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Baccarat is one of the most popular casino table games, loved for its simple rules, fast gameplay and good odds for players. While baccarat involves some luck, there are ways to improve your chances and enjoy more winning sessions. We asked several professional baccarat players who make a living playing live dealer baccarat games to share their top tips. Have a Healthy Bankroll Bankroll management is key to lasting long enough to ride out the inevitable ups and downs. The BetCity experts recommend having at least 80-100 betting units as your bankroll for baccarat. For example, if your average bet size is $25, then have $2,000-$2,500 allocated for playing baccarat. “You need a sizable bankroll to absorb losing streaks while waiting for the tide to turn. If you deplete your bankroll early on, you won't have the chance to win it back later,” explains pro player Henry G. Only bet an amount you can afford to lose per session and stick to it. Chasing losses by increasing your bets dramatically when in the red only intensifies the risk. Know the Baccarat Bet Types There are three main bets in the baccarat game: Player bet – Bet on the player's hand to win. This has a slight edge over the banker's hand. Banker bet – Bet on the banker's hand to win. This has better odds, but there is a 5% commission on what you win. Tie bet – Bet that the player's hand and the banker's hand will tie. The payout is huge at 8-to-1 if you win, but ties happen rarely. Most pros stick to the player and banker bets most of the time due to the lower house edge. They may put a small amount on ties as those wins give a nice boost, but approach it as a bonus side bet rather than a consistent strategy. Pick Player or Banker Side Baccarat has a slight difference in odds between the player and banker sides. “I always stick to betting the player hand. In the long run, it has marginally better odds,” says baccarat expert Olivia S. However, other pros prefer the banker side: “I don't mind paying the 5% commission on banker wins because it still has an edge over the player hand. Just be sure the commission is clearly posted so there are no surprises,” suggests pro gambler Lucas T. So feel free to pick player or banker betting based on your preference. The edge is small between them. But don't flip-flop constantly between sides – pick one for consistency. Scout the Baccarat Tables Not all baccarat tables are equal. Finding a good table with favorable rules and pacing can affect your experience. Our experts suggest scouting the available tables before buying in. “I check that tie bets pay at least 8-to-1 odds if I want to dabble in them. Also, ensure it uses 6-8 decks and has fair penetration into the shoe before it's reshuffled,” notes baccarat pro Nikki R. Also, pay attention to the flow of gameplay. Some tables play faster while others move slowly. This impacts how many hands you play per hour and potential earnings. “I look for tables with a steady tempo, not too fast or too slow. Quick dealer changes if needed are also a plus,” adds expert Louisa T. Bottom line – scout tables first, then commit to the best option you find for your playing style. Have a Stop Loss Limit All pros use stop loss limits to control risks on losing days. Determine the maximum amount you are willing to lose per session and stick to it. Stop playing for the day if you reach that loss amount, even if it's earlier than your planned session length. “If I'm having an unlucky day and hit my stop loss limit quickly, I walk away and clear my head. Continuing to play while on tilt often just makes things worse,” explains pro player Ryan S. Come back refreshed another day when the cards and luck may be more in your favor. Think Long Term While any player can have winning or losing sessions in the short run, baccarat rewards skill and persistence over time. As long as you maintain proper bankroll management and stop loss discipline, the odds tilt in your favor. “I think of baccarat outcomes like a sine wave – there are peaks and valleys. But with enough volume, my edge ultimately wins out,” says expert baccarat player Maya D. So don't worry too much about the daily ups and downs. Focus on perfecting your betting strategy over the long haul. Proper bankroll management will help you ride out short-term variances until your edge kicks in. Take Notes on Results Serious baccarat players keep records of their sessions, including betting patterns, amounts won/lost per play, table numbers, dealer changes, and any trends noticed. Software and Excel sheets can automate much of this tracking. “Keeping detailed records helps me analyze results, fine-tune my betting patterns, detect any dealer signatures or sluggish shoes, and overall improve,” says baccarat pro Alex G. Review your tracked results regularly, not just monetary outcomes but key situational factors like betting spreads, shoe penetration, durations, and table numbers. Look for any tendencies you can optimize or pitfalls to avoid. This thoughtful analysis will boost your edge. Know When to Walk Away Some days you have the hot hand and can't seem to lose. Other days, nothing seems to work, and you take loss after loss. That's the nature of a game with an element of luck. The experts recognize when they're in the zone or in a funk and adjust appropriately: “If I've clearly had a run of bad luck for several shoes, I just call it a day, even if I haven't reached my stop loss amount. Continuing to play while in a poor mindset hurts my strategy. I come back fresh another day,” advises baccarat pro Jennifer L. Preserving your precious bankroll to fight another day is key. Know when to walk away temporarily and when to ride out short-term bumps based on your feel and notes. Don't let frustration or desperation lead to poor decisions that set you back further. Conclusion Mastering baccarat requires blending skill, strategy, and emotional control to navigate the peaks and valleys. By following these tips from the experts, you set yourself up for more winning success over time: Have a large enough bankroll Know the bets Pick the player or banker side Scout the tables Set stop losses Think long term Take notes & analyze Know when to walk away Stay disciplined, keep perspective, stick to the charted course, and watch your edge kick in over the many hands of baccarat you'll play. When luck meets preparation, more winning thrills await.