Quick Answer: What Happens When You Add Side Bets?
Side bets usually:
- increase volatility (bigger swings)
- increase average bet size (even if you don’t notice)
- increase expected loss per hour (more money “in action”)
- increase tilt risk (because of higher emotional peaks)
They can be fun, but they make baccarat less stable.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Baccarat.
Baccarat’s Main Bets Are “Smooth” For A Reason
When you bet Banker or Player, most results are:
- win 1 unit
- lose 1 unit
- tie pushes (in many setups)
That keeps outcomes steady and predictable.
If you want the big volatility explanation, read Why Baccarat Is Considered A Low-Volatility Table Game.
Side Bets Are Naturally Higher Volatility
Side bets are not “50/50-ish” events.
They’re specific outcomes like:
- a pair
- Banker winning with a 3-card 7
- Player winning with a 3-card 8
- total cards dealt being Big/Small
These happen less often, so the experience becomes:
- lots of misses
- occasional hits
- bigger payouts
That’s exactly what high volatility feels like.
Why Side Bets Make Your Bankroll Swings Bigger
1) You Lose More Hands (On The Side Bet)
Even if your main bet wins, your side bet can lose.
So you’ll often have hands that feel like:
- “I won… but my bankroll didn’t move much.”
or - “I lost more than I expected.”
That creates frustration, which fuels chasing.
2) Your Average Bet Size Quietly Increases
This is the most important part.
If your main bet is 1 unit, and you add:
- 0.5 units side bet
Your average bet per hand becomes 1.5 units.
That’s a 50% increase in action per hand.
If you do side bets every hand, your session cost increases even if you never raise your main bet.
If you want the simple math model, read Understanding Expected Loss Per Hour In Baccarat.
3) Side Bets Encourage “Recovery Thinking”
This is the classic trap:
“I’m down. One Dragon 7 and I’m back.”
So instead of playing to your plan, you start playing for a bailout outcome.
That’s not strategy. That’s tilt.
If you want the mental breakdown, read The Psychology Of Chasing Streaks In Baccarat.
Side Bets Change Your Session Cost Per Hour
Side bets often increase:
- total money wagered per hour
- decision pressure
- speed of losses during bad runs
Even if the house edge on your main bet is low, adding side bets usually increases the overall edge you’re paying.
So sessions become:
- more expensive
- more swingy
- more emotionally intense
Why Side Bets Feel More “Addictive”
Side bets create a slot-like loop:
- miss
- miss
- miss
- big hit (sometimes)
- “I’m close, it’ll hit soon”
That “it’ll hit soon” mindset is exactly how chasing starts.
The scoreboard can make it worse, because players start believing:
- “It’s been a while since a pair.”
- “Dragon 7 is due.”
If you want the clean myth-busting on this, read Why Pattern Tracking Doesn’t Predict Baccarat Outcomes.
How To Keep Side Bets From Wrecking Your Risk Profile
If you want side bets for fun, treat them like a separate mini-budget.
Rule 1: Use A Side Bet Budget
Example:
- “10 units total for side bets tonight.”
When it’s gone, you stop.
Rule 2: Cap Frequency
Pick a rule like:
- 1 side bet every 10 hands
- or only once per shoe
- or only when you’re already up
Rule 3: Keep Side Bet Size Smaller Than Your Main Bet
If your main bet is 1 unit, keep side bets:
- 0.25 units
- or 0.5 units max
Rule 4: Never Use Side Bets To Recover
If you’re down and emotional, side bets should be off-limits.
If you want a clean tilt prevention plan, read How To Avoid Tilt While Playing Baccarat.
A Simple “Controlled Side Bet” Plan
If you want a realistic plan that doesn’t explode:
- main bet: 1 unit (flat)
- side bet size: 0.25 unit
- frequency: once every 10 hands
- side bet budget: 10 units max per session
- side bets disabled when down 10+ units
- stop-loss stays the same (no exceptions)
This keeps side bets as entertainment, not a bankroll engine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Side Bets Change The Odds Of Banker Or Player?
No. They don’t change the main bet odds. They change your session results by adding extra wagers and extra volatility.
Why Do Side Bets Feel Like They Hit In Clusters?
Variance. Rare events can appear close together sometimes, which makes people think patterns exist.
Can Side Bets Make Baccarat More Profitable?
Not in the long run. They usually increase volatility and house edge. They can create big short-term wins, but they also increase long-term cost.
What’s The Safest Way To Use Side Bets?
Use a strict budget, cap frequency, keep chip size small, and never chase.
Should Beginners Avoid Side Bets?
Usually yes. Beginners tend to overuse them and chase after misses.
Where To Go Next
You now understand how side bets change baccarat’s risk profile: higher volatility, higher average action, higher session cost, and more chasing pressure.
Next, we’ll compare side bets and talk about which ones tend to offer the best return (and which are usually the worst deals), so you can make smarter choices if you decide to use them.
Continue with Which Baccarat Side Bets Offer The Best Return?.
