Complete Guide to Baccarat Side Bets: Odds, Types & Returns

Baccarat is a straightforward card game enjoyed both online and in person. Alongside the main bets, most versions offer extra options known as side bets. These add variety, with outcomes that differ from the usual player, banker or tie result.

If you want to understand how baccarat side bets work, which ones you will typically see, and how often they pay, this guide breaks it all down. You will find clear explanations of the odds, types and potential returns so you can read the table more confidently.

What Are Baccarat Side Bets and How Do They Work?

Baccarat side bets are optional wagers placed alongside the usual Player, Banker, or Tie bets. Rather than backing which hand wins, they focus on specific events during the deal, such as pairs, totals of cards drawn, or winning margins.

These wagers are placed before the round starts and use a separate stake. Minimums can be as low as 50p, though limits vary by table. If the condition you backed occurs, the payout is made at fixed odds set in the paytable.

Side bets generally pay higher multipliers than the main bets because the outcomes occur less frequently. As a result, the risk profile is different. Because rules and payouts can vary between game versions, it could be worth checking the paytable on the table you are playing. 

Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.

Common Types of Baccarat Side Bets

Most baccarat variants include a handful of familiar side bets, each tied to a specific feature of the cards dealt.

Player Pair and Banker Pair are the staples, paying when the first two cards to either hand form a pair, such as two Kings. Perfect Pair raises the bar by requiring the pair to be identical in both rank and suit, like two King of Hearts.

Big and Small look at how many cards are dealt in the round. Small pays when the result is decided with four cards, while Big pays if the round requires five or six cards under the drawing rules.

Either Pair pays if a pair lands on either hand, and some tables include a Tie Bet Pair that pays when both hands receive the same ranked pair. You may often see these options presented together in the game’s information screen.

Pairs and Perfect Pairs

Pairs and Perfect Pairs both look at the first two cards dealt to a specific hand. A Pairs bet pays when those two cards match in rank, for example two Queens. You can back the Player side, the Banker side, or place both. The payout commonly sits around 11 to 1, reflecting the fact that two cards forming a pair at the start is not an everyday event.

Perfect Pair is stricter. The two cards must be identical in both rank and suit. Because that match is less common, the payoff is higher, often up to 25 to 1 in standard versions. The exact return depends on the table and the number of decks used.

With more cards in circulation, the chance of a simple pair on the first two cards to a hand sits at roughly 7.5%, while a Perfect Pair is closer to 3.4%. Tables using fewer decks shift those figures slightly, which is why paytables sometimes differ between games that appear similar at first glance.

Big and Small Bets

Big and Small focus on the total number of cards dealt in the round, which is determined by baccarat’s drawing rules. If neither side draws a third card, the round ends after four cards. If one or both sides draw, five or six cards are seen.

A Small bet backs the four‑card finish. With an eight‑deck shoe, this occurs around 37.8% of the time, and the payout is typically about 1.5 to 1. A Big bet supports the five‑ or six‑card finish, which occurs more often, around 62.2% in standard games. The payoff is lower, usually around 0.54 to 1.

House edge differs between the two. A typical Small bet carries a house edge of about 5.27%, while Big sits near 4.35%. These figures reflect how often each outcome happens once the drawing rules are accounted for. If a table uses alternative payouts, the edges will shift in line with the paytable.

Dragon Bonus

Dragon Bonus pays when the hand you back wins by a specified margin. Some versions also pay on a natural two‑card win. The larger the margin, the bigger the return, with top payouts in common formats reaching up to 30 to 1 for a nine‑point win.

You can place the bet on either Player or Banker. The underlying maths differs between the two sides because of how often each side draws and the distributions that follow. A typical eight‑deck setup shows an estimated house edge of around 2.7% when backing Player and roughly 9.4% when backing Banker, though published paytables take precedence if a game uses alternative bands or caps.

A quick example helps: if you back Player Dragon Bonus and Player wins 9–0, that usually triggers the highest listed payout. If Player wins by a smaller margin, the return steps down according to the table’s pay scale. If the hand you backed does not win, the bet loses regardless of the margin on the other side.

Other Popular Variations

Some side bets appear only on certain tables or software versions, but they are common enough that you may encounter them.

Super Six pays when Banker wins with a total of six. A 12 to 1 payout is widely seen, although some paytables quote different figures or add conditions.

Egalité lets you back a tie on a specific total, such as 7–7 or 8–8. Because each total has its own probability, the payouts vary, commonly ranging from 45 to 1 up to 200 to 1.

You might also see options like Royal Match, which pays on a suited King and Queen in the first two cards, or branded features such as Lucky Bonus or Pocket Bonus. These are table‑specific, so a quick look at the game’s information screen could be helpful to confirm what is offered and how each bet settles.

What Are the Odds for Different Baccarat Side Bets?

Odds describe how often a given event is expected to occur over many rounds. In baccarat side bets, those events are things like a hand receiving a pair, a specific total being tied, or a round ending with a certain number of cards.

Using an eight‑deck shoe as a common reference point:

  • Player Pair or Banker Pair land roughly 7.5% of the time. Payouts are often 11 to 1.
  • Perfect Pair is rarer at around 3.4%, which is why returns up to 25 to 1 are typical.
  • Small occurs in the region of 37.8%, and Big around 62.2%, with the corresponding lower payouts noted earlier.

Bets such as Either Pair and table‑specific options like Egalité each have their own probabilities. Because these depend on exact rules and deck count, the most reliable source is the game’s paytable, which shows the version‑specific figures for the table you are on.

How Are Baccarat Side Bet Payouts Calculated?

Side bet payouts use fixed odds. The settlement multiplies your stake by the listed payout and, in most cases, returns the stake as well. For example, a £2 side bet at 11 to 1 pays £22 plus the £2 stake if it wins.

Higher multipliers reflect outcomes that occur less often. A Perfect Pair pays more than a simple Pair because the condition is stricter. Conversely, outcomes that arise more frequently, such as Big, pay less. If you place a main bet and a side bet together, each settles independently based on its own result and paytable.

A few versions include tiered payouts, such as Dragon Bonus bands for different winning margins, or special cases like Super Six with alternative returns. Where that is the case, the paytable sets out the exact amounts for each result so there is no guesswork at the table.

House Edge on Baccarat Side Bets Explained

House edge is the average percentage the casino expects to hold from each bet over the long run. It balances the size of the payout against how often it is achieved. A higher listed return does not automatically mean a better long‑term outcome.

In standard eight‑deck formats:

  • Player Pair typically shows a house edge around 10.36%, with Banker Pair in a similar range.
  • Perfect Pair can exceed 13%, reflecting how rarely the condition is met.
  • Small is usually about 5.27% and Big about 4.35%.
  • Dragon Bonus varies by side, commonly around 2.7% when backing Player and roughly 9.4% on Banker.

Because side bets are optional, many players use them selectively, balancing the entertainment of an occasional higher payout against the higher edge compared with the main bets. If a table uses alternative payouts or fewer decks, the published figures on that table take priority.

Which Baccarat Side Bets Have the Highest Returns?

The largest single payouts tend to come from events that do not occur often. Perfect Pair sits near the top, with returns up to 25 to 1 on many tables. Egalité can climb higher still when backing specific tied totals, commonly from 45 to 1 up to 200 to 1 depending on the exact number you choose.

Dragon Bonus can also deliver significant returns when the winning margin is large. In versions that pay up to 30 to 1 for a nine‑point win, a strong margin translates into the highest tier on the pay scale.

It might be worth weighing these bigger payouts against their frequency and the listed house edge. That way, when you choose to add a side bet to your round, you do so with a clear view of what you are getting in return.

Play Casino Games Online

If you would like to explore casino games from home, Red Casino offers a wide selection available on desktop and mobile. You will find several versions of baccarat with a range of side bets, all with clear help sections so you can check the rules before you play.

Our tables include detailed paytables and information for every game, making it easy to compare features and decide what suits your preferences. Registration is quick, so you can browse the full library at your own pace.

Take a look at table limits, side bet options, and special features across our baccarat range. Whether you prefer a classic setup or want to try a variant with extra side bets, you can review the details and pick a table that fits the way you like to play. Safer gambling tools are available on site should you wish to set limits or take a break.

**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.

*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.

Baccarat is a straightforward card game enjoyed both online and in person. Alongside the main bets, most versions offer extra options known as side bets. These add variety, with outcomes that differ from the usual player, banker or tie result.

If you want to understand how baccarat side bets work, which ones you will typically see, and how often they pay, this guide breaks it all down. You will find clear explanations of the odds, types and potential returns so you can read the table more confidently.

What Are Baccarat Side Bets and How Do They Work?

Baccarat side bets are optional wagers placed alongside the usual Player, Banker, or Tie bets. Rather than backing which hand wins, they focus on specific events during the deal, such as pairs, totals of cards drawn, or winning margins.

These wagers are placed before the round starts and use a separate stake. Minimums can be as low as 50p, though limits vary by table. If the condition you backed occurs, the payout is made at fixed odds set in the paytable.

Side bets generally pay higher multipliers than the main bets because the outcomes occur less frequently. As a result, the risk profile is different. Because rules and payouts can vary between game versions, it could be worth checking the paytable on the table you are playing. 

Players should always remember to gamble responsibly and within their means- never wager more than you can afford to lose.

Common Types of Baccarat Side Bets

Most baccarat variants include a handful of familiar side bets, each tied to a specific feature of the cards dealt.

Player Pair and Banker Pair are the staples, paying when the first two cards to either hand form a pair, such as two Kings. Perfect Pair raises the bar by requiring the pair to be identical in both rank and suit, like two King of Hearts.

Big and Small look at how many cards are dealt in the round. Small pays when the result is decided with four cards, while Big pays if the round requires five or six cards under the drawing rules.

Either Pair pays if a pair lands on either hand, and some tables include a Tie Bet Pair that pays when both hands receive the same ranked pair. You may often see these options presented together in the game’s information screen.

Pairs and Perfect Pairs

Pairs and Perfect Pairs both look at the first two cards dealt to a specific hand. A Pairs bet pays when those two cards match in rank, for example two Queens. You can back the Player side, the Banker side, or place both. The payout commonly sits around 11 to 1, reflecting the fact that two cards forming a pair at the start is not an everyday event.

Perfect Pair is stricter. The two cards must be identical in both rank and suit. Because that match is less common, the payoff is higher, often up to 25 to 1 in standard versions. The exact return depends on the table and the number of decks used.

With more cards in circulation, the chance of a simple pair on the first two cards to a hand sits at roughly 7.5%, while a Perfect Pair is closer to 3.4%. Tables using fewer decks shift those figures slightly, which is why paytables sometimes differ between games that appear similar at first glance.

Big and Small Bets

Big and Small focus on the total number of cards dealt in the round, which is determined by baccarat’s drawing rules. If neither side draws a third card, the round ends after four cards. If one or both sides draw, five or six cards are seen.

A Small bet backs the four‑card finish. With an eight‑deck shoe, this occurs around 37.8% of the time, and the payout is typically about 1.5 to 1. A Big bet supports the five‑ or six‑card finish, which occurs more often, around 62.2% in standard games. The payoff is lower, usually around 0.54 to 1.

House edge differs between the two. A typical Small bet carries a house edge of about 5.27%, while Big sits near 4.35%. These figures reflect how often each outcome happens once the drawing rules are accounted for. If a table uses alternative payouts, the edges will shift in line with the paytable.

Dragon Bonus

Dragon Bonus pays when the hand you back wins by a specified margin. Some versions also pay on a natural two‑card win. The larger the margin, the bigger the return, with top payouts in common formats reaching up to 30 to 1 for a nine‑point win.

You can place the bet on either Player or Banker. The underlying maths differs between the two sides because of how often each side draws and the distributions that follow. A typical eight‑deck setup shows an estimated house edge of around 2.7% when backing Player and roughly 9.4% when backing Banker, though published paytables take precedence if a game uses alternative bands or caps.

A quick example helps: if you back Player Dragon Bonus and Player wins 9–0, that usually triggers the highest listed payout. If Player wins by a smaller margin, the return steps down according to the table’s pay scale. If the hand you backed does not win, the bet loses regardless of the margin on the other side.

Other Popular Variations

Some side bets appear only on certain tables or software versions, but they are common enough that you may encounter them.

Super Six pays when Banker wins with a total of six. A 12 to 1 payout is widely seen, although some paytables quote different figures or add conditions.

Egalité lets you back a tie on a specific total, such as 7–7 or 8–8. Because each total has its own probability, the payouts vary, commonly ranging from 45 to 1 up to 200 to 1.

You might also see options like Royal Match, which pays on a suited King and Queen in the first two cards, or branded features such as Lucky Bonus or Pocket Bonus. These are table‑specific, so a quick look at the game’s information screen could be helpful to confirm what is offered and how each bet settles.

What Are the Odds for Different Baccarat Side Bets?

Odds describe how often a given event is expected to occur over many rounds. In baccarat side bets, those events are things like a hand receiving a pair, a specific total being tied, or a round ending with a certain number of cards.

Using an eight‑deck shoe as a common reference point:

  • Player Pair or Banker Pair land roughly 7.5% of the time. Payouts are often 11 to 1.
  • Perfect Pair is rarer at around 3.4%, which is why returns up to 25 to 1 are typical.
  • Small occurs in the region of 37.8%, and Big around 62.2%, with the corresponding lower payouts noted earlier.

Bets such as Either Pair and table‑specific options like Egalité each have their own probabilities. Because these depend on exact rules and deck count, the most reliable source is the game’s paytable, which shows the version‑specific figures for the table you are on.

How Are Baccarat Side Bet Payouts Calculated?

Side bet payouts use fixed odds. The settlement multiplies your stake by the listed payout and, in most cases, returns the stake as well. For example, a £2 side bet at 11 to 1 pays £22 plus the £2 stake if it wins.

Higher multipliers reflect outcomes that occur less often. A Perfect Pair pays more than a simple Pair because the condition is stricter. Conversely, outcomes that arise more frequently, such as Big, pay less. If you place a main bet and a side bet together, each settles independently based on its own result and paytable.

A few versions include tiered payouts, such as Dragon Bonus bands for different winning margins, or special cases like Super Six with alternative returns. Where that is the case, the paytable sets out the exact amounts for each result so there is no guesswork at the table.

House Edge on Baccarat Side Bets Explained

House edge is the average percentage the casino expects to hold from each bet over the long run. It balances the size of the payout against how often it is achieved. A higher listed return does not automatically mean a better long‑term outcome.

In standard eight‑deck formats:

  • Player Pair typically shows a house edge around 10.36%, with Banker Pair in a similar range.
  • Perfect Pair can exceed 13%, reflecting how rarely the condition is met.
  • Small is usually about 5.27% and Big about 4.35%.
  • Dragon Bonus varies by side, commonly around 2.7% when backing Player and roughly 9.4% on Banker.

Because side bets are optional, many players use them selectively, balancing the entertainment of an occasional higher payout against the higher edge compared with the main bets. If a table uses alternative payouts or fewer decks, the published figures on that table take priority.

Which Baccarat Side Bets Have the Highest Returns?

The largest single payouts tend to come from events that do not occur often. Perfect Pair sits near the top, with returns up to 25 to 1 on many tables. Egalité can climb higher still when backing specific tied totals, commonly from 45 to 1 up to 200 to 1 depending on the exact number you choose.

Dragon Bonus can also deliver significant returns when the winning margin is large. In versions that pay up to 30 to 1 for a nine‑point win, a strong margin translates into the highest tier on the pay scale.

It might be worth weighing these bigger payouts against their frequency and the listed house edge. That way, when you choose to add a side bet to your round, you do so with a clear view of what you are getting in return.

Play Casino Games Online

If you would like to explore casino games from home, Red Casino offers a wide selection available on desktop and mobile. You will find several versions of baccarat with a range of side bets, all with clear help sections so you can check the rules before you play.

Our tables include detailed paytables and information for every game, making it easy to compare features and decide what suits your preferences. Registration is quick, so you can browse the full library at your own pace.

Take a look at table limits, side bet options, and special features across our baccarat range. Whether you prefer a classic setup or want to try a variant with extra side bets, you can review the details and pick a table that fits the way you like to play. Safer gambling tools are available on site should you wish to set limits or take a break.

**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.

*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.

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