Regular players will identify with that exciting buzz we feel when joining a live Baccarat table. We look at the dealer and think about a winning method we could put into action.

We’re aware not every single outcome we bet on can win thus we instinctively know we need to use a Baccarat strategy that’ll give us the best possible chance of trying to win more than we stand to lose.

The art of winning the game of Baccarat boils down to getting our betting decisions in harmony with the flow of the type of ‘shoe trend’ that’s developing.

We must first become familiar with the four key shoe trends. Then decide when to implement any one of the two most profitable shoe trends from the four. Finally, we must begin the betting process. Executed correctly, achieving steady Baccarat success becomes more attainable.

Reading a Baccarat shoe at an early stage, to determine the likelihood of its trend type will give you a winning advantage. Predicting a dominate shoe trend is relatively easy as I’ll explain. However, you’re only ever predicting how a shoe might end up overall based upon previous outcomes as a shoe develops.

In a live, fast-paced Baccarat game, a forming pattern can give you an idea of the likelihood of whether a shoe is strong Zigzag streak, strong Banker and/or Player streaks or one of the other two trend types. Although microanalysis can be misleading, don’t allow uncertainly to put you off. 

Here are the most common types of shoe trends as seen on the main road or big road scoreboards. I prefer viewing this layout because outcomes are displayed in a logical format which makes it easy to recognise patterns forming into trends.

TREND #1: THE ZIGZAGY ZONE

In the following shoe trend example, what I call, the ‘ZIGZAGY Zone,’ note that the outcomes are predominantly zigzagged. Zigzags are chops or changes between Bankers and Players. The zigzag zone is made up of first and second line outcomes.

These outcomes only occasionally breakout of the zigzag zone thereby forming Banker or Player streaks. But these do not continue and so the zigzag zone dominates.

Baccarat zigzags

TREND #2: THE STREAKY BANKERS AND PLAYERS

In the next, B/P STREAKY shoe trend example, the outcomes are predominantly streaks of Bankers and Players. In my opinion, streaks truly begin from the third line onwards. You can see that although the first and second lines display outcomes, this is generally a brief occurrence since there is a strong presence of streaky Bankers and Players vertically; back to back. 

This means that the first and second lines are only being filled on the scoreboard as transition outcomes i.e. from Banker to Player streaks and vice versa. Only occasionally does the pattern of this shoe show a short zigzag zone streak without Player or Banker streak breakouts occurring. Thus, in my opinion these mini zigzag zone breakouts are short-lived blips that can be ignored because Streaky Players and Bankers are dominant.  

Baccarat-streaks

I’ve explained how to identify two of the most important Baccarat shoe trends, but it’s equally important to bear in mind you’ll not always be able to predict what trend a shoe might end up being regarded as

It’s this uncertainty that’ll impact upon your betting decisions. The formations of shoe outcomes can completely switch from being ZIGZAGY pattern strong at one stage of a shoe to being Banker and Player STREAKY pattern strong at another stage. 

TREND #3: THE TREND SWITCH TREATMENT

When you experience, what I call, the TREND SWITCH TREATMENT, this is an attack on the conclusion you would’ve formed out of your analysis. But you should understand that part of gaining chips when betting in Baccarat involves taking the rough with the smooth. You can’t always get it right. 

Money management will assist you in withstanding the uncertainty the game brings thereby protecting your bankroll. Or you may decide to change Baccarat tables in hope of identifying a trend that might remain favourable long enough for your winnings to increase, especially if you up your wagers during such fruitful periods.

The following shoe trend example is what a typical trend switch treatment shoe looks like: 

Baccarat switch trend treatment

TREND #4: THE HOVERING STATE

The final shoe type I’d like you to look at is, what I call, the HOVERING STATE. As you can see, the outcomes that have formed indicate the shoe pattern cannot make up its mind therefore there’s no trend breakout. This type of hovering shoe doesn’t favour the dominance of zigzags or streaks of Bankers and/or Players. However, in and of itself it is nevertheless a trend. 

Though I believe it’s difficult to profit from this type of Baccarat shoe. The best form of defensive in protecting your bankroll, in my opinion, is to apply stop losses into your game. You could also sit it out and wait for a new shoe to begin or simply change Baccarat tables.

Baccarat hovering state

SUMMARY

So, let’s recap. We’ve looked at the following four shoe types.

  1. The ZIGZAGY Zone
  2. The STREAKY Bankers and Players 
  3. The TREND SWITCH TREATMENT 
  4. The HOVERING STATE

By logging into your 888 Casino account, you’ll be able to become familiar with these shoe types. Simply study some live casino Baccarat games in action. Moreover, you could also examine shoes that are almost complete. (before the data disappears) How many shoe types can you identify?

Implementation:

To increase your chances of winning you need to look for any one of the “first two Baccarat shoe types” so that you can follow those trends.

Before you start betting, you’ll want to be sure a trend has begun. Once you believe it has, simply place your bets by following the rules of the trend type you’ve identified.

For instance, if you’ve identified the shoe might end up being a Zigzag zone dominate trend then always bet ‘opposite’ or against the last outcome. So, if Player is the last outcome (and the pattern informs that the trend is still within the zigzag zone) then your next bet must be Banker. If you lose just continue betting opposite up to a stop loss of 2x and reassess. So, if you lose again - stop.

If you’ve identified the trend might end up being a streaky Banker and/or Player shoe, then always ‘bet on the last outcome’ reoccurring. So, if Player is the last outcome (and the pattern informs that the trend is still streaky Player/Banker) then your next bet must be Player.

If the next outcome happens to be a Banker, (a change occurred) resulting in a loss, you might want to double down betting the likelihood of a continuing streak. Therefore, you would bet Banker hoping that the streak continues, but now on Banker following the single transition from Player. 

Again, as in the zigzagy zone trend, if you lose twice this should be your trigger to stop betting. Then reassess.    

Consistent practice and the ability to identify the four main Baccarat trends should improve your game and this may reflect in the number of outcomes you’ll win as you become familiar with the best times to bet and what side to bet on.

Stephen R. Tabone is an English Writer from Great Britain. He is a casino games professional pattern player and outcomes systemiser. He is the Author of Bestselling Baccarat books, ‘The Ultimate Silver Bullet Proof Baccarat Winning Strategy 2.1’ and ‘The Ultimate Golden Secret Baccarat Winning Strategy 3.0’.

In 2011, Mr. Tabone earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Creative Writing and Philosophy from the University of Greenwich, London. And holds qualifications in Law and in Business.