Live Baccarat Strategy

Because baccarat is pretty much purely a game of chance, there is no such thing as a reliable strategy with which to beat the baccarat table. However, there are a few things that you can do to help you make better decisions and thus increase your chances of winning.

The Scoreboard

Using the scoreboard. Most live casinos give you a track record of all the previous hands in the game, which will enable you to spot patterns and streaks. Of course, because it is a pure game of chance, in which previous hands have no bearing on what might happen next, it could be argued that looking for patterns in chaos is as somewhat fruitless exercise, relying on superstitious beliefs rather than hard facts. However, many gamblers swear by this method!

Favourable Tables

Choosing favourable tables. The number of cards used in the game of baccarat can vary widely between tables. Generally speaking, the less cards that are being used, the better the chance you have of winning, so try to play at tables that have a limited number of cards.

Tie Bets

Avoiding the tie bet. While the tie bet may offer the best odds in a game of baccarat, it is a poor choice. Why? Well, the house edge on tie bets is at least five percent, higher than you would get with any other bet, so if you are smart, you will avoid the tie bet like the plague.

Banker Betting

Betting on the banker. The banker hand has a small statistical advantage over the player, so if you want to minimise the house edge, then it is advisable to bet on the banker every time, even though this only gives you a small advantage.

Progressive Betting

Progressive betting systems. Betting strategies such as the Martingale System, in which the player doubles their bets after each loss so that their next win will cover all previous losses, and the Labouchere system, in which the player writes out a line of numbers and uses it as a constantly changing guide to how much they should bet, are more commonly associated with roulette, but are equally applicable to other games of pure chance such as baccarat. While they do not give you a statistical edge in real terms, and can often lead you to make much bigger losses than you otherwise would, they can be quite effective in some circumstances. At any rate, they make the game much more interesting to play over longer periods.