Baccarat Side Bets Explained: All You Need to Know About Them
If you have ever played baccarat online or at a casino, you might have noticed extra betting options dotted around the table. These are not the standard bets on Player, Banker, or Tie. They are called side bets, and they add another layer to the game.
Names like Perfect Pair or Dragon Bonus can be confusing at first. It is not always obvious what you are backing or why the payout is different to the main bets.
This guide breaks down what each common side bet means, how payouts work, and the main points to weigh up before using them. Whether you are new or just brushing up, you will come away with a clear picture of what to expect when these options appear.
What Are Baccarat Side Bets and How Do They Work?
Baccarat side bets are optional wagers you place alongside the main Player, Banker, or Tie bets. They focus on specific events in a round, such as pairs, card totals, or the margin of victory.
You place any side bets before the cards are dealt, using the marked areas on the layout. Each one applies to a particular scenario. For instance, you might back a pair on the first two cards of a hand, or a result where the winning hand is ahead by several points.
Side bets settle independently of your main wager. You can win a side bet while your main bet loses, or the other way round. Payouts and any limits are shown on the table or in the game information, and they can vary between casinos and baccarat variants. A quick look at the rules on your chosen table will tell you what is available.
So, what are the side bets you are most likely to see in practice?
Common Types of Baccarat Side Bets
Player and Banker Pair Bets
Player Pair and Banker Pair bets predict that the first two cards for the chosen hand will be the same value. Two Kings would count as a pair, and so would two 4s. If that hand’s first two cards form a pair, the bet pays according to the table’s posted odds.
Perfect Pair and Either Pair Bets
Perfect Pair goes a step further. The two cards must match in both value and suit, such as two 7s of hearts. It occurs less often than a standard pair, which is why it usually pays more. Either Pair is broader, paying if the opening two cards on either the Player or Banker hand form a pair.
Big and Small Bets
Big and Small bets look at the total number of cards dealt to both hands in a single round. A Small bet covers rounds where only four cards are dealt in total, with no third card drawn. A Big bet covers rounds with five or six cards, which can happen when the third-card rule brings one or both extra cards into play.
Bonus and Dragon Side Bets
These focus on the winning margin. Dragon Bonus is the best-known example. It pays when the selected hand wins by a large points difference or achieves a natural 8 or 9 on the first two cards. The exact payout usually depends on how big the final gap is, with higher margins linked to higher returns. The bands and rates differ by table, so checking the paytable for the version you are playing is worthwhile.
Knowing the labels is only half the story. Next comes how the numbers add up when one of these bets lands.
How Are Baccarat Side Bets Paid Out?
When a side bet wins, the payout is based on your stake and the fixed odds for that outcome. Those odds tell you the return if your prediction is correct. For example, a standard pair often pays 11 to 1, so a £1 side bet would return £11 in winnings plus your £1 stake.
Less frequent outcomes usually pay more. A Perfect Pair, which needs matching value and suit, typically offers a higher rate than a standard pair. The precise figures are listed on the table or in the game information and can differ between versions.
Side bet payouts are settled on their own, separate from your main wager. In online games, any returns are added to your balance at the end of the round. In a land-based casino, the dealer settles winning chips at the table.
The mechanics of payout are only part of the picture. It is also worth understanding how the underlying odds and house edge compare to the main game.
What Are the Odds and House Edge on Baccarat Side Bets?
As noted above, side bets use fixed payout odds that are shown on the table. Typical examples include 11 to 1 for Player Pair or Banker Pair, and up to around 25 to 1 for a Perfect Pair. Big or Small bets pay less, often around even money or 2 to 1, as those outcomes occur more frequently than the rarer pair combinations.
The house edge is the long-term percentage the casino expects to keep from those bets. For most side bets it is higher than for the main Player or Banker wagers. As a guide, Perfect Pair is often around 13 percent, while standard Pair bets may sit near 10 percent. Bonus and Dragon-style bets vary by table rules and margin bands, but they typically carry a higher edge than the main bets.
Exact figures depend on the version you are playing, so it makes sense to check the displayed paytable and rules before using side bets.
With that in mind, are these extras worth adding to your game?
Are Baccarat Side Bets Worth Trying?
Side bets draw attention because the payouts on the layout are higher than the main options. They can add variety to a round, especially if you enjoy following specific scenarios like opening pairs or a clear winning margin.
It helps to view them on their own terms. The outcomes they cover happen less often than a standard Player or Banker result, and the house edge is usually higher. That does not make them better or worse. It simply means they serve a different purpose to the main bets and should be treated as optional extras.
Availability, rules, and rates differ between tables, so a quick scan of the paytable will tell you what you are choosing and what it returns. Some players like dipping into side bets from time to time, while others prefer to focus on the core wagers. Either way, understanding what each option represents lets you decide what fits your approach.
**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.