Quick Answer: Why Do Casinos Love Side Bets?
Because side bets usually:
- have higher house edge than Banker/Player
- increase total money wagered per hour
- create bigger emotional swings (which increases chasing)
- keep players playing longer
- boost casino profit without changing the core game
Side bets don’t need to “win more often” to be profitable. They just need players to keep placing them.
If you want the full big-picture guide first, start here: The Complete Guide To Baccarat.
Main Bets Are Harder For Casinos To “Mark Up”
Banker/Player bets are simple and competitive.
Most players know baccarat has decent value on main bets compared to many casino options, so casinos can’t easily “sell” those bets as a big profit engine.
Side bets are different:
- payouts vary by table
- rules vary by casino
- players don’t always know the true cost
- the excitement sells itself
So side bets are where casinos can earn more per hand.
If you want the RTP angle, read How Baccarat RTP Changes With Side Bets Added.
Side Bets Increase Total Action (Even When Main Bets Stay Flat)
This is the quiet genius of side bets.
A player might say:
“I’m still betting $25 on Banker.”
But if they add:
- $5 on a side bet every hand
They just increased their total wager by 20% per hand.
Over time, that extra action increases:
- expected loss per hour
- volatility
- the casino’s theoretical win
If you want the simple model, read Understanding Expected Loss Per Hour In Baccarat.
Side Bets Create Bigger “Hit Moments”
Casinos love big payout moments because they:
- feel memorable
- keep players excited
- create stories (“I hit Dragon 7!”)
- make people believe a big win is around the corner
Even if the bet is negative EV, the emotional hit makes it feel worth repeating.
That’s why side bets are designed to:
- hit rarely
- pay big
- create dopamine spikes
Side Bets Encourage The “Due” Mindset
Casinos don’t need you to understand probability.
They just need you to feel like something is about to happen.
Side bets naturally create thoughts like:
- “It hasn’t hit in a while.”
- “Pairs are due.”
- “Dragon 7 is coming.”
That mindset increases betting frequency and size.
If you want the myth-busting on that, read Why Pattern Tracking Doesn’t Predict Baccarat Outcomes.
Casinos Use Design Tricks To Push Side Bets
Here are common tactics you’ll notice:
1) Visual Highlighting
Side bet areas are often:
- brighter
- animated
- placed close to the main action
Online, they’re frequently the largest buttons on the screen.
2) “Hot” Indicators
Many live dealer games show:
- last hits
- “hot streaks”
- flashing icons when a side bet hits
It makes the bet feel more active and “trackable.”
3) Dealer Hype (Subtle Or Not)
Dealers might call out:
- “Lucky 6!”
- “Pair!”
- “Dragon!”
Even if it’s not intentional persuasion, it creates attention and excitement.
4) Paytable Complexity
Side bet rules and payouts vary, which makes them harder to evaluate.
When a bet is confusing, most players don’t calculate value—they follow emotion.
Side Bets Also Keep Risk-Averse Players At The Table
Even players who prefer calm sessions can get pulled in.
They think:
“I’ll just add a tiny side bet for fun.”
Then the side bet misses 10 times, and the brain says:
“It has to hit soon.”
That’s how side bets turn a low-drama game into a chase game.
If you want the psychology angle, read The Psychology Of Chasing Streaks In Baccarat.
How To Enjoy Side Bets Without Falling Into The Casino Trap
If you want side bets, you need rules that keep them from becoming a habit.
Rule 1: Side Bets Are Entertainment, Not Recovery
Never place side bets because you’re down.
Rule 2: Use A Side Bet Budget
Example:
- “10 units total for side bets tonight.”
When the budget is gone, stop.
Rule 3: Cap Frequency
Example:
- “One side bet every 10 hands.”
Rule 4: Keep Side Bets Smaller Than Main Bets
Example:
- main bet 1 unit
- side bet 0.25 units
Rule 5: If You Feel Tilt, Side Bets Turn Off
If you’re annoyed or chasing, side bets are gasoline.
If you want a tilt plan, read How To Avoid Tilt While Playing Baccarat (Article #39).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Casinos Make More Money From Side Bets?
Often, yes. Side bets can have higher house edge and increase total action per hour, which boosts casino profit.
Why Do Side Bets Feel Like They’re “Due”?
Because rare outcomes create long gaps between hits sometimes. Your brain treats the gap as a signal, but it’s just variance.
Are Side Bets Ever Worth Playing?
They can be worth it as entertainment if you cap budget and frequency. For value-focused play, main bets are usually better.
Why Are Side Bets So Popular In Online Baccarat?
Online interfaces highlight them, show hot indicators, and make them easy to click every hand—so they become a habit faster.
What’s The Best Way To Resist Side Bet Pressure?
Decide your side bet budget and frequency before you start, and never use side bets to recover losses.
Where To Go Next
You now know why casinos promote side bets so aggressively: higher edge, more total action, bigger emotional hits, and design tricks that keep players clicking.
Next, we’ll get practical about evaluating side bets by looking at true odds and how to think about payouts versus how often a side bet actually hits.
Continue with How To Evaluate The True Odds Of Baccarat Side Bets.
