What About Mini-Baccarat?

10 December 2024

By Frank Scoblete

QUESTION from LARRY:

I just realized that there is a game in the casino where the house edges are really low, in the one percent ranges on two of the three bets. The third bet at the game is not so hot and I would avoid that one.

The game is mini-baccarat. It has three bets, the banker, the player, and the tie. Betting the tie is out of the question because the house edge is in the double figures.

I would think that more people would be interested in playing the game but it doesn’t seem to have the kind of following that blackjack has. I wonder why not?

What is your opinion of mini-baccarat? Am I missing something?

-----Larry

FRANK RESPONDS:

Larry, you nailed the tie bet – for sure. It is as bad as many of the worst bets at the game of craps and as you figured correctly you should avoid the bet.

The house edges on the next two bets, the player, and the banker, are not only reasonable but pretty darn good. The player comes in at 1.24 percent, while the banker bet is even lower at 1.06 percent but that tie bet can be over 14 percent – yuck.

So, why aren’t more people playing this game? Partly, because the game is basically playing a coin flip. You win or you lose without having to do anything but place your bet.

Yes, there are rules for hitting and standing on certain hands but the player has no choices to make when it comes to them. Everything is just automatic.

I think the element that makes the game somewhat out of the question for many players is its speed. Mini-baccarat is fast! You can bet on 150 hands in an hour. Even those small house edges on the player and the banker can cut through a player’s bankroll in a relatively short time.

While the original game of baccarat with the long table and the exquisitely-dressed dealers (maybe four or more per table) was a haven for high rollers, the game was slow moving. It also allowed the players to deal the cards – without, as stated, having any say in the hitting, and standing decisions.

Maybe 40 hands per hour. Not bad if you could afford the minimum bets that is. Those were usually $100 or higher.

Mini-baccarat also has many side bets – bonus bets as they are often called – and these come in with much higher house edges. Lightning speeds and bonus bets that also sap your money – not such good prospects.

One last thing. Many of the players who are regulars are extremely superstitious. It is possible that they, along with the speeds of play, and the awful bonus bets, just keep players away.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete’s books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books, libraries, and bookstores.