If you’ve ever played baccarat before, you’ll probably already know that, while it’s pretty simple on the surface, there are a few deceptively deep plays you could make to help the game run to your advantage. That said, as with all casino games (online and offline), there are never any guaranteed ways for you to win or change the game!
However, one set of techniques popular with millions of players around the world is the Golden Secret baccarat strategy. It’s so popular that you’ll find all kinds of books published on the topic, and you might even hear some pro players claim that it’s their chosen way to plan ahead for games.
But does it actually work? What does the Golden Secret baccarat strategy involve? Set aside a minute or two while I take you through what you need to know.
Understanding baccarat strategies
Regardless of the baccarat players you might speak to, it’s pretty likely that they’ve all used strategies or systems at some point. Systems and strategies help us to find patterns in gameplay – and for the most part, they’re pretty harmless! However, it’s always important to keep close tabs on your bankroll and playing time so that you don’t overspend on gambling.
Simple baccarat strategies that some people employ include the Martingale, which is a system that’s also commonly used in other games such as blackjack. This strategy has you doubling your bet every time you lose – meaning that when you win, you should ideally recoup your losses. Again, it’s not a guaranteed winning strategy!
The Golden Secret baccarat strategy is a bit different. It’s a little more advanced, and believe it or not, there are even two different ‘modes’ you need to be mindful of.
Exploring the Golden Secret bets: Mode 1 and Mode 2
When approaching a baccarat shoe with the Golden Secret, you need to consider two different outcomes – one is Mode 1, and the other is Mode 2.
These Modes determine how you play your bets depending on how previous games or hands have gone. Essentially, they decide whether or not you bet on the player or the banker moving forward.
It’s all about following patterns and streaks – tapping into what many baccarat players believe to be an innate order to how cards fall and wins develop.
You’d bet a Golden Secret mode if there are three streaks of banker or player wins in a row. It’s all about spotting when streaks are about to end, and therefore betting on an opposite outcome.
So, let’s look at a couple of examples for Mode 1 and Mode 2. The following guides tell you how you might bet when following this system to take advantage of ending streaks and breaking patterns. You can use these setups when analysing baccarat shoes at online and offline tables.
Mode 1
- Banker, Player, Banker, then the opposite, so Player
- Banker
- Banker
Mode 2
- Banker, Player, Banker, and again, the opposite, so Player
- Banker, Player
- Banker
Essentially, you’re betting on the end of streaks, not against them – which is sometimes the opposite of what players look for, say, if they want to monopolise on winning streaks.
The golden rule of Golden Secret is always to bet the opposite of the previous game’s play. So, as per the models outlined above, you’d always bet on player after banker, and vice versa.
This is a highly mathematical strategy that some pros swear by – and, yes, while there are some benefits here when it comes to basic probability, there are a few downsides you might want to consider when trying it out for real.
Pros and cons of using the Golden Secret bet strategy
Many players who follow the Golden Secret system claim that it’s a good choice if you struggle to narrow down betting options when playing baccarat at any table. Others even suggest that following the Golden Secret strategy can lower the house edge, encouraging players to lean towards flat bets rather than diving deep into anything more complex.
There’s also the fact that, like many baccarat strategies, Golden Secret removes much of the guesswork required when taking risks at the table. Players who prefer to have everything lined out and in place might choose Golden Secret simply because there’s little room to deviate.
Beyond this, many pros will tell you that the Golden Secret strategy helps to bring balance to the game – and that it can generate significant wins. Once again, there’s no guarantee – and, if you’ve tried other systems and have yet to enjoy much success, I can’t tell you that Golden Secret will work out any differently for you!
So, let’s look at the cons of this strategy. The first downside is that relying on a strategy outright isn’t always going to be healthy. It’s usually best to simply take each game as it evolves and to play based on your gut and your bankroll.
What’s more, Golden Secret is pretty complex as a strategy, even for some experienced players. Certainly, if you’re interested in trying out some baccarat strategies, I wouldn’t recommend leaping straight into Golden Secret – perhaps try the Martingale or Paroli instead.
Finally, Golden Secret is usually best reserved for players who have years of experience with baccarat – this is a set of rules that you learn to sharpen and put into use over extensive play.
Betting tips when using the Golden Secret bet strategy
If you’re keen to go ahead and start using the Golden Secret strategy for real when playing online or at a land-based casino, here are a few ideas you might want to take with you to get started.
First, always stick to the plan. If you’re the sort of player who likes to take each game as it comes, then this probably isn’t the best strategy for you. To really make the most of Golden Secret, you need to follow the opposite bet pattern to the letter – otherwise, you’re simply not using the system!
Second, many Golden Secret players advise that doubling down is advantageous after you lose a hand. This is, according to probability, simply because losing streaks are fairly unlikely if you stick to the template. That said, as always, watch your bankroll!
Next, don’t be tempted to stray into complex bets – keep them flat. Golden Secret is complicated enough as it is – would you really want to make things even more confusing?! Regardless, flat betting with Golden Secret simply means that you’re monopolising on the setup – it’s designed to help you recoup losses in time, much like the Martingale system.
Finally, this is the type of strategy where you do need to keep streaks in mind – some pros claim that you should increase your bets on winning streaks, and reduce your bets when losing. Again, losing streaks aren’t always highly likely, but you never know what’s going to happen next!
Final thoughts
The Golden Secret baccarat strategy is an interesting setup that, for many players, can enhance their gameplay. That said, there are no casino table strategies that guarantee wins. Therefore, I’d only recommend that you follow this template if, say, you’re interested in patterns and want to see how a game unfolds.
If you do choose to follow the Golden Secret strategy, always make sure to set yourself clear time and bankroll limits so that you don’t overspend. At Tonybet, we have a range of tools and support you can use to ensure that you’re always keeping your money safe.
Baccarat is a fantastic game that, while simple on the surface, does still have a huge variety of systems and strategies developed for it. Take a look at Golden Secret if you’re an experienced player and are confident that you can make it work!
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