A popular casino game, baccarat features simple rules and exciting side bets. Baccarat’s main bets include banker and player, but side bets like dragon and panda provide huge wins. These exotic baccarat side bets require knowledge and skill to master.
Dragon and panda side bets
Optional side bets on dragons and pandas based on the banker’s hand are available in baccarat. They offer payouts of up to 50 to 1 if you correctly predict patterns in the banker’s cards.
- Dragon Bet – This bet wins if the banker’s hand totals 7 with any 3 cards. It has payouts of 40 to 1 with a win, or 11 to 1 if the bet pushes with the banker’s hand totaling 6.
- Panda Bet – This bet wins if the banker’s hand totals 8 with any 3 cards. Payouts are 25 to 1 on a win, or 8 to 1 on a push if the banker’s hand totals 9.
These side bets add excitement by allowing players to wager on the composition of the banker’s hand rather than just the outcome. With the chance for big payouts, the dragon and panda bets give baccarat an extra element of volatility and winning potential.
Know the house edge
While the potential payouts on the dragon and panda bets may seem enticing, it’s important to understand the house edge when playing these side bets.
- Dragon bet house edge: 2.84%
- Panda bet house edge: 10.19%
So, keep your bankroll in check as these bets favor the casino long term. Keep the main baccarat bets consistent by using them for extra blog here and there.
Study the patterns
While baccarat outcomes are random, studying the percentages related to dragon and panda payouts optimize your bet selection.
- The dragon bet has a 73.5% chance of losing, 26.31% chance of pushing, and 0.19% chance of winning.
- The panda bet has an 87.66% chance of losing, 12.31% chance of pushing, and 0.03% chance of winning.
These stats illustrate just how rare the big dragon and panda payouts are. Adjust your bet spread accordingly and celebrate when you hit them.
Spot trends but avoid chasing losses
While past hand results don’t change future probabilities, spotting trends may boost your confidence in betting on the dragon or panda. For example, if the banker’s hand has hit the dragon pattern twice recently, you may feel good betting on it again. But be cautious of random distribution and don’t go overboard chasing losses.
If you lose repeatedly on the dragon or panda bets, take a break to reset mentally and stick to the main bets. You don’t need to chase losses since every hand is independent. Stay calm and follow your bankroll plan. When you play real money baccarat at an online casino, you can compare dragon and panda odds.
- Dragon 7: 40 to 1
- Panda 8: 25 to 1
It ensures you maximise potential profits when you do get lucky and hit these lucrative side bets. Some live dealer baccarat games also have favourable odds worth checking out.