EZ Baccarat

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Baccarat is more or less played the same way in every casino. Much like any other casino game, though, baccarat does feature different variations. EZ Baccarat is one of the most notable variants.

It might seem like just another baccarat game. However, EZ Baccarat actually gives you the best chance to win out of all the variations.

The following guide discusses more about why this is the case. It also compares the EZ version to regular baccarat.

What is EZ Baccarat?
EZ Baccarat works much the same as the general version described above. It does, however, feature a few differences from the regular game.

Normally, the casino takes a 5% commission out of winning banker bets. EZ Baccarat, on the other hand, doesn’t collect the same commissions. Instead, it pays you an even 1:1 on winning banker wagers.

Of course, the key reason why casinos require these commissions in the first place is to retain their edge. They’d lose serious money to players if they didn’t take commissions and left the other rules intact.

Therefore, EZ Baccarat contains a special rule that’s not seen in other variations. You push when winning with a three-card seven.

Here’s an example on when this is the case:
  • You’re dealt 2-10-5 (7).
  • The dealer holds J-3-3 (6).
  • You push due to the winning three-card seven.
The banker bet pays 1:1 on wins in all other situations. Again, though, the EZ version sees you push on a successful three-card seven.


Lower House Edge
In a normal baccarat game, the banker bet carries a 1.06% house edge. It features this low of a house advantage despite the aforementioned 5% commissions.

EZ Baccarat gives you an even better opportunity to win. Thanks to the lack of commissions, its banker bet only carries a 1.02% house edge.


Side Bets Available
If you like side wagers, then you should appreciate EZ Baccarat. This game features two side bets known as Dragon 7 and Panda 8.

Dragon 7 offers a 40:1 payout when the banker wins with a three-card seven. Dragon 7 is actually just a poor-paying bet in disguise. The three-card sevens happen so infrequently that you’ll be facing a 7.61% house edge.

Panda 8 delivers a 25:1 payout when the player hand wins with a three-card eight. It features an even more obscene house advantage at 10.19%.


Why is this game so special?
The 1.02% house edge is the obvious reason why EZ Baccarat is special. It gives you slightly better odds of winning versus the regular game.

Again, all you need to do is stick with the banker bet. Provided you do this, you’ll enjoy a 0.04% higher chance of winning.

Side bets are another reason why EZ Baccarat is popular. You can place the Panda 8 and Dragon 7 wagers on any given hand.

Dragon 7 offers the better odds of these bets. It carries a 7.61% house advantage versus 10.19% for Panda 8.

Nevertheless, you might consider placing either side bet to spice up the action. You’ll especially enjoy these wagers if you’re tired of making the banker bet again and again.


Where can you find EZ Baccarat?
Many land-based casinos now offer EZ Baccarat. They appreciate not having to collect commissions from banker bets.

Sacrificing 0.04% of their edge is a small price to pay for this convenience. After all, casinos don’t have to waste as much time with commissions. As a result, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding the EZ variation.

Online baccarat is normally played the standard way. After all, online software developers can easily program their games to automatically deduct 5% commissions from banker wins.

However, you will find some online baccarat games that offer the Dragon 7 and Panda 8 side bets. These wagers at least give you some of the EZ Baccarat experience.


Should you go out of your way for this game?
The EZ variation presents the best chance of winning in baccarat. However, is it worthwhile enough to look for?

The answer depends upon how often you play. If you’re a high-volume player, then the 0.04% advantage gained with the banker bet can be worthwhile.

Here’s a comparison to illustrate this point:
  • EZ Baccarat
  1. You bet 500000€ on baccarat over the course of a year.
  2. You stick with the banker wager the entire time.
  3. 500000 x 0.9898 (RTP) = 494900€ in winnings
  • Normal Baccarat
  1. You wager 500000€ on baccarat over the course of a year.
  2. You stick with the banker bet the entire time.
  3. 500000 x 0.9894 (RTP) = 494700€ in winnings
  4. 494700 – 494900 = -200 → 200€ in fewer winnings
Assuming you don’t play a lot, then you won’t see as many benefits from this version. You only stand to gain pennies on the hour as a low-volume player.

Here’s an example to explain:
  • EZ Baccarat
  1. You bet 10000€ on baccarat over a year.
  2. You stick with the banker wager the entire time.
  3. 10000 x 0.9898 (RTP) = 9898€ in winnings
  • Normal Baccarat
  1. You wager 10000€ on baccarat over a year.
  2. You stick with the banker bet the entire time.
  3. 10000 x 0.9894 (RTP) = 9894€ in winnings
  4. 9898 – 9894 = 4€ in fewer winnings
If a regular and EZ Baccarat table are side-by-side, choose the EZ variant for the extra advantage. However, you don’t necessarily need to go crazy looking for this game. It’s not going to provide a massive edge over the traditional version.


Tips for playing EZ Baccarat
Just by playing EZ Baccarat, you’re already ahead of the game. You can take your winnings even further, though, with the following tips.
  • Prioritize the banker bet
The banker wager is the best in baccarat in almost every case. The player bet, meanwhile, is almost never superior.

If you want the best chance of winning, then you need to wager on the banker hand.

You’ll lower the house edge to 1.02% and 1.06% in the EZ and traditional variations, respectively.

You might consider betting on the player hand sometimes to shake things up. Additionally, you may think about a side bet to heat up the action.

The banker bet should be your bread and butter, though, when you want to win the most money. It provides the top chance of winning in EZ Baccarat versus almost every other version of the game.

  • Watch the game speed
As discussed before, casinos benefit from EZ Baccarat by not having to mess with commissions. This frees up the dealer to deal more hands per hour.

You might also appreciate the increased game speed. You won’t have to wait long in between hands on EZ tables.

The downside to this, though, is that you’ll be exposed more to the house advantage. Here’s an example to illustrate this point:

You normally play at baccarat tables that see 120 hands per hour.
  • You bet 5€ per hand on the banker.
  • 120 x 5 x 0.0106 = 6.36€ in hourly losses (normal)
However, you play at an EZ table that sees 180 hands per hour.
  • 180 x 5 x 0.0106 = 9.54€ in hourly losses (EZ)
You should be aware that this version moves faster and causes you to risk more money.

  • Don’t rely on Baccarat systems
A baccarat system can provide more excitement than playing normally. It requires you to manipulate betting patterns in hopes of earning more short-term winnings.

Here’s an example of a simple baccarat system:
  • You look for losing streaks with either the player or banker side.
  • The goal is to bet on the side that’s due for a win.
  • The player side loses three times in a row.
  • You start wagering on the player hand under the expectation that it finally wins.
  • The banker side starts losing.
  • You now switch your bets to the banker hand.
Systems sound good in theory. The reality, though, is that they won’t result in any more winnings than if you just play normally. They don’t do anything to change the house edge or your long-term earnings.

The system described above is especially iffy because it calls on you to alternate between the first- and second-best bets. You’ll be facing a higher house edge than if you’d just stick with the banker wager.

  • Make side bets sparingly
Side wagers give you a chance to earn bigger wins for a small amount of money. They offer unique payouts that can make the game more fun.

However, you also have to take the higher house advantage into account. Both Panda 8 and Dragon 7 give the casino a better chance of winning versus the banker and player bets.

You don’t have to feel like you’re doing anything bad by placing the occasional side bets. However, I wouldn’t get carried away with these wagers due to their larger house advantages.


Conclusion
You might be splitting hairs when moving from traditional to EZ Baccarat. After all, the house edge difference on the banker bet is only 1.06% versus 1.02%

Nevertheless, EZ Baccarat does give you a tad bit more of an advantage. You should consider finding this game if you’re a high-volume player.