Quick Answer: Do Side Bets Lower Baccarat RTP?
Most of the time, yes.
Not because they change Banker/Player odds, but because:
- side bets usually have a higher house edge
- they increase your total money wagered
- they often become a habit (more bets per hour)
- volatility and chasing increase average bet size
So your “overall RTP” across everything you wager tends to drop.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Baccarat.
First: What RTP Means In This Context
RTP (Return To Player) is the percentage of money that a game pays back over the long run.
If a bet has:
- 1% house edge
that’s roughly: - 99% RTP
Important: RTP is long-run. Short-term results can be anything.
Main Bets vs Side Bets: Different “Returns”
Main Bets (Banker/Player)
These are usually the best value bets in baccarat.
They have a relatively low house edge, so the RTP is relatively high compared to many casino bets.
Side Bets
Side bets often have:
- higher house edge
- lower RTP
- higher volatility
That means the more side bets you place, the more you “pay” in long-run cost.
If you want the risk breakdown first, read How Side Bets Change The Risk Profile Of Baccarat.
Why Your Overall RTP Drops Even If You Keep Your Main Bet The Same
This is the part most players miss.
The Key Idea: Your Overall RTP Is Weighted By What You Bet
Your “session RTP” is not just the RTP of your main bet.
It’s a blend of every wager you place.
So if you place:
- mostly main bets (higher RTP)
your overall return is better.
If you place:
- a lot of side bets (lower RTP)
your overall return drops.
Even if your Banker bet stays flat.
Example: The “Quiet RTP Drop” (Simple)
Let’s say your normal hand is:
- 1 unit on Banker
- plus 0.5 units on a side bet
Even if the main bet is strong value, you’re now wagering more money on the lower-RTP bet than you realize.
Over time, the side bet portion pulls your overall return down.
This is why side bets often “feel” expensive even when you’re not changing your main bet.
If you want to understand how total action affects cost, read Understanding Expected Loss Per Hour In Baccarat.
Side Bets Increase Your Expected Loss Per Hour
Side bets usually increase expected loss per hour in two ways:
1) More Money Per Hand
If you wager more per hand, your long-run cost rises.
Even a small side bet every hand can be a big increase in total action.
2) More Bets Per Hour (Because You Stay Engaged)
Side bets often keep people locked in:
- “I’m close”
- “It hasn’t hit yet”
- “One more shoe”
That makes sessions longer, which increases total cost.
If you want the speed angle, read How Game Speed Affects Expected Loss Rates.
Side Bets Can Lower RTP Indirectly Through Behavior
This is the sneaky part.
Side bets don’t just change the math. They change how people play.
Common behaviors side bets trigger:
- chasing after misses
- pressing bet sizes after hits
- adding more side bets “for a bigger win”
- playing past time limits
- ignoring stop-loss rules
All of those raise your average bet and session length, which reduces your practical “return.”
If you want the mental side, read How To Avoid Tilt While Playing Baccarat.
Does One Side Bet Occasionally “Ruin RTP”?
Not necessarily.
The real damage happens when side bets become:
- frequent
- large
- emotional
- used to recover losses
A tiny side bet once in a while is entertainment.
A side bet every hand becomes a hidden tax.
How To Keep Side Bets From Lowering Your RTP Too Much
If you want side bets for fun, use rules that keep your overall wager mix under control.
Rule 1: Side Bet Budget
Example:
- “10 units total for side bets this session.”
Rule 2: Frequency Cap
Example:
- “Only one side bet every 10 hands.”
Rule 3: Smaller Size Than Your Main Bet
Example:
- main bet 1 unit
- side bet 0.25 unit
Rule 4: No Side Bets When You’re Down
If you’re losing, side bets often become recovery bets, which kills discipline.
If you want a clean side bet guide, read Side Bets In Baccarat Explained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Adding Side Bets Change Banker Or Player RTP?
No. Banker and Player odds don’t change. Your overall session RTP drops because you’re adding wagers that often have lower RTP.
Why Do Side Bets Feel Like They Pay Less Over Time?
Because many side bets are higher house edge and hit less often. You can still hit big, but long-run return tends to be worse.
Can Side Bets Ever Improve RTP?
Usually no, unless a specific side bet is mispriced (rare) or you have an advantage. For most players, side bets lower overall return.
Is It Better To Bet Side Bets Rarely Or Often?
Rarely, if you care about value. Frequent side betting increases total action, volatility, and long-run cost.
What’s The Best Way To Play Baccarat For Higher RTP?
Stick mostly to Banker/Player, keep bet size stable, manage speed, and avoid high-edge bets like Tie and many side bets.
Where To Go Next
You now understand how side bets change baccarat RTP: they add lower-RTP wagers, increase total action, and often trigger behaviors that make sessions longer and more expensive.
Next, we’ll cover why casinos promote side bets so heavily, and how the marketing and table design pushes players toward those higher-profit options.
Continue with Why Casinos Promote Side Bets Heavily.
