Baccarat has always been one of the most popular games in both land-based and online casinos. The game’s simple rules and fast pacing make it appealing to every kind of player. Over time, it’s become more than just a game of chance, given that more and more players explore various tactics to manage their bets and stretch their time.
One of the more talked-about methods is the baccarat hedge betting, which involves placing bets on both the player and the banker sides in one round. By covering both outcomes, players aim to reduce the risk of losing their full stake in a single hand.
This tactic is also often called baccarat both bet or baccarat double-sided betting. It’s seen as a safe-play method. However, you might wonder: Is it allowed, though? And does it help? Here’s a closer look at this popular yet debated tactic.
At its core, the baccarat hedging strategy is an act where you place a bet on both the player and banker at the same time. It’s a tactic used to reduce risk, especially on short sessions. The method is designed to minimise your losses rather than help you chase high payouts.
Some do use it to avoid big losses. Meanwhile, others do it just to survive cold streaks or help stretch their bankroll. The general idea is that if one bet loses, the other may cover some (or most) of the loss.
Keep in mind, though, that this doesn’t guarantee any profit. You’re not gaining extra cash each round. What you’re doing is lowering the chance of walking away empty-handed after just a few rounds. Statistically speaking, here’s a quick look at the typical odds in baccarat:
| Bet type | Winning odds |
| Player bet | 44.62% |
| Banker bet | 45.86% |
| Tie bet | 9.52% |
| Hedge bet | 90.48% |
Looking at the odds, it’s easy to see why the strategy appeals to some players. Betting on both sides gives you a sense of safety in the game. However, in exchange, you’d get low profit and a slower path to any valuable gains.
The appeal of hedging your baccarat bets is simple. In a game, when one side loses, the other side wins. Hedging’s logic lies in the fact that while you still lose one bet, at least you didn’t lose everything. This setup attracts players who prefer safer plays rather than go for a big win.
For a new player, the strategy can be a bit confusing. But once you've tried it, you’ll realise it’s a method that’s easier to pick up. Here’s how this tactic often plays out in a baccarat game:
In essence, the payout for the winning side helps soften your overall loss. If you’re lucky enough, like when a Tie occurs, you’re in for a baccarat breakthrough.
Still, there’s an ongoing debate about whether it actually works in the long run. You’re losing half your bet almost every round. Over time, this eats into your bankroll because of the house edge. Even with reduced volatility, your balance may slowly drop as you keep playing.
Like most betting strategies, baccarat double-sided betting has both its perks and drawbacks. It’s easy to see why some players give it a try. Betting on both sides can help soften the blow of a loss and provide you with a sense of control during fast rounds.
At the same time, this method often leads to smaller returns and limited long-term value. To help you decide if this approach fits your style, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of casino hedging:
Baccarat hedge betting lowers the chance of losing your entire bet. If one side loses, the other wins—so you always recover part of what you wagered. It won’t make you rich, but it can reduce risks and help you stay in the game longer.
When you’re unsure about reading trends or patterns, both betting and gambling let you play on autopilot. In a sense, you don’t have to guess which side is better. What you need to do is place equal bets and let the round play out. This makes it ideal for casual players who want a smooth and less stressful session.
Some players use hedge bets when they’re trying to meet wagering terms for any bonus. While this doesn’t always work, and can get flagged, it’s one way to cycle bets quickly with minimal risk. The key here is to be more careful with your actions and check the bonus terms at all times.
Say you initially felt the player side would win, but doubt suddenly kicks in. By placing a matching bet on the banker, you are creating a safety net for your wager. This also applies to other gambling types, like sports betting, where hedge bets are placed to adjust for new stats or any game shifts that happened mid-game.
While you cover losses in the short term, you’re still losing one bet per round, constantly. Over time, the repeated loss will be manifested in your funds. Hedge betting isn’t a way to erase the house edge. It just slows down its effect.
Many platforms now block double betting. Any attempts to place a bet on both the player and the banker in the same round may trigger system alerts and could flag your session. If detected, your bets might be cancelled. Worse, you’re set to face penalties for the act.
One of the biggest trade-offs of baccarat double betting is missing out on full wins. If you’d placed all your chips on the winning side, you could’ve doubled your return. Instead, your gains are just half as you placed two bets, where one is always bound to lose.
As mentioned, even if you hedge your bets, you still face the house edge on both sides. There’s no way you escape this. Over hundreds of rounds, this steady disadvantage piles up. This means the longer you play, the more likely it is that you’ll walk away with less than what you started with.
When hedging, you need enough funds to place two bets per round instead of just one. This makes the method less suitable for low-stakes players or those who play with tight bankrolls. If you don’t manage your funds well, you’re set to burn them faster than expected.
Baccarat rules don’t directly prohibit hedge betting. The game itself doesn’t stop players from betting on both the player and the banker. That said, the strategy becomes more complicated in practice. Many online casinos restrict this type of betting. It’s not because the game bans it, but it’s more likely due to platform-level limits.
For instance, hedge betting is not allowed in Bitcasino and its baccarat games. This isn’t just their preference; most of the software providers that Bitcasino features are designed to block betting on both sides by default. If you try placing bets on both the player and banker, your second bet may be instantly declined.
So while baccarat hedge betting isn’t illegal, it’s often prohibited in practice. This is why it’s also crucial to check the table and house rules before you place any bets.
Casinos are designed to offer fair play while they protect their long-term advantage. Strategies that take away risks, like hedging, disrupt that balance. So, they restrict these methods to safeguard a game’s integrity.
Another thing: hedge betting slows down gameplay. On live baccarat tables, this can impact the flow of the round and affect other players. It’s especially noticeable when someone is persistent in doubling their bets. It’s also a bit rude if you’re using this method to exploit a casino’s bonus system.
This is why many online casinos and game providers build in systems to block or flag both bets on gambling. When it happens, you may face any of the following penalties:
Friendly tip: To avoid these issues, always check the terms before placing both-side bets. Even if it seems harmless, the system might view it as a breach of fair play.
Baccarat isn’t the only game where hedge betting can be used. This strategy, as it is built to cover multiple outcomes, can also be found in other casino games, even sports betting.
However, the way hedging works depends on the game rules. This means what works in one setup might not apply in another. Have a closer look at how casino hedging shows up across different formats:
In craps, you can hedge your main bet by placing a bet opposite to the Pass Line. Your goal here is to make sure you have no way to lose on the Pass Line bet. Say you wagered $10 on the Pass Line, then placed a $2 bet on the Any Craps.
Now, the shooter rolls either 2, 3, or 12. Your $10 bet loses, but you’ve won $14 for the Any Craps bet. Conversely, if the shooter rolls a 7 or 11, you’ll lose the $2 bet but win the other. This setup lowers the chance of a full loss but also cuts into any profit you might earn.
Blackjack offers a simple form of hedge betting: the insurance bet. When the dealer shows an Ace, you can place an insurance side bet in case the dealer hits blackjack. This way, your hand is protected. However, it comes at a cost. If the dealer happens not to hit blackjack, your insurance money is gone.
At first glance, roulette seems like a game of bold picks, but it can be hedged, too. Some players bet on both red and black, which cancels each other out if a coloured number lands. Your only risk here would be the green 0 (and 00 in American roulette).
Meanwhile, others use various combinations of inside and outside bets to reduce the game’s volatility. However, keep in mind that this setup doesn’t create profit; it is simply aimed to help soften your losses.
Though not a casino game, hedge betting is huge in sports, so it’s still worth mentioning. You can place a bet on one team before a match, then place another bet on the opposite team in-game if the odds shift. Essentially, you’re making a second bet that offsets your first one.
Other punters would even use multiple sportsbooks to lock in a profit from odds differences. This type of hedge is more flexible and can lead to a small guaranteed profit if managed well.
In all these cases, it is clear that hedge betting lowers risk. However, it doesn’t guarantee any gains. It takes planning, budget, and careful timing to work. Still, the principle remains the same: balance out your bets so you’re less likely to walk away with a full loss.
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Yes, you can win, but only in very specific situations; circumstances like if you didn’t put equal bets for each side. Betting on both sides can help you avoid losing everything in a round. However, as one of your bets always loses, you’re unlikely to turn a huge profit.
Yes, casino hedging can also be used in games like craps, blackjack, and roulette. You can bet on both sides or place side bets to reduce risks. However, the rules vary per game, so not every form of hedging is possible.
Yes, you can. In roulette, you can hedge by placing bets on even-money bets like red and black or by combining outside and inside bets. On the other hand, you can hedge sports bets with in-game bets or place them across multiple sites to secure returns and reduce risks as odds change.
Yes, and it is most likely possible online. Most platforms have systems in place that help detect any hedge bets placed in the same round. Casinos may block one side of the bet, reject it, or flag the account, especially if they restrict such an approach.
Yes, casinos will impose penalties if you’re hedging on sites where such acts are restricted. Your winnings or bonuses may be voided, or you could face account suspension. In serious cases, you might get blacklisted from the platform as well.
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