3 Card Baccarat Strategy

Most live casino players reading this article in Zimbabwe probably know Three-Card Poker more than Three-Card Baccarat. For those in the dark, it’s understandable because there are tons of casino games to play. Three-Card Baccarat is an exciting, fast-paced version of the classic baccarat game. It’s straightforward to learn, especially with the right guide. This post discusses the rules, strategies, and tips for playing Three-Card Baccarat, tailored for players right here in Zimbabwe.

What Exactly Is Three-Card Baccarat?

Three-Card Baccarat is a cracking game, especially popular in some overseas casinos. The game is similar to traditional Baccarat in how both sides are dealt three cards, with the highest hand winning. Picture cards (J, Q, K) are worth their face value. We'll break down how it works for our Zimbabwean players.

• That said, Three-Card Baccarat uses a standard 52-card deck, with all cards dealt face-up. This makes it easy to follow along.
• Before the cards are dealt, players must place a wager on either the Banker or Player position. At this stage, you can also opt for one of the optional side bets, which we'll cover later in this Zimbabwe-focused guide.
• Just to be clear for our Zimbabwean friends: face cards and tens are worth zero points. Aces are worth one point, and the rest of the cards are worth their face value. This scoring system will be familiar if you’ve played Baccarat before.

How Does 3-Card Baccarat Compare to Standard Baccarat?

So, what makes Three-Card Baccarat a bit different from the standard version that many players in Zimbabwe enjoy? The best possible hand in this game is three face cards of the same rank. For example, getting three sixes would technically give you 18, but in Baccarat scoring, this would be an 8 because 9 is the highest possible score.

The side with the most points wins the round. However, if both sides have equal points, the side with more face-value cards wins. So, a hand of 6+6+6 beats a hand like Q+2+6 because it has more face cards. The game can also result in a draw if the hands have the same point values and number of face cards. This keeps things interesting for players in Zimbabwe!

Three-Card Baccarat Payouts: What to Expect

Much like in classic baccarat, winning hands in Three-Card Baccarat typically pay out even money (1:1). This means if you place a $10 bet (or the ZWL equivalent) and win, you'll get your initial $10 back plus $10 in winnings, for a total of $20. It’s a straightforward payout system that’s easy for everyone in Zimbabwe to grasp.

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.