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
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
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