategy (a Safer Option)
Previously-discussed strategies were for aggressive recovery (the Martingale) and structured decision making (trend following). There is also a system, however, that seeks to provide nervous players with the maximum safety possible. It’s called the baseline strategy.
This strategy is based on a simple fact: the banker bet has the lowest house edge in the game at 1.06%. The player bet is a touch higher at 1.24%, which will have an effect if you play many hours of baccarat. The tie bet is off the charts with a house edge of 14.36%, so we’re not even considering that one here.
How do you bet the baseline? Just bet on the banker with a set bet amount, no matter what. It’s possibly the simplest gaming session you can have at an online casino, but it offers an undeniable mathematical logic. You’re making the most favorable bet you can, and choosing the bet with the best odds.
Boring? Maybe. Sensible? Absolutely.
Taking Your Play Seriously
There’s a reason advanced baccarat systems like these are a favorite of high rollers: they offer a disciplined way to play the game. Instead of blowing with the wind, you can take control of your bet progression and keep from getting carried away. You may see some players at a table betting wildly and emotionally. These players may wager too much and may experience a frustrating night of baccarat. But if you follow a system with some discipline, you stay in charge of what happens at the table. This is always the right move and will show in your results and stack size.
