Baccarat is a classic casino game played around the world. It has been made famous, especially in James Bond films like Dr. No and GoldenEye, as a simple but sophisticated experience. But along with this simplicity, the game can sometimes lack excitement. For this reason, game developers have created a number of baccarat variations to spice things up and add some side bets.
Baccarat dragon and panda baccarat side bets are part of a version of the game known as EZ Baccarat. This game incorporates special bets that players can make in addition to their normal player or banker wager, with special win and payout rules.
First, let’s quickly explain the core concept behind this baccarat version.
What is EZ Baccarat?
EZ Baccarat is a no commission baccarat game. In a standard game of baccarat, player bets return a 1:1 payout, but banker bets do not. They pay out 1:.95. There is a small 5% commission paid to compensate the casino for running the game, and because the banker bet is actually favored under the rules of baccarat. Why? The player wins around 45.85% of hands, while the banker wins 44.62% of hands. For this reason, the house edge is different on each bet. Thus, banker bets carry a house edge of 1.06% (after the commission), while player bets have a 1.24% house edge.
That said, players have long been annoyed by the commissions they have to pay on banker bets in baccarat. And so, some creative game developers decided to create a no commission baccarat game that would eliminate this issue.
EZ Baccarat has no commission on the banker bet, instead adjusting another rule to rebalance the game. The simple tweak is that when the banker wins on a 7 made with three cards, the banker bet is a push.
The Dragon 7 side bet
EZ baccarat dragon 7 panda 8 bets are two additions to the game to make it more fun. The Dragon 7 side bet pays out when the banker wins with a total of 7, made with three cards. For example, a winning hand made with a jack, ace, and six would qualify for a Dragon 7 bonus bet win.
The Panda 8 side bet
The Panda 8 bet is similar to the Dragon 7. This one pays out when the player wins with a total hand value of 8 made with three cards. An example of a winning Panda 8 hand would be queen, three, and five.
How much do baccarat dragon panda bets pay?
The Dragon 7 side bet pays out 40 to 1, provided that the player has placed chips on the wagering button. Players must elect to make the side bet in order to win it – it isn’t automatic.
The Panda 8 side bet pays out 25 to 1. It’s not quite as large as the Dragon 7 payout, but still much larger than a standard baccarat win, or even a winning tie bet (which pays out 1:8).
Dragon and panda progressive jackpots
Some casinos offer EZ Baccarat progressive jackpots. These pay out when the Dragon or Panda side bet hits and the cards match in certain ways. The set amounts listed below may vary from casino to casino.
Dragon 7 (suited hand combo matches seat) 100%
Dragon 7 (each hand suited) $1,500
Dragon 7 (all cards same color) $750
Dragon 7 (banker same color) $150
Dragon 7 $75
Panda 8 (suited hand combo matches seat) 100%
Panda 8 (each hand suited) $1,500
Panda 8 (all cards same color) $750
Panda 8 (banker same color) $150
Panda 8 $75
To trigger the top payout, a player must win the Panda 8 or Dragon 7 bet with cards all of the same suit, and then have a matching suit printed on their seat. For example, if seat 5 has a heart and the player in seat five wins a Panda 8 or Dragon 7 bet on a hand that was three hearts, that player wins 100% of the progressive jackpot.
Who invented EZ Baccarat?
EZ Baccarat was invented by two veteran baccarat dealers who worked in casinos for years: Robin Powell & Francisco “TJ” Tejeda. The first table was installed in 2008, and there are now hundreds of tables going around the clock. The game is played at casinos across North America, and is quite popular thanks to its simplicity, no commission rule, and exciting side bets and jackpots.
EZ Baccarat strategy
EZ Baccarat is a lot like normal baccarat in that there are no decisions to make during a round of play. The cards are dealt according to fixed rules. Thus, there is no strategy that can boost your chances of winning. The game outcome is controlled by random chance.
What makes EZ Baccarat fun is the opportunity to make Dragon or Panda bets when the mood strikes. If you want to chase big gains, make these wagers every now and then. If you want a slower, steadier session, just approach the game like a standard game of crypto baccarat.
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