From sticky-floor California card rooms to tuxedo-laden casinos in Monaco, baccarat (pronounced ba:k@raet) is the casino game of choice for many. The rules are simple: the banker and player each receive two cards, and whoever has a hand closer to nine wins. But if you want to win real money playing online baccarat, it takes more than luck.
There are a few baccarat betting strategies that can help you optimize your winnings. These include flat betting and pattern systems. Betting systems prioritize maximizing wins and minimizing losses, particularly during losing streaks. Pattern systems prioritize anticipating the order of the cards in the baccarat shoe and adjusting bets accordingly.
Another strategy to consider is the martingale, a system that allows you to maximize your winnings by doubling the size of each bet after every loss. It is one of the best roulette strategies for outside bets, but it also works well with baccarat. This system is easy to learn and requires only a basic understanding of math and betting.
The best way to maximize your baccarat winnings is to avoid the tie bet, which pays less than even money. Instead, bet on the banker side, which will win around 45.8% of the time, compared to 44.6% for the player hand. Avoiding the tie bet will also increase your chances of hitting a winning streak. However, you must monitor your stakes closely to prevent going broke. Staking 10 units for each bet and limiting yourself to 200 bets per session (followed by a break) is a wise schedule to follow.