3 Card Baccarat Strategy

Most live casino players reading this article probably know Three-Card Poker better than Three-Card Baccarat. For those unsure, that's understandable as there are loads of casino games to try. Three-Card Baccarat is an exciting, fast-paced twist on the classic baccarat game. It's super easy to get the hang of, especially with a solid guide. This post dives into the rules, strategies, and top tips for playing Three-Card Baccarat in South Africa.

What Exactly Is Three-Card Baccarat?

Three-Card Baccarat is a popular variant of Baccarat, particularly seen in some Macau casinos. The game is similar to traditional Baccarat in that both the 'Player' and 'Banker' receive three cards each, and the hand with the highest score wins. Picture cards and tens all count as zero.

• That said, Three-Card Baccarat typically uses a standard 52-card deck, with all cards dealt face-up so everyone can see.
• Before any cards are dealt, players must place their bets on either the Banker or Player position. During this stage, you can also make one of the optional side bets, which we'll cover later in this guide.
• Just a heads-up: face cards (Kings, Queens, Jacks) and tens don't score any points. Aces are worth one point, and all other cards are valued according to their number. This scoring system should be familiar if you've played Baccarat before.

How 3-Card Baccarat Differs from Standard Baccarat

So, what sets Three-Card Baccarat apart from the traditional game? The best possible hand in this variant is three face cards of the same rank. However, remember that face cards and tens score zero. So, for example, three Sixes would total 18, but in Baccarat scoring, you only count the last digit, making it an 8.

The hand closest to nine wins the round. If both hands have the same points, the tie-breaker is the number of face-value cards. For instance, a hand with 6+6+6 (total 8) would beat a hand with Q+2+6 (total 8) because it has more face-value cards (three sixes vs. one Queen). The game can also result in a push or tie if both hands have identical scores with the same number of face cards.

Three-Card Baccarat Payouts in South Africa

Much like in classic baccarat, winning hands typically pay out at even money (1:1). This means if you bet R100 and win, you'll receive R200 back (your R100 stake plus R100 winnings). Keep an eye out for potential side bet payouts, too!

That’s not all pay-wise. If the player makes a winning hand of six (it doesn’t matter the combination), they’ll receive a 2:1 payout. In addition, tie bets pay at 25:1, although the odds of winning these bets are pretty high.

Players at the best live casino sites are also conversant with the 5% commission of banker bet wins. The same applies to the increasingly popular baccarat variant.

Three-Card Baccarat Side Bets

In most cases, Three-Card Baccarat features two optional wagers of Dragon Bonus and 3 Kings. Below is a brief overview:

Kings Bonus

This wager pays out if the player scores an 8 or higher, with a higher hand attracting a much bigger pay. The payout for three Kings is 50:1 and 25:1 for three face cards. Also, scoring any nine and eight pays out at 3:1 and 2:1, respectively.

Dragon Bonus

This side bet wins if the player beats the dealer with at least 5 points. Like with the Three Kings bonus bet, players receive a bigger payout with more winning points.

Below are the payouts:

• Win by 5 points: 1:1
• Win by 6 points: 3:1
• Win by 7 points: 5:1
• Win by 8 points: 10:1
• Win by 9 points: 20:1
• Win by 10 points: 50:1

Three-Card Baccarat Tips and Strategies

There is no proven solution to reduce the losing sessions in Three-Card Baccarat. The thing is that Baccarat is a game of chance, meaning no strategy can increase the Return to Player (RTP) rate. The same applies to all other live online casino games, except maybe video poker and blackjack.

But players don’t have to play blindly just because they cannot decrease the house edge.

• First, avoid the tie bet like the plague because the odds of winning this wager are slim. But the 50:1 maximum payout can be irresistible.
• Another trick, although this won’t do much, is to play the player bet instead of the banker. While the banker's bet often has a slightly lower house edge, the 5% commission on the house makes it an unattractive option. In short, don’t do the donkey work for the casino!
• Lastly, practice bankroll management, knowing that baccarat outcomes are purely luck-based. Create an ample budget and use it responsibly without chasing losses. Players should also consider using betting systems like Martingale and Paroli to manage their finances better.