3 Card Baccarat Strategy

Most live casino players checking out this guide probably know Three-Card Poker better than Three-Card Baccarat. If you're in the dark, no worries because the online casino world is packed with games! Three-Card Baccarat is a super exciting, fast-paced take on the classic baccarat game. It's a breeze to learn, especially when you've got the right tips. This post is all about the rules, strategies, and insider tricks for playing Three-Card Baccarat like a pro in Nigeria.
So, What Exactly Is Three-Card Baccarat?
Three-Card Baccarat is a hot game, especially popular in some Asian casinos, but finding it in Nigerian online casinos is becoming easier. The game is similar to traditional Baccarat because both sides get three cards, and the highest hand wins. Face cards (K, Q, J) are worth their value in points.
- This game ditches the complexity and uses a standard 52-card deck, with all cards dealt face-up for everyone to see.
- Before the cards even arrive, you need to place your bet on either the "Banker" or "Player" hand. You can also spice things up with optional side bets.
- Heads up: face cards and 10s don't score any points here. Aces are worth 1 point, and the rest of the number cards are worth their face value. If you've played Baccarat before, this scoring system should feel familiar.
How's 3-Card Baccarat Different from the Regular Game?
So, what sets Three-Card Baccarat apart from the standard game? The best possible hand here is three face cards of the same rank, like three sixes. However, remember that Baccarat's highest score is capped at 9. So, three sixes would actually score as 6 (not 18).
The hand with the highest points wins the round. But if scores are tied, the hand with more face-value cards wins. For example, a hand with 6+6+6 beats a hand with Q+2+6 because it has more face cards. Sometimes, the game can end in a push (tie) if both players have cards with the same face value and number. This keeps the excitement high!
Three-Card Baccarat Payouts in Nigeria
When you win a hand in Three-Card Baccarat, you get paid even money, which is 1:1. So, if you stake ₦1,000, you'll get ₦2,000 back (your initial ₦1,000 bet plus ₦1,000 in winnings) if luck is on your side. Always check the specific payout rules at your chosen Nigerian online casino.
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.








