Baccarat Side Bets Calculator
Compare odds, payouts, and house edge for all baccarat side bets. Find the best and worst side bets for your bankroll.
Formula:
Expected Value = -1 × House Edge × Bet AmountHouse Edge
2.65%
Max Payout
30:1
Win Probability
22.76%
Expected Value
$-0.27
Per $10 bet
Player wins by natural or margin of 4+
$
Amount to wager on the side bet
Dragon Bonus (Player) Payout Table
| Outcome | Payout | Probability | Win Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Win | 1:1 | 16.25% | +$10.00 |
| Win by 9 | 30:1 | 0.22% | +$300.00 |
| Win by 8 | 10:1 | 0.63% | +$100.00 |
| Win by 7 | 6:1 | 1.27% | +$60.00 |
| Win by 6 | 4:1 | 1.39% | +$40.00 |
| Win by 5 | 2:1 | 1.44% | +$20.00 |
| Win by 4 | 1:1 | 1.56% | +$10.00 |
| Other | Lose | 77.24% | -$10 |
Recommendation
Relatively low house edge for a side bet. Acceptable for entertainment.
All Side Bets Comparison
| Side Bet | Max Payout | House Edge | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Bonus (Player) | 30:1 | 2.65% | ✓ Good |
| Big | 0.54:1 | 4.35% | ✓ Good |
| Small | 1.5:1 | 5.27% | ~ Fair |
| Dragon Bonus (Banker) | 30:1 | 9.37% | ~ Fair |
| Player Pair | 11:1 | 10.36% | ~ Fair |
| Banker Pair | 11:1 | 10.36% | ~ Fair |
| Tiger | 20:1 | 12.20% | ~ Fair |
| Perfect Pair | 25:1 | 13.03% | ~ Fair |
| Either Pair | 5:1 | 14.54% | ~ Fair |
| Super Six / Lucky Six | 12:1 | 29.98% | ✗ Avoid |
Compare to Main Bets
Banker
1.06%
Best bet
Player
1.24%
Second best
Tie
14.36%
Avoid
Main Banker and Player bets have much better odds than most side bets.
Key Facts
- •Best side bet: Player Dragon Bonus (2.65% edge)
- •Worst common side bet: Super Six (30% edge)
- •Pair bets: 11:1 payout, 10.36% house edge
- •Big/Small: Low edge (4-5%) but small payouts
- •Main bets are always better than side bets
- •Side bets are designed for entertainment only
- •House edge varies dramatically between side bets
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best baccarat side bets?
The Player Dragon Bonus has the lowest house edge at 2.65%, making it the best side bet mathematically. Big and Small bets are also reasonable at 4-5% house edge. Avoid Super Six (30% edge) and high-payout pair bets (10%+ edge).
Are baccarat side bets worth it?
Side bets have significantly higher house edges than the main baccarat bets. The main Banker bet has only 1.06% edge, while most side bets are 5-15% or higher. Only make side bets for entertainment, not as a winning strategy.
What is the Pair bet in baccarat?
Pair bets win when the first two cards dealt to either the Player or Banker form a pair. Standard Pair bets pay 11:1 with a 10.36% house edge. Perfect Pair (same rank and suit) pays more but has even worse odds.
How does the Dragon Bonus work?
Dragon Bonus pays when your chosen side (Player or Banker) wins with a natural (8 or 9) or by a margin of 4+ points. Player Dragon Bonus has a 2.65% house edge - the best baccarat side bet. Banker Dragon has 9.37% edge.
Try These Examples
Quick-start with common scenarios
How this works
Calculations follow the published mathematics of the game — combinatorics for cards, probability theory for dice, and expected-value accounting for wagers. Results are verified against independent references (primarily Wizard of Odds). No calculation here is an opinion or recommendation; it is arithmetic applied to the rules of the game.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This tool computes probability and expected value. It is not a betting system and cannot predict the outcome of any individual wager. If gambling is causing problems for you or someone you know, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER.
Sources
- [1]Wizard of Odds — Michael Shackleford, ASAIndustrywizardofodds.comAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Actuary; widely cited casino-game probability reference. Used for house-edge and EV verification.
- [2]National Council on Problem GamblingOfficial sourcencpgambling.orgAccessed Apr 21, 2026
Responsible-gambling guidance and 1-800-GAMBLER helpline.
Joseph OrdunaFounder & Software Engineer
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).
House Edge
2.65%
Max Payout
30:1
Win Probability
22.76%
Expected Value
$-0.27
Per $10 bet