Everything You Need to Know About EZ Baccarat
Everyone who plays baccarat has their favorite version of the game. While traditional baccarat remains the most popular, one of the most exciting offshoots is the EZ baccarat game, a version of the popular casino game that originated in Asia.
If you want to add variety to your casino gaming experience or get out of a rut, here’s everything you need to know to answer the question “how do you play ez baccarat”?
What is EZ Baccarat?
EZ Baccarat is a variation of traditional baccarat with tweaks designed to help simplify the betting process and speed up gameplay. Originally popular in Asia and North Africa, EZ baccarat is popular in American casinos now.
EZ baccarat eliminates the 5% commission on winning banker bets that you find in the traditional game. Instead, the banker wins when they have a three-card total of seven under the Dragon 7 rule.
Another side bet is the Panda 8, which is explained in more detail later.
Rules of EZ Baccarat
The game’s objective is to bet on the hand closest to 9. Players bet on whether the banker’s hand or player’s hand is closest to 9 after two cards are dealt by the banker, with a third card drawn as in standard rules.
Players place their bets on the Player, Banker, or a Tie, while optional side bets like Panda 8 also come into play. Two cards are initially dealt into the player’s hand and the banker’s hand before the player and banker choose whether to draw a third card depending on the total of the first two cards dealt.
Card values remain the same as within traditional baccarat, with Aces worth 1, cards 2 to 9 holding their face value, and 10s and Jacks, Queens and Kings worth zero.
The Dragon 7 side bet is a significant rule in EZ baccarat. A Banker hand winning with a total of 7 with three cards results in a push, meaning no one wins or loses their banker wager. This rule replaces the 5% commission on banker wagers in the traditional game, meaning that the payouts and strategy differ from those in the traditional game and thus changes the ez baccarat odds.
With a payout of 40 to 1 on Dragon 7 bets and Panda 8 paying 25 to 1 when the Player hand wins with a three-card total of 8, EZ Baccarat is a faster and more straightforward version of the traditional game.
How to Play EZ Baccarat
Here’s a step-by-step guide to playing a round of EZ baccarat.
1. Placing bets
Players begin by placing their wagers on either the player’s hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. Optional side bets, such as Panda 8, can also be placed at this stage.
2. Initial deal
The dealer hands out the initial two cards dealt to the player and banker.
3. Drawing rules
A third card may be dealt depending on the value of the player’s and banker’s hands.
- If the player or banker has a total of 8 or 9, both stand
- They draw a third card if the player has five or fewer.
- Whether or not the banker draws a third card depends on the total and the player’s third card value.
4. Winning hands
The winning hand is the one closest to 9. If both hands have the same value, wagers on a tie win.
5. Special rules
If the banker wins with seven from three cards, the banker wagers push, meaning no one betting on the banker’s hand wins or loses.
Betting Strategies for EZ Baccarat
Here are some of the best betting strategies for EZ baccarat:
Banker wager
Banker wagers are considered the safest bet due to their slightly better-than-even money chance of winning. Banker wagers win around 50.68% of the time, making it a widely popular strategy.
Player bet
The player’s hand wins slightly less often than the banker, with a win percentage of around 49.32%. Some top baccarat players like to use the player bet to capitalize on consistent wins without the limits of the banker wagers push with side bets.
Tie bet
The tie bet has a high payout of 8 to 1 but a much lower chance of winning, around 9.5%. The players that are using a tie bet strategy are usually looking for a sizeable payout.
Panda 8
Panda 8 is among the most lucrative wagers in EZ baccarat, paying out at 25 to 1 in the player’s hand wins with a three-card total of eight. This high-risk, high-reward strategy is perfect for players chasing big wins. However, it has a low probability of winning.
Advanced Tips and Techniques for Playing EZ Baccarat
Here are some of the best tips and techniques for playing EZ baccarat:
Card counting
Some players attempt to count baccarat cards to predict outcomes. While more effective in blackjack, card counting has led some players to achieve excellent outcomes while playing EZ baccarat.
Some players also use edge sorting in baccarat to gain an advantage by identifying and exploiting subtle differences in the card backs.
Money management
Set limits on your wins and losses to retain control over your bankroll. Set a budget that you can afford to lose and stick to it. Never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Avoid common mistakes
Stick to the banker wager or betting on the player’s hand. Avoid betting on the tie due to its low probability of winning, and avoid the temptation to chase losses.
Reading patterns
Keep an eye out for baccarat streak probabilities in banker of player wins. While these can help inform your betting, remember that every hand is independent. Some players also follow the secret baccarat betting pattern, a method that involves tracking specific outcomes to guide their bets.
Choose a reputable online casino
Ensure your chosen casino is fully licensed, has excellent reviews, and offers secure transactions for deposits and withdrawals.
Conclusion
EZ baccarat is a widely popular version of the traditional baccarat game, with variations that make it a faster and slicker gaming experience.
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Learn more on baccarat:
- Flat betting in baccarat
- What is mini baccarat
- How to play super 6 baccarat
- 1324 betting strategy baccarat
- Baccarat dragon rules
- Rules of Chinese baccarat
- Chemin de Fer vs. Baccarat
- Baccarat attack strategy explained
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dragon 7 rule?
This side bet means that when the banker’s hand totals 7 with three cards, the banker wagers push on the banker’s bet, meaning that no one wins or loses.
Is EZ baccarat better than traditional baccarat?
EZ baccarat is similar to the traditional game with some minor rule tweaks to speed the game up. The ez baccarat rules still apply.
Is EZ baccarat better than traditional baccarat?
Yes, many baccarat strategies in the traditional game can be used successfully in EZ baccarat.