What is the Best Baccarat System?

An elegant, yet simple game, baccarat has been popular at house parties since the 19th century. Today it is one of the most played games at casinos around the world. With only three possible outcomes and rather straightforward rules, it attracts many players of different levels and skills.

As in any gambling game, a lot depends on luck in baccarat. However, if you have a viable strategy, it will help you manage your bankroll, bring structure to your playing style, and stay in the game longer. 

In this article we will review most common baccarat strategies and determine which baccarat system is the best for your playing style.

The Game of Bond, James Bond

The origins of baccarat are still subject to dispute. Many think it was invented in 15th century Italy and was later brought to France. Others believe it came to exist as late as the 19th century. It also has elements of games played in ancient Korea, Japan, and China, while the most popular modern version was developed in Cuba.

Today, baccarat exists in three variations. Baccarat Banque is the oldest version of the game. Chemin de Fer appeared later and to this day remains the most popular baccarat variation in France. Punto Banco is highly popular in the United States and other parts of North America. While all three versions are based on the same general principles, there are certain variations to the rules, so make sure you know which game you are playing and how to play it.

In modern times, baccarat experienced a new wave of popularity after the 1953 novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming came out. It includes a scene where the protagonist, famous British spy James Bond, plays baccarat against his nemesis. Fleming was commended for how well he described the game in the book.

How to Play Baccarat

In its essence, baccarat is a game of comparing cards. The two hands in the game are Player and Banker, and you can bet on either one. The hand that collects 9 points wins. In case none of the hands collect nine points, the one with the higher amount wins. 

Below you will find a step by step guide on how to play baccarat:

1. Before any cards are dealt, place your bet on either the Player or the Banker. You can also bet on the tie, though many experts don’t advise doing this, as the house edge is too high.
2. The dealer puts the first card face up in the Player’s box, then the first card in the Banker’s box, also face up. After this, both sides receive their second card in the same order.
3. The dealer will announce the total points. All cards from 2 to 9 are evaluated at face value. Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are worth zero, while Aces are worth one. The worth of the hand is the total sum of the cards. However, if the total consists of two digits, only the last one counts. For example, 5 and 9 sum up to 14 in total, but the hand is worth 4. 
4. The hand that came closer to 9 points wins, and so does the bet. In a rare case that both players have the same amount of points, the game ends in a tie.

There are a few more tricks to counting the results and understanding the next move:

1. If any of the hands draws a “natural” 8 or 9 (i.e. the sum of the first two cards is 8 or 9), the game is over. 
2. If the Player’s initial hand is below 5, the dealer draws another card for them.
3. If the Player’s initial hand is 6 or 7, they stand.
4. The third card for Banker depends on what third card the Player draws and what the sum of Banker’s initial hand is.

Different Strategies to Play Baccarat

As we mentioned above, luck plays a big role in baccarat. However, having a strategy will always give you a better chance to make your bankroll last longer and give structure to your game, instead of betting randomly. 

Whether you prefer some of the more traditional systems or rely on modern technology to come up with an AI baccarat system for you​, the choice is completely yours.

Before we plunge into a more detailed review of each baccarat system, let’s take a look at a quick overview of their key elements.

Fibonacci System

This baccarat counting system​ is built on the famous Fibonacci sequence, where each number is the sum of the previous two: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, etc. You start betting with one unit, then move up one position if you lose and down two positions if you win. In practice, it looks like this:

For easy counting, let’s say your one unit is £1. If your bet loses, you move up and bet £1 again. If you lose again, your next stake will be £2, and then £3, until you win (or decide to stop). For example, your £8 wager wins. This means your next stake should be two positions down, i.e. £3. 

Martingale & Reverse Martingale System

Martingale and reverse Martingale strategies are even simpler. In direct Martingale, you double your bet after every loss and return to the initial unit once you win. In the reverse Martingale, you do exactly the same thing, only doubling when winning and returning to the initial stake when losing a hand. While many think that roulette is the primary game to use the Martingale system, baccarat makes a really good use of it. Here is an example for direct Martingale strategy:

You bet £1. If you win, you stick to the same stake. If you lose, your next wager will be £2, then £4, £8, etc., until you finally win. Then it goes back to £1 again. Simple math shows that once you win, you get back everything you lost prior to this hand. 

With the reverse Martingale, often called Paroli, you keep betting £1 until you win, then double your bet and place a £2 stake. After that, if you win again, bet £4, but if you lose, bet £1. The idea here is that a winning streak can bring some profit. 

A practical advice for this strategy is to start with a low initial stake, to make sure your budget can last for a bit. 

D’Alembert & Contra D’Alembert System 

D’Alembert strategy follows the same principles as Martingale, but is less intense. That’s why many players prefer to use it when they play baccarat. 

When playing under D’Alembert strategy, you start by betting one unit. If you lose, instead of doubling the bet, you add another unit. You add yet another unit if you lose again. Once your stake wins, you subtract one unit. This is how it looks in practice: 

Place a bet of £1. If you lose, your next bet is £2. If you lose again, the next stake will be £3. If you win, you go back to £2. 

Same as reverse Martingale, contra D’Alembert functions under the same principle, but you add one unit when you win and subtract one unit when you lose. 

Labouchere System

The Labouchere system will require some mathematical skills on your behalf. Start by writing down a sequence of numbers, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5. Your bet is always a sum of the first and the last number in the sequence. 

So in this case, your first bet is 2+5=£7. If this bet loses, your stake is added to the sequence. Now your next stake will be 2+7=£9. If it loses, you repeat the previous step. But if it wins, you remove the first and the last numbers from the sequence. In our example that would be 2 and 7. So now your next bet is 3+5=£8.

Pair Bet Strategy

This strategy works for the pair side bet and can only be used in online casinos that offer pair side bets. 

If you plan to use it, go for games with a standard 8 deck setup. You will need to pay close attention to which cards leave the shoe. If you notice that many of the same cards are still left, for example, many 3s, your odds for winning the pair side bet increases. 

A spreadsheet with a tracking system will help you keep an eye on the cards that have already been in play. Update the spreadsheet after every round to determine your odds for the side bet.

Mikki Mase Strategy

Mikki Mase made a name for himself in gambling when he claimed he could recognise patterns in the course of the game. Specialising mainly in baccarat and blackjack, Mase claims that he adjusts his betting patterns based on previous results. 

It is difficult to say whether the Mikki Mase baccarat system is worth trying, as anyone is yet to hear what mathematical analysis he uses. The gambler who claims to have won millions in Las Vegas by being able to see patterns in advance, doesn’t give any coherent explanation as to how exactly his strategy works, except that it prioritises banker bets.

Oscar’s Grind Strategy

This strategy is normally used in cases where the odds of an outcome are equally distributed between two options: heads or tails in flipping a coin, banker or player in baccarat. The main idea of this strategy is to increase your bet by one unit if you win and keep it the same if you lose. As soon as your profit comes to the initial unit plus one, you start the cycle anew.

The best way to understand this approach is presented by a table where one unit equals £1 for easy calculations.

As many positive progression strategies it is built on the assumption that the gambler has unlimited bankroll and playing time. It is also based on the concept that losses and wins come in streaks, so after a losing streak, a winning streak will cover all the losses and generate a profit. That is, if a winning streak does occur during the game.

1-3-2-6 System and 1-3-2-4 System

The numbers in the names of these two similar strategies are multipliers you will be using to increase your bet after you win. Start by establishing an initial betting unit, for example, £3. This will be your first bet.

If you win, multiply your base unit by the next multiplier. In our example, it is £3 x 3 = £9. And if you win again, the next bet is £3 x 2 = £6 and then £3 x 6 = £18. Every time you lose, return to the first number in the sequence. 

The second sequence works in the exact same way, but its last bet is a little less risky. 

The James Bond

This strategy covers all potential outcomes in a round of baccarat. Remember three numbers: 14, 5, and 1. These are the sizes of your bets.

In the same round, place £14 on the banker, £5 on the player, and finally £1 on a tie. As you can see, your largest stake goes to the bet with the lowest house edge and the smallest stake is placed on the bet that has the largest house edge. 

Within one round, your highest potential profit is £8 and your highest potential loss is £10. 

Baccarat Betting Tips

Before you start implementing a baccarat strategy into your game, there are several other things that you should consider to have a positive experience and for your strategy to be more effective. 

Learn the Rules

Whether you are playing Punto Banco, Chemin de Fer, or Baccarat Banque, make sure you know the rules of the game. This will help you make informed decisions and understand your chances with each hand. 

Practice the Game

Before you start playing with real money, try some demo versions or free games. This way you can apply your theoretical knowledge in a real game, hone your skills, and test different strategies to see which one suits you the best. 

Choose the Number of Decks Based on the Strategy

The number of decks doesn’t radically affect the house edge, but it can still make some difference in certain cases. For example, if you always bet on the banker, the fewer decks are in the shoe, the better are your chances of winning. But if you use the pair bet baccarat system, playing the standard 8 deck version gives you better options. 

Track Your Bets

Write down every bet you make during the game and their outcomes. This includes both wins and losses. After the game you can analyse the results and see which strategy works the best for you.

Avoid Chasing Patterns

No baccarat pattern system can guarantee a win or predict the outcome. This is to say that overanalysing the outcomes and trying to predict the results based on the pattern you are playing is a futile business. You can adopt any pattern of your own, just make sure you give a priority to the banker bets, as the house edge is lower with them. 

Best Strategies for Different Baccarat Variations

Of course, you are welcome to try out all these strategies with any of the baccarat versions and see which one works better for you. However, experience shows that some strategies work better with specific variants. 

• Punto Banco. Most online baccarat games are based on this version. Here you are not required to win every bet to meet your winning target. That’s why, Labouchere system is the recommended strategy here. The overall structure of the game supports this recommendation.
• Chemin De Fer. Each player takes the role of the banker in turns, unlike other games. This version is played with six decks of cards. Most baccarat players will recommend starting with smaller bets when you play this game. This makes the Fibonacci system the best suited strategy here.
• Baccarat Banque. In this version of the game, only three decks of cards are used. Players don’t compete against each other. Many consider it a good option for high stake players. You can choose your strategy correspondingly. 
• 3-Card Baccarat. While the main rules remain the same, both the player’s and the banker’s hands consist of three cards in this version. You need to manage your bankroll well to last in the game, so choosing Paroli strategy may be a wise move.
• Mini Baccarat. Played at smaller tables and allowing smaller bets, this version will pair well with the D’Alembert strategy, as it allows you to select the value of your single betting unit.

Other aspects you should be considering while selecting a baccarat strategy are your budget, your target for the game, and your skills.

If you have good mathematical and analytical skills, you can make use of more advanced strategies like Fibonacci, Labouchere, or D’Alembert. In other cases, you can go for easier versions, like Martingale or Paroli strategies. 

If you prefer to have small frequent payouts, some strategies are aimed at that exact goal. Otherwise, if you play for the thrill of a big win, choose a strategy that will give you a potential to achieve that.

Responsible Gambling

As usually, we want to remind you to practice responsible gambling and be aware that any gaming experience is there for entertainment, not for quick financial gain.

• Before you start playing, set a budget that won’t affect your financial and mental well being if you lose it. Never go over that budget. 
• Limit your playtime, as you do with other hobbies. Don’t let playing interfere with your duties or social life.
• Never play if you are frustrated, tired, or to chase your losses. Take frequent breaks.
• Quit when you are on top. Eventually, you are bound to start losing, so it is always better to stop playing when you are still happy with the results and may have even won something.

Enjoy the Game

Today baccarat remains as popular as when it first entered casinos. The easy rule book and quick rounds make it a favourite among in-house and online casino patrons. 

And even though luck is responsible for a good portion of the outcomes, having a strategy helps you make your game more structured, better manage your bankroll, and enjoy the game more. 

We highly recommend you continue exploring various strategies for baccarat and find the one that suits your goals, playing style, and budget the best.