3 Card Baccarat Strategy

Live casino players in Canada likely know Three-Card Poker better than Three-Card Baccarat. It's completely understandable if you're not too familiar with the latter, given the vast array of casino games available. Three-Card Baccarat is a thrilling, quick-fire twist on the classic baccarat game. It's incredibly easy to pick up, especially with a solid guide. This post breaks down the rules, strategies, and top tips for playing Three-Card Baccarat.

What Exactly is Three-Card Baccarat?

Three-Card Baccarat is a version of Baccarat that's gained popularity in some Canadian casinos. The game is quite similar to traditional Baccarat in how both sides are dealt three cards, with the total value of the cards determining the winner. In this game, face cards (J, Q, K) and tens are worth zero. Aces are worth one point, and number cards (2-9) are worth their face value.

• Three-Card Baccarat uses a standard 52-card deck, with all cards dealt face-up.
• Before any cards are dealt, players place their bets on either the Banker or Player position. This is also when you can place optional side bets, which we'll cover later in this guide.
• Keep in mind that face cards and tens have no value in Three-Card Baccarat. Aces are worth one point, and all other cards are valued according to their face value. If you've played Baccarat before, this scoring system will feel familiar.

How Does 3-Card Baccarat Differ from Standard Baccarat?

So, what sets Three-Card Baccarat apart from the traditional version? The strongest possible hand in this game is three face cards of the same rank, like three sevens. However, remember that tens and face cards are worth zero in standard Baccarat scoring. In Three-Card Baccarat, the highest score possible is 9. A hand of three face cards, for instance, would have a value of 0 unless it's a specific combination that wins the game. The goal is still to get as close to 9 as possible.

The hand with the highest score wins the round. If both sides have the same score, the tie goes to the player with more face-value cards. For example, 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. A push or tie can occur if both players have cards of the same face values and pictures.

Three-Card Baccarat Payouts in Canada

Just like in traditional baccarat, winning hands typically pay out even money (1:1). This means if you bet $10 and win, you'll get your $10 stake back plus $10 in winnings, for a total payout of $20.

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.