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Reason #1 why the Wizard likes Bovada:
Excellent customer support
The thing that separates Bovada from the rest is its customer support. Many other online gaming companies outsource their support. It can be difficult getting a response from them, and if you do it is often slow and handled by somebody with little understanding of gambling or even of English. But Bovada’s support is handled by Bovada, and their support staff is actually knowledgeable and helpful.
I’m so confident that you’ll have a good experience with Bovada that if you have a problem getting paid and you can’t resolve it with them on your own, I’ll talk to them myself. I personally have known the Bovada management for about three years and always found them to be professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. I have also personally visited one of their call centers so I could see first-hand how they handle customer issues. (More on my mediation service.)
If you have a problem with any other casino besides Bovada, I can’t help you. I get complaints from players of other online casinos every day who have difficulty getting paid. However that isn’t my job nor my problem. If you play at Bovada after clicking through my site I’ll stand behind you 100%. Any place else and you’re on your own.
Baccarat Appendix 6 — Commission Free Baccarat
Last Update: Sep 19, 2010
The page covers various variants of commission free baccarat I have seen or heard of. Here is a list:
- EZ Baccarat
- Commission Free Baccarat — U.K. variant
- Commission Free Baccarat — Amsterdam variant
- Commission Free Baccarat — Philippines variant
- Commission Free Baccarat — Singapore variant
- Commission Free Baccarat — Mystery variant
EZ Baccarat
On July 3, 2004, at the Plaza in Las Vegas I observed a no-commission baccarat game called EZ Baccarat.In April, 2008, I saw it at the Paris casino in Las Vegas. In November, 2008, I saw it at the Barona casino in California. Another reader reported in May 2010 that all the Trump casinos in Atlantic City have the game.
The rules followed standard baccarat except on the banker bet: (1) all wins pay even money, and (2) if the banker wins with a 3-card total of 7 then the banker bet will push. In addition, there is a "Dragon Bet" on a three card winning banker hand of 7 points that paid 40 to 1.
The following table shows the possible outcomes of the banker bet, based on six decks. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 1.02%
| EZ Baccarat | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Combinations | Probability | Pays | Return |
| Banker win | 383290367308416 | 0.436118 | 1 | 0.436118 |
| Normal tie | 83552962932288 | 0.095069 | 0 | 0 |
| Banker 3-card 7 win | 19805383926144 | 0.022535 | 0 | 0 |
| Player win | 392220492728832 | 0.446279 | -1 | -0.446279 |
| Total | 878869206895680 | 1 | -0.010161 | |
With a probability of winning of 2.2535%, the house edge on the Dragon Bet is 7.61%.
I had a false report that at the Canterbury Park casino in Shokopee, MN the banker bet loses on a 3-card 7. If that was the case, then the house edge on the banker bet would be 3.27%.
U.K. Variant
This variant of baccarat follows the conventional rules, except a winning banker bets pays even money, except 1 to 2 (half) on a winning total of six. The house edge on the player and tie bets are the same as regular baccarat. The house edge on the banker bet is 1.46%. This game is called "Punto Banco 2000" in England, and just "Commission Free Baccarat" in the United States.
| Commission Free Baccarat — Banker Win on 6 pays 1 to 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Combinations | Probability | Pays | Return |
| Banker wins 1-1 | 2023020261982210 | 0.404734 | 1 | 0.404734 |
| Banker wins 1-2 | 269232304455680 | 0.053864 | 0.5 | 0.026932 |
| Player wins | 2230518282592260 | 0.446247 | -1 | -0.446247 |
| Tie | 475627426473216 | 0.095156 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 4998398275503360 | 1 | -0.014581 | |
The Pala casino in San Diego offers two side bets in this game, the Lucky Bonus and 3-card 6.
Philippines variant
I have an unconfirmed report that in the Philippines they offer Commission Free Baccarat, except banker wins pay as follows:
- Banker has 7, player has 4, pays 2 to 1.
- Banker has 7, player has 0-3, 5, or 6 pays 1 to 2.
- All other banker wins pay 1 to 1.
| EZ Baccarat — Philippines Variant | ||
| Win | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0.009198 | 0.018396 |
| 1 | 0.381717 | 0.381717 |
| 0.5 | 0.067682 | 0.033841 |
| 0 | 0.095156 | 0 |
| -1 | 0.446247 | -0.446247 |
| Total | 1 | -0.012292 |
Singapore Variant
I have an unconfirmed report that in Singapore they offer Commission Free Baccarat, in which Banker wins of 8 pay 1 to 2. Another reader denies this, saying they follow the U.K. rules in Singapore. Regardless of what they do in Singapore, the following table shows a house edge of 4.07% on the Banker bet if a win on 8 pays 1 to 2.
| Commission Free Baccarat — Banker Win on 8 pays 1 to 2 | ||
| Win | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.352581 | 0.352581 |
| 0.5 | 0.106017 | 0.053008 |
| 0 | 0.095156 | 0 |
| -1 | 0.446247 | -0.446247 |
| Total | 1 | -0.040658 |
Amsterdam Variant
I have had two reports that in Amsterdam they offer Commission Free Baccarat, in which Banker wins of 5 pay 1 to 2. The table below shows a house edge of 0.93% on the Banker bet.
| Commission Free Baccarat — Amsterdam Variant | ||
| Win | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.415240 | 0.41524 |
| 0.5 | 0.043357 | 0.021679 |
| 0 | 0.095156 | 0 |
| -1 | 0.446247 | -0.446247 |
| Total | 1 | -0.009328 |
Mystery Variant
I once heard of a baccarat variant where both player and banker hit on 5 or less. Sorry, I don't know the name or where it can be found. Here are the full rules.
- Banker or player 8 or 9 is a natural, neither hand draws.
- Both banker and player stand on 6 and 7, draw on 0 to 5.
- All wins pay even money except winning 3, which is a push.
- Ties push
The following tables show the possible outcomes of either banker or player bet.
| Mystery Variant | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Combinations | Probability | Pays | Return |
| Win | 384732321058944 | 0.437758 | 1 | 0.437758 |
| Loss | 398265579972864 | 0.453157 | -1 | -0.453157 |
| Tie | 82338046949952 | 0.093686 | 0 | 0 |
| Winning 3 | 13533258913920 | 0.015398 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 878869206895680 | 1 | 0 | -0.015398 |
The lower right cell shows a house edge of 1.54% on both banker and player bets.
Other Baccarat Pages
Go back to baccarat
Go to baccarat appendix 1
Go to baccarat appendix 2
Go to baccarat appendix 3
Go to baccarat appendix 4
Go to baccarat appendix 5
Go to baccarat appendix 7
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