Smart Baccarat

There's no problem so big, that a natural nine can't solve.




HAPPY Birthday Ryan



Ryan's True Religion Jeans
Originally uploaded by smartbaccarat.
Happy 9th Birthday Ryan !!

The True Religion Jeans I got Ryan fit perfectly !

He is styling for his birthday ! Now, father and son have the chic matching Jeans..

Now... off to Buca for the start of Ryan's Birthday Celebration !


Five Hundy ! Thank you !



The Vegas
Originally uploaded by smartbaccarat.
Thank you Tim and Michele of Five Hundy by Midnight the best Vegas Podcast.

Check out this week's episode where I am mentioned a few times... and the call from the Stardust Baccarat room for the Shirley Birthday Tie !! This was my second highest tie bet win EVER. A $30 TIE BET win... (please spare me the sucker bet comments... ya'know.. that's why they call it GAMBLING !) Tim and Michele, you guys are the BEST ! --- BUT, I still need a new pair of sandals.....


If you have to ask....



Baccarat Desert Inn
Originally uploaded by smartbaccarat.
This post is based on a FlyerTalk Thread I started. Someone asked about "WHY" one would play Baccarat....

Well....
here are some thoughts on Baccarat :

Simplicity, yes, you gotta love it sometimes. It is nice to only have 3 decisions to make.

The best table game odds in the casino; with the exception of craps pass/don’t pass (multiple odds) and perfect strategy perfect play blackjack with good rules. (of course, since you have to play BJ perfectly without any mistakes over your entire session, I don’t really count that as such a good deal for a number of players)

Speed control, and the ability to set the pace of the game; of course this only applies to Big Baccarat --- but, when you hold the shoe -- or -- have the high player bet you control the speed of the game; want to take 10 minutes to peak at the cards --- ok; want to rip or bend the cards -- no problem...
One the other hand, you can be the only player at a table, and make the game go at blazing speed --- dealing the cards and making bets as fast as you can get cards out of the shoe. As Lyle Stuart said “It’s clean and it’s swift” “It’s swift and it’s clean.”

No rule, card draw issues --- no need to have to deal with idiot players (like you do at Blackjack) and yes, I know that other players (stupid moves) have no effect on the outcome of blackjack games; but, it isn’t fun to play in that environment (IMHO)

The Players, you see some of the most interesting rituals when folks are playing Baccarat (especially the Chinese) --- the superstitions are incredible. Nothing like being able to watch folks push out $25K bets, like they were betting $25

and, the biggest reason.. The most absolutely amazing streaks you will ever encounter in your life. I am in Casinos a fair amount --- and play a bit of Baccarat --- but nothing near what would be considered long term play. The number of times (this year alone) I have had trends of 7, 8, 10, 12 in a row is astounding. (and yes, there are streaks of 18 to 25 in a row... quite rare, but they do happen... don't think you will ever see that at a BJ table...) You will feel the game’s excitement when after you have just dealt 10 in a row, and are going for 11... now, you draw the cards.... and when the player faces his cards... he does it very very slowly, peaking at each card multiple times... it takes a full 5 minutes of anticipation... he turns over a 10 diamonds and a 8 of hearts --- your heart races, you have out a $2000 banker bet, and the player just drew a natural 8; now it’s your turn. You peak at the corner of your first card... you think it is a monkey (face card) --- it is... you face it.. then, you have one more card to look at; 8 will tie it, 9 will win it.... you wait a few moments, you talk to the cards... you slowly peak... but hold back a second... finally you quickly turn over the card... it’s a 9 of clubs... eureka, 9 over 8; pay the banker. This type of situation repeats itself over and over --- and often involves some exciting moments during the 3 card draw, where a relatively good hand can be reduced to nothing.

And finally, the game has great history and great procedure ---

Yes, dice is my favorite game in the casino, but the mixture of playing a WILD game like craps and a clean and swift game like Baccarat are quite complimentary.

BTW, If anyone out there is thinking about my Birthday (hint hint only 1 month away) I absolutely love THIS PRINT


Only in New York



Only in New York
Originally uploaded by smartbaccarat.
Nothing like Monday morning rush hour into NYC. How I remember those days. This picture brings back those "not so fond" memories. Luckily, I never had this problem at GWB toll booth --- guess these guys didn't feel like doing an alternating merge.


Rules for the RIO Invitational Mini-Baccarat Tourney



bacc tourney chinese
Originally uploaded by smartbaccarat.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Tournament Baccarat.

PLEASE NOTE : The official language is English.
Please make sure your casino host or translator is available at the table if you need assistance communicating in English.


of course, if you are one of the few tournament participants who actually speak English you
might want to refer to this sheet


Night #1 (or is it morning)


Well.... arrived at the 'Dust around 12:45AM --- don't ever know if I should call it night or morning #1. Only 2 tables were open in the Baccarat pit, a midi-baccarat table and a modified big-baccarat table. Gave a warm hello and hug to Shirley... the pit boss for the Baccarat room on Tuesday and Wednesday (she is 77 years old and was the first female Baccarat dealer in The Vegas... boy, now that is history). Shirley had the pleasure of working for Rosenthal et al at the 'dust. This was the real deal. The mob set things up, and basically "Lefty Rosenthal was running the Stardust Hotel, Tony Spilotro was taking care of the casino and any other problems that might arise, and Allan Glick was off playing golf down at La Costa on the California coast. Everyone seemed to be in place. Rosenthal had understood from day one what was expected of him. Chicago was deadly serious about making the Stardust and their other Las Vegas properties more profitable."

If you are NOT familiar with the real life people, you will recognize that this is basically the Martin Scorsese movie Casino. Not only is this movie very accurate, but it is the story of the Stardust (Tangiers) and Rosnethal (Sam "Ace" Rothstein).

That evening, the midi-baccarat table (in midi-baccarat you face the cards - but DO NOT DEAL the cards from the shoe) had 3 other Chinese players, who didn't seem to want to have any conversation in English. I ordered a Grey Goose Vodka on the rocks and a Perrier water to get my night started. The other players kept wanting me to face the player cards, even though I didn't have the high player wager on the table. I think after I drew a couple of naturals... they must have thought I was some sort of lucky charm.

Anyway, things were choppy.. and not really going anywhere... the shoe ended and everyone left (it was now a bit after 2AM) --- Shirley thought I should give it a break.. and start fresh the next day... I was anxious to start a new shoe... but, she was probably right, and I was a bit hungry any way. Went over to the Coco-Palms (which is relocated to the buffet rooms on early Wednesday morning) and had my favorite early morning meal of fried chicken, crisp bacon and french fries. I never eat like this at home (much more health conscious) --- but, it's Vegas. Had great conversation with Mary and Igor, and we made fun of the cranky poker player who was complaining about the bacon NOT being crisp enough (and Stardust has really crisp bacon) --- they said he always comes in late (often drunk) orders eggs and bacon and always complains... must be one of those cranky old 'dust poker players (he was wearing a party poker jacket).

Well...... back to the RIO and my massive suite, for some early shut-eye around 4AM --- just want to take a quick jacuzzi before setting off to sleep. Have I said that I love The Vegas....


Masquerade Suite 31029



RIO Las Vegas Masquerade Suite 31029
Originally uploaded by smartbaccarat.
OK......... the RIO Masquerade Suite was quite a surprise upgrade. I didn't expect this as I dragged my tired ass into the front lobby of the RIO at 12 midnight. Check out a number of photos from inside the suite. It was sparkling new. Not sure if they redecorated recently, but I could see hardly any signs of wear. As usual, Mark picked me up at the airport (with rum and diet coke all chilled and ready in the back of the car... this tradition started in December on the way from the Stratosphere to Wynn). Mark knows me so well by now, he doesn't hold up a sign... just waits by baggage claim... He provides such a great friendly arrival to The Vegas. I had every intention of staying in my suite at the 'dust, but wanted to check in at the RIO to find out about the Baccarat Tourney times and registration. Ran into the lobby of the RIO around midnight, and check-in went kind of like this : Tipped the guy at the check-in desk $10 and just asked for a room on a high floor (this was a 2 day comp stay, as part of the mini-baccarat tourney). He said he would do better than that --- well... he sure did; the room was great, and I used the large Jacuzzi with a view at least 3 times --- of course, I was all alone this trip, would have been nice if my wife was along. Also, this was midweek, which I think had something to do with it. I gave him another $10 right after he told me it was a Masquerade Suite; figured he went out of his way for me, and $10 per day to upgrade to a Masquerade Suite was well worth it.

Met some crazy folks (long story) on my way up in the elevator to the suite. Unpacked briefly --- checked things out... put my extra cash in the safe... and then back to the limo and off to the 'dust for some Big Baccarat.



Off to THE VEGAS...


Off to THE VEGAS...

No time to post, but this is a quick 1 day trip for a Mini-Baccarat Tournament (10K) at the RIO.

Upgrades on the way out have cleared.

Gotta run.. time to get to the airport !

[Promise a full report soon....]


My Caesar's Baccarat Table



My Caesar's Baccarat Table
Originally uploaded by smartbaccarat.
I just can't get over it...

I have my own Baccarat Table...



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