In baccarat, players have the option to pursue a series of unique side bets, all of which add high-risk, high-reward stakes to standard gameplay, and the Panda 8 side bet falls into that category.
Often seen as the Player’s counterpart to the better-known Dragon 7 side bet, which favours the Banker, the Panda 8 is a niche wager that adds extra layers of interest to side betting in baccarat.
This article explores the Panda 8 baccarat rules, how the side bet works, the payout and odds, and how it compares to other popular side bets such as Dragon 7 and Super 6. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is the Panda 8 Side Bet?
So, what is Panda 8 baccarat betting exactly? The Panda 8 is a side bet that needs the Player’s hand to win with exactly three cards totalling 8 points to be successful.
Naturally, this very specific outcome makes the Panda 8 one of the more challenging side bets to hit. However, it’s also one of the most rewarding if and when it does occur.
The Panda 8 side bet is mainly found in EZ Baccarat, which is a variation of the classic game that removes the 5% commission on Banker wins.
The Panda 8 is usually offered alongside the Dragon 7 side bet to provide interesting betting options for both the Player and Banker while bringing balance to both sides of the table.
How the Panda 8 Bet Works
The Panda 8 side bet is optional and must be placed before the cards are dealt ahead of each round. To win, two conditions must be met:
- The Player hand must win the round.
- The winning Player hand must have exactly three cards totalling 8 points.
Any other outcome (the Banker wins, the Player wins with a two-card hand, or the Player’s three-card total isn’t exactly 8) will result in a losing Panda 8 bet.
It’s also important to note that the Panda 8 side bet does not affect the outcome or payouts of the main game itself. It functions as an entirely separate wager.
Panda 8 Payout & House Edge
The Panda 8 payout is potentially 25:1, making it an attractive prospect for players looking to boost their winnings on a single hand. However, it does carry less favourable odds than the Dragon 7 side bet, which pays a lofty 40:1 when it lands.
Like the Dragon 7, risks with the Panda 8 are high and the payout reflects the bet’s rarity. The house edge on the Panda 8 side bet is approximately 10.2%, which is significantly higher than standard bets in baccarat, making it a high-risk, high-reward proposition for players.
Panda 8 vs Dragon 7 vs Super 6
How does Panda 8 stack up against other popular EZ Baccarat side bets?
- Panda 8 – Player wins with a three-card total of 8. Pays 25:1 when successful.
- Dragon 7 – Banker wins with a three-card total of 7. Pays 40:1 when successful.
- Super 6 – Banker wins with a total of 6. Pays 12:1 when successful (or sometimes as high as 15:1 depending on the variant).
The Panda 8 vs Dragon 7 is a common comparison due to the side bets’ similarities. The Dragon 7 offers higher payouts (40:1) and has a slightly lower house edge than the Panda 8 (7.61% to 10.19%) as well as lower Banker-side conditions.
The Super 6, meanwhile, has the lowest payout and is more common, making it less risky. The house edge with Super 6 side bets is a massive 29.98%, however.
Conclusion
The Panda 8 side bet in baccarat can add enjoyment to the gameplay and offers a bumper payout when it lands. However, the specific win conditions mean that it hits infrequently.
While the baccarat Panda 8 odds are long and the house edge is steep, the potential of landing a 25:1 payout keeps plenty of baccarat players coming back for more.
If you’re playing EZ Baccarat and want to inject some extra fun into proceedings, the Panda 8 should fit the bill – but remember, it’s a fun but risky side bet that requires plenty of luck to land.