How to Use the 1-3-2-4 Betting System for Baccarat

Baccarat is a classic casino game, and one where you have a pretty even chance of winning against the dealer. If you want a way to turn your bets into a bigger payout, the 1-3-2-4 betting method can help you turn a profit and reduce your losses. This simple system is perfect for beginners just learning the rules who don’t want to risk a lot of money, and we’ll guide you every step of the way. Keep reading for a walkthrough of using the 1-3-2-4 system to place bets, along with its pros and cons.

What is the 1324 betting strategy for baccarat?

The 1-3-2-4 method is a betting sequence for increasing your bet amounts during a game of baccarat. Choose a base betting amount (unit) and bet 1 unit during your first hand. If you win, bet the next number of units in the sequence (3 units, 2 units, and 4 units). When you lose, restart the sequence from the beginning.

Section 1 of 7:

Using the 1-3-2-4 Betting Method for Baccarat

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Start the sequence by betting a single unit. A unit is how much you’re willing to bet during a hand, whether it’s the table minimum or an amount you set yourself. Place your bet on the banker or the player, and let the hand play out.^{[1]
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- Example: If you set a unit to $25, then you would bet $25 during the first hand.
- Baccarat typically pays 1:1, so winning a $25 bet gives you $50 total.
- How much should you bet per unit? Choose a unit amount no more than 3% of your total bankroll (for example, if your bankroll is $500, a 3% unit would be $15). It’s a conservative amount, but it keeps you from having major losses if you have a losing streak.
- For a refresher on the rules of Baccarat, jump down to our rules overview.
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Bet the next number of units when you win a hand. If you bet correctly, then continue playing and raise your bet to the next number in the sequence. After winning a 1-unit bet, bet 3 units for the next hand. If you win that one too, then bet 2 units. If you win the third hand, then bet 4 units.^{[2]
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- Example: If you’re using a $25 unit and won the first hand, bet $75 on your next hand. If you’re on a winning streak, bet $50 on the third hand and $100 on the fourth hand.
  - Winning the first hand pays out $25 ($25 profit)
  - Winning the second hand pays out $75 ($100 profit)
  - Winning the third hand pays out $50 ($150 profit)
  - Winning the fourth hand pays out $100 ($250 profit)
- If you reach the end of the sequence and are still winning, start again from the beginning by betting 1 unit.
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Restart the sequence from the beginning if you lose a hand. Unless you’re really lucky, there will be a point where you eventually lose a hand. Whenever you lose, always go back to the start by betting 1 unit on the next hand. That way, you minimize how much money you lose, especially if you get into a losing streak.
- Using the 1-3-2-4 betting system guarantees that you’ll make a profit as long as you win the first 2 hands of the sequence. If a unit is $25 and you lose after the third hand, you still make $50 in profit.

Section 2 of 7:

Pros & Cons of Using the 1-3-2-4 Betting System

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The 1-3-2-4 system is great for beginners because the sequence is easy to follow and you’re less likely to lose a lot of money. Because you always reset to the start of the sequence if you lose, a losing streak won’t cost you as much as if you were making larger bets. You’re also guaranteed to make a profit after winning 2 hands in a row, so it’s good if you want to be more conservative with your money.^{[3]
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Cons Using the 1-3-2-4 betting system works well if the odds are close to 50/50, so it’s only a good option for a few specific games. Because the 1-3-2-4 method places lower bets, it also means you won’t be as big a winner compared to making larger bets.
- If you get on a losing streak, you may also burn through your money more quickly, but that’s true for any amount that you bet.

Section 3 of 7:

Should you bet on the banker or player in baccarat?

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Bet on the banker for the best odds of winning. The banker, or house, has slightly better odds than the player because of the table rules for when to draw extra cards. The banker hand usually has a house edge of 1.06%, which is slightly better than the player hand with a 1.24% house edge.^{[4]
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- Keep in mind that many baccarat tables take a 5% commission whenever you bet on the banker and win. For example, if you bet $100 on the banker’s hand, you would get a payout of $95.

Section 4 of 7:

Should you make side bets in baccarat?

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Side bets have a higher payout, but they’re more difficult to win. Side bets, such as ties, banker pairs, or player pairs, have much better payouts that could multiply your profits, but they’re also less likely to happen during a game. It’s better to stick to simple bets on the player's or banker's hand if you want to try to make a profit.^{[5]
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- Player or Banker Pair: the first 2 cards dealt have the same value (11:1 payout)
  - House Edge: 10.36%
- Perfect Pair: the first 2 cards dealt have the same value and suit (25:1 payout)
  - House Edge: 13% or more
- Tie: the banker and player have the same value after the first 2 cards (8:1 payout)
  - House Edge: 14.36%^{[6]
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Section 5 of 7:

Similar Betting Strategies

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The 1-3-2-6 method is a riskier version of the 1-3-2-4 betting system because you bet 6 units if you win the first 3 hands. Winning on the final bet of the sequence offers a big payout, but losing makes you break even without making any profit.
When you use the Paroli system, double your bet every time you win a hand. Once you lose a bet, drop back down to your original bet amount. This betting strategy is risky because you’ll lose money each time you lose, and it can be difficult to recoup your losses if you get into a long losing streak.^{[7]
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Fibonacci The Fibonacci betting system is based on the Fibonacci sequence of numbers, where each number in the sequence is the sum of the 2 previous numbers (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc.). To use this system, start with a bet of 1 unit. If you lose, raise your bet to the next number in the sequence. When you win a bet, go back 2 numbers in the sequence.^{[8]
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- Example: If you’re using $10 units, your first and second bets would each be $10, your third bet would be $20, and your fourth bet would be $30 if you continue to lose.
- This system can help you recoup your losses quickly, but it can also burn through money quickly if you’re unlucky and don’t win.
With this system, “If you lose, then you double your bet” to try and get your money back, explains casino gambling expert Matthew Bourie. If you keep losing, continue to double your bet.^{[9]
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Matthew Bourie
Casino Gambling and Video Poker Expert

Expert Interview} This system can be risky if you get into a losing streak because you can quickly burn through all your bankroll.

Section 6 of 7:

Baccarat Rules Overview

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Bet on which hand you think will get closest to 9. During a game of baccarat, players place bets before the cards are dealt. Then, the dealer deals out a hand of 2 cards for the “player” and the “banker.” Aces count as 1, 2s-9s count as their face value, and 10s-Kings count as 0. Whichever hand has a total closer to 9 wins, and anyone who bet correctly gets paid out.^{[10]
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- Most baccarat tables deal an extra card if the player's or banker's hand has a total below 5. The banker's hand typically stands and does not receive any extra cards if they have a 6 or 7, but it may vary between tables and casinos.

Section 7 of 7:

More Games to Use the 1-3-2-4 Method

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Blackjack Blackjack has an even lower house edge than baccarat, and either the player or the dealer wins. Even though the dealer still has slightly better odds at winning, the 1-3-2-4 method can still be helpful to reduce your losses and still make a small profit.
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Roulette Roulette is filled with bets that are close to 50/50 odds, such as betting on red or black, even or odd numbers, and high or low. If you plan on using the 1-3-2-4 method, stick to these bets instead of choosing a specific number.^{[11]
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Craps With craps, only use the 1-3-2-4 method when you’re making Pass or Don’t Pass bets. Try to avoid any smaller prop bets that are riskier because you’re more likely to lose your bankroll.

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