How to Win at Baccarat: Expert Tips

BetMGM May 09, 2025, 8:00 AM
min read
A hand reaching for red casino chips stacked on a green baccarat table, with the "PLAYER" and "BANKER" sections labeled in red and yellow. Additional green and orange chips are scattered around the betting areas.

As you play baccarat online, your decisions and the luck of the draw will mean the difference between a quick playthrough of your bankroll or walking away with a little bit of profit. The line between amateurs and experts in the game involves experience and understanding of how baccarat works.

Baccarat tips from bettors who have wagered on countless hands have become common wisdom for novice gamblers. Picking up on these time-tested pieces of advice is part of learning how to play baccarat.

Many of these tips focus on managing risk and protecting your bankroll, while others involve assessing your preferences to match your style with baccarat variants. Bettors can find their perfect match at BetMGM Casino, regardless of their preferences.

How to Win Baccarat

A primary consideration for many people when approaching the game is whether baccarat is a game of luck or skill. Both are true, to some extent.

Bettors win by accurately predicting that the banker will have a higher hand than the player, vice versa, or there will be a tie. Luck determines which of those outcomes takes place on each hand, though.

The skill element of baccarat for bettors is in playing the odds and mixing in enough bets with a higher potential for return, allowing them to take advantage of good luck if it comes their way. Some tips are crucial for developing that skill.

Essential Baccarat Tips

Although chance ultimately determines wagers, bettors still benefit from a solid understanding of baccarat rules and betting options. From the standard options of banker/player/tie to baccarat side bets, knowledge is power regarding how to play baccarat and win. In particular, the baccarat dragon bonus side bet is one to look into.

For example, bettors should familiarize themselves with the third card rules for baccarat. These stipulations govern when the banker and/or the player can or must take a third card.

These rules may not be identical across all variants of baccarat, and any changes can alter the odds. Bettors should also inform themselves of how many decks are in the shoe for each game, as that number can change the likelihood of bets hitting as well.

Regardless of which baccarat version you play, there are some common blunders even experienced players can fall victim to. Some of these mistakes come down to misunderstanding the mathematical side of baccarat.

Avoid These Baccarat Mistakes

One of the most common misconceptions is the classic gambler’s fallacy. This is the misguided belief that if a particular result hasn’t hit in a few hands, it must be due to come up soon.

In baccarat, each hand is independent, and the odds reset with each deal. Any possible outcome has the same chance of occurring in each game.

More frequent mistakes deal with baccarat bankroll management. Improving your odds of winning in baccarat is more about establishing limits and planning your wagers than getting lucky in a longshot bet.

Many players have tried to give themselves an edge by betting on historical results or trying to predict which cards will be dealt in specific hands. These tactics are limited in their effectiveness at best.

Can You Count Cards in Baccarat?

For less-experienced bettors wondering whether you can count cards in baccarat, the question isn’t as much about whether it’s possible but whether there’s a justifiable benefit. The shuffling of the cards between hands at physical casinos and live dealer games, along with the algorithm in digital versions of baccarat, are usually sufficient to limit, if not eliminate, any significant edge that counting might give bettors.

Moreover, gamblers could find themselves being escorted out of casinos if they use any devices or strategies outside of what the rules allow to count cards. This can include using electronic devices to monitor shuffling and dealing, or going too far in bending the cards in baccarat.

Considering the amount of mental energy it requires against the tiny edge it might provide, bettors are better off using that focus to analyze baccarat odds and make the best decision in the moment. That decision can fluctuate based on how gamblers’ luck is faring.

Secrets to Baccarat Success

Becoming a better baccarat player requires an understanding that there’s no trick to baccarat, but you can put yourself in a good position to take advantage of some luck if it comes your way. This is the result of practicing responsible gambling and smart wagering simultaneously.

Bettors who set limits and stick to them, in addition to planning out their bets, are in that great position to benefit from good luck. While that might seem to take all the fun out of the game, it’s actually easier to enjoy your baccarat session when you can relax and focus on the moment with a solid baccarat strategy.

If you feel rushed to decide what your next move is going to be, or are worried about exceeding your budget, you can’t enjoy the game to the same extent. This is why it’s important to match your baccarat choices to your comfort with risk.

BetMGM has a suite of exciting baccarat games that can accommodate bettors of all budgets and wagering styles, including live dealer baccarat. When you register for BetMGM, you can use a special casino welcome bonus for new players to ascertain your preferences.

Those preferences can guide your path from baccarat amateur to expert. BetMGM ensures that you will have a great time as you gain that experience.

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