Analyzing the Dragon Bonus Side Bet in Baccarat
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The baccarat dragon bonus bet is one of the most popular side wagers in the classic card game. This wager is especially popular online, but is the dragon bonus worth the risk?
This free guide will break down everything you need to know about the dragon bonus in online baccarat. I will give you a step-by-step guide to making the dragon bonus wager in baccarat. Also, I will provide an in-depth look at its payout odds, best strategies, and more.
What Is the Dragon Bonus Bet?
So, what is the dragon bonus bet in baccarat? This side wager rewards players for correctly betting on the winning hand. The bigger your margin of victory, the better your payout.
For the best payout odds, you must win by a large margin without a natural. There are only two ways to truly lose the dragon bonus bet in baccarat:
- Bet on the wrong hand
- Win by three or fewer points
If you avoid those two outcomes, you will receive a payout from this wager. A tie results in a push for the dragon bonus bet.
Dragon Bonus Baccarat Payout Structure
You can make the dragon bonus bet on either hand in baccarat. Regardless of the hand you bet on, your chosen hand must win for you to win this side wager.
The exact odds can vary from one casino to another, but here is an example of the payout odds for the baccarat dragon bonus:
- Win by 9 points without a natural = 30:1 odds
- Win by 8 points without a natural = 10:1
- Win by 7 points without a natural = 6:1
- Win by 6 points without a natural = 4:1
- Win by 5 points without a natural = 2:1
- Win by 4 points without a natural = 1:1
- Win with a natural = 1:1
- Tie = Push
- Bet on losing hand = No payout
The payout odds are the same whether you are betting on the Banker or Player hand with this side wager. Also, you can bet on either hand in this bet, regardless of the outcome you bet on with your stake wager.
Baccarat Dragon Bonus Odds and House Edge
The banker hand bet has a slight edge over the player hand bet in baccarat’s base game. However, the same cannot be said for the dragon bonus wager. The exact house edge can vary from one secure casino site to another, but generally speaking, the player hand has a low house edge in this wager.
Betting on the player hand rewards you with a 97.35% RTP, or a house edge of 2.65%. The banker hand, by comparison, has an RTP of just 90.83%, or a house edge of 9.17%.
Baccarat Dragon Bonus Strategies
As with any side wager, the dragon bonus in baccarat has a higher house edge than the base game wagers. On the bright side, you can minimize the risk of this baccarat side bet with the right casino strategy.
Always Bet a Small Amount on the Dragon Bonus
One of the easiest ways to take advantage of the high-paying dragon bonus in baccarat is to always bet on it. After all, you cannot win the dragon bonus if you do not bet on it. However, this method can be expensive, especially if you do not have a large bankroll.
Luckily, there is an easy solution to this problem. Betting a smaller amount on the dragon bonus than you do on your ante wager can give you all the benefits of this wager with minimal risk.
For instance, let’s say you play baccarat at $5 per hand. In this situation, betting just $1 on the dragon bonus every round is a cost-effective way to use this side wager.
Count Cards to Gain an Advantage
Counting cards in blackjack is one of the most well-known advantage play techniques. With practice, you can use a similar method to gain an advantage in baccarat.
Usually, betting on the banker hand every round is the safest way to pay baccarat. It has the lowest house edge, even if you have to pay a commission. If you count cards, you can switch to betting on the player hand when the deck favors doing so.
Likewise, you can count cards in baccarat for an advantage in when to bet on the banker hand with this side wager. The house edge on the banker hand is nearly 10% for this bet, so any tactic that lets you minimize your risk is worth a shot.
Hedge Your Bet
Another effective baccarat dragon bonus strategy is to use the wager to hedge your bet. For instance, let’s say you do not want to count cards and simply place the banker hand bet every round.
If you then bet on the player hand dragon bonus every round, you are making the two lowest house edge wagers. Also, you minimize your chances of completely losing the hand. Winning the dragon bonus could more than cover your losses on the ante wager.
Pros and Cons of the Baccarat Dragon Bonus Bet
The dragon bonus in baccarat is one of the most straightforward bets to make in the casino, but is it worth the risk? Let’s look at the pros and cons of the baccarat dragon bonus wager.
Advantages of the Baccarat Dragon Bonus
As I mentioned above, the dragon bonus is easy to make and offers the chance to win a huge payout. Another pro of this bet is that it is flexible, allowing you to double down on your ante wager or bet against your stake in the base game.
A third advantage of this bet is that, if you place it on the player hand, you benefit from a low house edge. Many casino side wagers have a high house edge, but the edge on the dragon bonus player bet is just 2.65%, only slightly higher than the edge on the ante wagers.
Disadvantages of the Baccarat Dragon Bonus
Despite the advantages above, there are also disadvantages of the dragon bonus bet that players should be aware of. For instance, the side wager essentially punishes you for winning with a natural, offering just a 1:1 payout.
The chance at payouts of up to 30:1 can also be too tempting for some players, leading inexperienced bettors to place huge wagers on the side bet. A third con is that the house edge on the banker hand dragon bonus wager is nearly 10%, much higher than the edge on the ante wager.
Where to Play Baccarat With the Dragon Bonus Side Bet Online
Baccarat and its side bets tend to be easy to learn, and the best way to master the game and all of its betting options is to try them for yourself. Here are three online casino sites that offer baccarat with the dragon bonus side wager.
BetOnline Casino
BetOnline is one of the top all-around gambling sites, and it offers multiple variations of baccarat for members to choose from. One of the five different baccarat games available in the casino is dragon baccarat.
In addition to having a great selection of baccarat games, BetOnline also accepts multiple secure banking methods. You can deposit with Bitcoin or other cryptos, as well as credit cards. New members can claim up to $250 in free bets with the No Strings welcome offer.
Wild Casino
Another excellent option for playing online baccarat with the dragon bonus is Wild Casino. This site offers several baccarat games, including baccarat with the dragon bonus side bet. You cannot play for free, but the casino provides excellent bonuses to its members.
For instance, new members can get up to $9,000 in bonus baccarat funds with the 900% crypto welcome bonus. Your funds are spread out over your first five deposits with an accepted cryptocurrency.
SportsBetting.ag
SportsBetting.ag also has a wide selection of baccarat games for members to choose from. One of the many baccarat options at this gambling site is Dragon Baccarat, which offers the dragon bonus. This site has a fantastic UI, making navigating and finding its baccarat games easy.
Members of SportsBetting can use the site’s rewarding bonuses to build their baccarat bankrolls. For instance, the 300% casino welcome bonus offers up to $4,000 in extra casino funds across your first four deposits.
Have You Tried the Baccarat Dragon Bonus Wager?
The baccarat dragon bonus can be one of the most rewarding side bets in the casino. However, as with any side wager, you must overcome an increased house edge to succeed with this bet. Check out the guide above to learn how to make the dragon bonus side bet in baccarat. I break down the rules for this side bet, its odds, and the best dragon bonus strategies. After reading our guide, sign up at BetOnline Casino to try baccarat with the dragon bonus online today.
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