In the elegant realm of baccarat, most players are familiar with the game’s three main bets: Player, Banker and Tie. However, extra fun can be added to the gameplay through the use of baccarat side bets, which enable players to seek out bigger payouts through riskier wagers.

Baccarat side bets are optional wagers placed before the cards are dealt at the start of a new round. They add spice to the standard game and are readily available in most online, live dealer and land-based baccarat variations.

These bets have the potential to yield decent rewards. However, they also carry a significantly higher risk due to their volatility.

Whether you’re playing baccarat online or at a brick-and-mortar casino, understanding these bonus bets can enhance your overall gaming experience.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most popular baccarat side bets, explain how they work, compare their odds and house edges, and analyse the best baccarat side bets to try.

What are baccarat side bets?

Baccarat side bets are additional wagers that you can place before each hand begins, though they don’t affect the outcome of the main game (Player, Banker or Tie). This means that a side bet could still pay out even if your main bet loses and vice versa.

These side bets are designed to add extra layers of entertainment to standard baccarat while opening avenues to bigger payouts for lucky players.

Baccarat side bets are commonly found in different variations and locations of the game, including online casinos (such as LeoVegas), land-based casinos and live online platforms.

These side bets often come equipped with high payout ratios (12:1, 15:1, 40:1, etc.), though they usually have a higher house edge, so they’re best viewed as a form of fun rather than a winning strategy for baccarat.

Most common baccarat side bets explained

Here are the most popular baccarat side bets you’ll find at online and live tables.

Player/Banker Pair

Pays: 11:1

With a Player/Banker Pair, your side bet wins if the first two cards dealt to either side of the table form a pair (e.g., 8 of diamonds, 8 of spades). The Player/Banker Pair side bet is commonly found in live dealer games and baccarat tables in physical casinos.

Perfect Pair

Pays: Up to 25:1

The Perfect Pair side bet is a step up from the Player/Banker Pair in terms of payout, though it is a much tougher wager to land. Here, you’re looking for a pair of the same rank and suit in either hand for success. For example, two Kings of Hearts would be a Perfect Pair. This is one of several high-risk, high-reward side bets in baccarat.

Dragon Bonus

Pays: Up to 30:1

The Dragon Bonus has a lower house edge than most other side bets, and it’s a wager based on the points difference between the player’s and the banker’s hand. It allows players to bet on whether the hand will win by a significant margin. The larger the margin, the bigger the potential payout will be.

For example, if the player has a natural nine and the banker’s initial hand has a value of two, this would count as a margin of seven points and would pay out at 6:1.

Big/Small Bet

Pays: 3:2 (Small), 2:1 (Big)

This side bet is a wager on the combined number of cards that the Player and Banker’s hands will finish a round with. If four cards are dealt, the Small bet usually pays 3:2 with the house edge in that direction around 5.27%. If five or six cards are dealt, meanwhile, the Big bet pays 2:1 with a house edge of 4.35% applied there.

Either Pair

Pays: Around 5:1

With the Either Pair side bet, you win if either the Banker or Player hand has a pair (e.g., 6 of hearts and 6 of clubs – the suit is irrelevant). It doesn’t carry as much risk as the Perfect Pair, for instance, though payouts are lower and are typically 5:1.

Super 6

Pays: 12:1 or 15:1

Often seen in commission-free baccarat, the Super 6 side bet wins if the Banker’s hand totals six points. Payouts vary with this one and they depend on the number of cards used to make up the Banker’s six. A two-card six pays 12:1, while a three-card six would pay between 15:1 and 20:1, depending on the version of the game.

Lucky 6

Pays: 12:1 (two-card win), 20:1 (three-card win)

Lucky 6 is a baccarat side bet variant found in some versions of Asian baccarat. Similar to the Super 6, the Lucky 6 wins when the Banker’s hand totals six points and varies depending on the number of cards used to make up the six. A two-card six pays 12:1, while a three-card six pays 20:1, just like the aforementioned Super 6.

Payouts & House Edge of Side Bets

Let’s compare some typical payouts and house edges for common side bets:

It’s important to note that while side bets are attractive because of their potentially big payouts, they do come with higher volatility levels and a much larger house edge than the main baccarat bets (Banker: 1.06%, Player: 1.24%). Remember, these side bets are high-risk, high-reward ventures.

Best Side Bets to Try in Baccarat

All baccarat bonus bets come with their own individual rules and winning conditions, and every player will have their own side bet favourites. Here are some of the more popular and best side bets to try in baccarat:

• Dragon Bonus – A side bet that offers stronger odds, especially on Banker wins, making it a popular choice for value-conscious players looking for a degree of flexibility.
• Banker Pair – Straightforward to follow, the Banker Pair is a reasonably priced side bet to try out that is less risky than some alternatives, such as the Perfect Pair. Payouts are more modest, though the Banker Pair, which is available on most platforms, strikes a good balance between risk and reward, making it a good starter side bet for new players.
• Perfect Pair – The Perfect Pair has a massive potential payout, though the odds of it landing are slim. The low frequency of this side bet makes it ideal for occasional use when you feel like spicing up play.

Tips for Using Side Bets in Baccarat

Placing side bets can be a risky business, so they are best approached with the right mindset and discipline. If you’re wondering how to win baccarat side bets, we’ve got some tips below:

• Treat side bets as entertainment – Side bets are a fun way to spice things up, and using them should never be considered a core baccarat strategy.
• Keep tight control of your bankroll – Side bets are volatile in nature, so bet wisely and don’t overreach.
• Avoid chasing losses – Never try to recover losses by stacking side bets.
• Pick one or two per session – Don’t try every side bet at once. Limit yourself to stay in full control.
• Know the odds – Some side bets look tempting but have a steep house edge. Use our guide to learn more about the odds before placing side bets.

When used in the right way, online baccarat side bets can bring an extra dimension and layers of fun to the table. With their volatility, unpredictability and potential to deliver big payouts, side bets can add enjoyment and suspense to the gameplay, but they should always be deployed in moderation.

If you’re curious about baccarat side betting, start with wagers such as the Dragon Bonus or Banker Pair, which offer a good mix of entertainment and manageable risk.

If you want to spice up your sessions, side bets can bring a fresh dynamic to baccarat, but remember to always play responsibly. Aim for fun over profit and you won’t go far wrong.