Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat Review
What is Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat?
Super 8 Baccarat is another variant of live Baccarat from Pragmatic Play.
Specifically, Super 8 refers to the unique selection of side bets on this baccarat table. You won't find them anywhere else.
Super 8 Baccarat is the second Baccarat table with specialist side bets Pragmatic has released, the first being the successful Fortune 6 Baccarat.
The side bets are optional to play; the great thing is you don't have to play the main hand. You can play the side bets on their own!
In this review, I'll explain how to play each side bet and the best casinos where you can play them.
Neil's Recommendations for Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat
How to Play Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat?
Baccarat is one of the simplest live dealer card games you can play. The only decision a player needs to make is which of the two betting positions, Banker or Player, to bet.
Baccarat plays to a particular set of rules, which the dealer follows during the game. The outcome of each game can be a Player Win, Banker Win or a Tie.
A position wins if it has a total hand value higher than the other hand. For a Tie, the hand values will be the same.
The maximum hand value possible is Nine.
The dealer deals two cards to the Player and Banker positions. Ten and Picture cards are valued as Zero, while all other cards are their face value.
Only the second digit determines a hand's total value when multiple cards are totalled up. For example, if a hand value had a total of 10, the actual value is zero. If it was twelve, the value is two, and so on.
Some hands receive a third card, but this depends on the third card rule, which the dealer follows. The third card rule is different for the Banker and Player positions and is triggered when the hands have specific values. You can read more about this in my How to Play Baccarat article.
Player Wins are paid at 1:1, while the house takes a commission of 5% on Banker wins, giving a payout of 0.95:1. This provides the "house" with its edge.
No one loses when the outcome is a Tie, all bets get refunded.
6 Things to know about Super 8 Baccarat
- Super 8 has seven individual special side bets, Player Red, Player Black, Banker Red, Banker Black, Super 8 and Player Super Pair, Banker Super Pair.
- You can play the side bets independently from the main baccarat hand.
- After 30 hands, the Banker Red/Black, Player Red/Black, and Super 8 side bets are disabled.
- When 50 hands have finished, the Super Pairs' side bets are disabled.
- The side bet with the best RTP is the Player Red/Black with 96.54%.
- The side bet with the poorest RTP is the Super 8 with 95.45%.
Super 8 Side Bets Explained
The Super 8 side bets use the cards dealt to the main hand to determine the outcome of the side bets.
There are three side bets. Two of them are for the Banker and Player Positions. The Super 8 side bet covers the outcomes of both hands.
All of the side bets can are playable as individual bets. There is no requirement to play the Banker & Player hands.
There are some restrictions on when you can play the side bets during the shoe's lifetime, which I'll explain in more detail below.
Super 8 Side Bet
The Super 8 Side bet applied to the Banker and player hands and is all about Natural 8's.
You'll get a payout if a natural eight occurs during the game. How much depends on where the Natural 8 happens.
If the Player or Banker's hands win with a Natural 8, the payout is 4:1.
If the game ends with a natural 8 Tie, the payout is 6:1, and if the Player or Banker's hand loses with a natural 8, the payout is 6:1.
This side bet is only active during the first 30 hands of the dealing shoe.
| Card Dealt | Payout Odds |
|---|---|
| Player or Banker wins with Natural 8 | 4:1 |
| Game ends with Natural 8 Tie | 6:1 |
| Player or Banker loses with Natural 8 | 6:1 |
Player And Banker Super Pairs
You can play the Player, and Banker Super Pairs Side Bet for either or both the Player and Banker betting positions.
The first two cards of each hand determine the outcome for this side bet. Third cards do not count.
If the first two cards form a pair, you will win. Different pair combinations give different payouts.
The best hand is a Pair of Diamond 4's, which pays 40:1. Any other pair of 4's pays out 20:1, while a pair of diamonds (flush) pays 30:1.
Any other pair pays 10:1.
The side bet is active for the first 50 hands from the dealing shoe.
| Event | Payout Odds |
|---|---|
| Pair of Diamond 4's | 40:1 |
| Other Pairs of 4's | 20:1 |
| Diamond Pairs (except Pair of Diamond 4's) | 30:1 |
| Other Pairs (except pair conditions above) | 10:1 |
Player Red/Black and Banker Red/Black Side Bet
The Player and Banker Red/Black side bets pay when two initial cards or all three cards have the same colour and/or suit.
There are four betting positions Player Red, Player Black, Banker Red and Banker Black. You can play them singularly or as a mixture - whatever you fancy and you're under no obligation to play the main hands alongside.
The payouts differ between the Player and Banker bet for three suited cards. The player pays 10:1, while the Banker pays 12:1.
Winning hands include:
- The Initial two cards have the same colour.
- If there are three cards, they all have the same colour.
- If there are three cards, they all have the same suit (Flush).
This side bet is active for the first 30 rounds of the dealing shoe.
Player Payouts
| Event | Payout Odds |
|---|---|
| 2 cards coloured | 2:1 |
| 3 cards coloured | 4:1 |
| 3 cards suited (Flush) | 10:1 |
Banker Payouts
| Event | Payout Odds |
|---|---|
| 2 cards coloured | 2:1 |
| 3 cards coloured | 4:1 |
| 3 cards suited (Flush) | 12:1 |
Pragmatic Super 8 Road Maps
Baccarat is famous for its roadmaps. The roadmaps track the results of the current dealing shoe. In a land-based casino, you have a little pad and pencil to keep track of the results yourself. Fortunately, in online live casinos, the playing interface does this for you, so you get a rich selection of different roadmaps to view.
All roadmaps derive from two, the Bead Plate and Big Road. These two present the data in the order the results came out of the shoe.
It's these two I'll concentrate on, as they also contain data about the Super 8 side bet results.
The Big Road
The Big Road is the roadmap from which all other roadmaps derive.
The actual results get recorded on a 6-row grid.
The first result goes in the top left square, with subsequent outcomes for the same position continuing down the column. A new column starts when the result changes. The process repeats until the dealing shoe ends.
Blue circles depict player wins, and red circles Banker wins. A Tie is a green slash across a circle. A red and blue dot represents the player, and the Banker Super Pair side bet wins.
The Bead Plate
The Bead Plate provides information on the results of each game round.
The main difference in this roadmap is each result follows the last. There are no separate columns as results change.
The second difference is this roadmap shows the total values of the hands that won.
As for side bets, this roadmap shows the Super Pairs results for the Banker and Player using a Blue and Red dot on the result.
There is no way to track past results for the Super 8 and Player/Banker Red/Black side bets.
Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat Return To Player (RTP) & Payouts
The Side Bet RTPs range from 95.45% to 96.54%, which to most slot players is an average RTP for a slot game.
However, in Live Casino, a reasonable RTP is considered in the 98% to 99% region. Side bets are generally lower, so the Super 8 side bets' RTP is in the correct range.
The payouts are not that bad, with the best being 40:1 for a pair of Diamond 4's - good luck in getting that!
That said, I recommend not to play the side bets, as you'll lose more than you ever win.
| Bet Position | Payout | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| Player | 1:1 | 98.76% |
| Banker | 0.95:1 | 98.94% |
| Tie | 8:1 | 85.64% |
| Player Red / Black | 2 cards coloured - 2:1 3 cards coloured - 4:1 3 cards suited - 10:1 | 96.54% |
| Banker Red / Black | 2 cards coloured - 2:1 3 cards coloured - 4:1 3 cards suited - 12:1 | 96.25% |
| Player / Banker Super Pair | Pairs of Diamonds 4's - 40:1 Other pairs of 4's - 20:1 Other Diamond Pairs - 30:1 Other Pairs - 10:1 | 96.35% |
| Super 8 | Player or Banker wins Natural 8 - 4:1 Game ends with Natural 8 - 6:1 Player/Banker loses with Natural 8 - 6:1 | 95.45% |
Pragmatic Super 8 Betting Strategy
I don't think there is a strategy for playing the Super 8 Side Bets.
The only strategy I recommend is ensuring you have enough bankroll if you want to play!
You will lose more than you'll win on the side bets.
I would only play one side bet, the Player Red or Black. This side bet has the best RTP and chance of being hit.
What do I think of Pragmatic Super 8?
You don't have to play the Super 8 Side Bets to enjoy this version of Baccarat.
What I particularly like is the quietness of the environment. You can hear the dealer well, and initiating conversation is easy.
The base Baccarat game is good, the roadmaps are clear, and the game runs smoothly.
The Super 8 Side Bets add an exciting dimension to the table. The fact you can play them on their own is a draw itself, as you get better value than having to place a qualifying bet as well.
Pragmatic has done another excellent job with Super 8 Baccarat. It's certainly worth a try if only to experience the great environment.
Where Can You Play Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat
You can play Pragmatic Live Super 8 Baccarat at all Pragmatic Play Live Casinos. You'll find it in the Baccarat Lobby.
FAQ
What is Super 8 Baccarat?
Super 8 Baccarat is a new general play Live Dealer Baccarat Table with three special side bets known as Super 8. The Super 8 Side Bet pays out for wins and losses with a Natural 8. The other side bets are different and focus on Pairs and Colours.
What is the RTP of Super 8 Baccarat?
Super 8 Baccarat has an RTP for the Banker hand of 98.94% and for the Player 98.76%, which is the standard RTP for all Baccarat Games. The RTPs for the side bets range from 95.45% to 96.54%.
Is there a Strategy for Playing Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat?
There isn’t a strategy for playing the Super 8 side bets. I only advise playing the Player Black or Player Red side bets. These have the best RTP of them all.
What are the Side Bets in Super 8 Baccarat?
There are three side bets in Super 8 Baccarat. The Super 8 side bet pays when a hand wins or loses with a Natural 8. The Banker & Player Red/Black side bet pays out when the first two or all three cards are the same colour. The Pairs side bet pays the most, is the most difficult to win and relies on pairs. The best hand is a pair of Diamond 4’s at 40:1.
Is Pragmatic Super 8 Baccarat Any Good?
Super 8 Baccarat is good if you like a variety of side bets when playing Baccarat.