How to Play Dragon Tiger: Rules, Bets and House Edge
FRENZY96 ·
Dragon Tiger is the simplest card game in a live casino studio. The dealer turns over one card for Dragon and one card for Tiger, and the higher card wins. There is no drawing, no third card and no decisions after you bet, so a round usually takes less than half a minute.
Card values
Ace is the lowest card and counts as 1.
Cards 2 to 10 count at face value.
Jack counts as 11, Queen as 12 and King as 13 — King is the highest card.
Suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) do not matter for the main bets.
How a round is played
Place your bet on Dragon, Tiger or Tie (and any side bets) before the betting timer runs out.
The dealer deals one card face up to the Dragon position and one to the Tiger position.
The higher card wins. If both cards have the same value, the result is a Tie.
Winning bets are paid automatically and the next round opens.
The main bets
Dragon — wins if the Dragon card is higher. Pays 1:1.
Tiger — wins if the Tiger card is higher. Pays 1:1.
Tie — wins if both cards have the same value. Usually pays 8:1; some tables pay 11:1.
Suited Tie — both cards have the same value and the same suit. Pays much more than a Tie, but it is rare.
What happens to Dragon and Tiger bets on a tie?
On most tables, when the round is a Tie, Dragon and Tiger bets lose half their stake and the other half is returned. That rule is where the house edge comes from: about 3.7% on Dragon or Tiger. The Tie bet has a much higher house edge — over 30% at 8:1 and still above 10% at 11:1 — so it is the most expensive bet on the table.
A worked example
You bet $10 on Tiger. The dealer turns over the 9 of hearts for Dragon and the Queen of clubs for Tiger. Queen (12) beats 9, so Tiger wins and you get your $10 back plus $10. If the Tiger card had been the 9 of spades instead, the round would be a Tie and, on most tables, you would get $5 back.
Side bets
Many tables offer extra bets on each hand, such as Big or Small (whether the card is above or below 7), Odd or Even, and Red or Black. A 7 usually loses all of these bets, which gives them their house edge. Side bets and their payouts differ between studios, so read the payout board before you use them.
Dragon Tiger compared with baccarat
Cards: Dragon Tiger deals one card per hand; baccarat deals two or three.
Card values: in Dragon Tiger, King is high and Ace is low; in baccarat, tens and picture cards count as 0.
Ties: Dragon Tiger usually takes half of Dragon and Tiger bets; baccarat usually returns Player and Banker bets in full.
House edge on the main bets: about 3.7% for Dragon or Tiger, against about 1.06% for Banker and 1.24% for Player.
If you like the speed of Dragon Tiger but want a lower house edge, baccarat is worth learning — see how to play baccarat.
Tips for beginners
Dragon and Tiger have exactly the same chance of winning. Neither side is "due".
The scoreboard of past results does not predict the next card.
Rounds are fast, so the amount you bet in an hour adds up quickly. Pick a table minimum that suits your budget and set a time limit.
Skip the Tie bet unless you accept that it is the costliest bet on the table.
It is often called a simplified baccarat, but the rules are different: one card per hand, no third card, and Ace is the lowest card instead of counting as 1 towards a total.
How many decks are used in Dragon Tiger?
Usually several decks shuffled together in a shoe, commonly eight. The exact number depends on the table.
How often is there a tie?
With eight decks, a tie happens about 7.5% of the time — roughly once every 13 rounds on average.
Why do I lose half my bet on a tie?
That is the house rule on most Dragon Tiger tables, and it is what gives the casino its edge on Dragon and Tiger bets. Check the rules at your table, as some studios differ.
Is there a strategy to win at Dragon Tiger?
No strategy can overcome the house edge. What you can control is your bet size, your time limit and when you stop.