A few data points on some new Baccarat Games in town.
Gold Coast :
Now has an "official" Big Baccarat game in their high limit room (slot room). The table was $50 to $5000; but can sometimes go to a $25 minimum bet. Has an interesting "large" flat screen TV attached to the table which displays a horizontal format scorecard (in full detail) and statistics on the current shoe (bank, player, tie, maximum runs). They also display the overall statistics from the prior shoe (this is the first time I have seen this data). In addition, there were 12 mini-baccarat games (with Dragon Bonus) operating --- all with a $10 minimum and all pretty crowded (though, there were a few spots available) on a Friday night.
Wynn Las Vegas :
Just introduced from Macau one week ago; "Double Fortune Baccarat" This game is located on the main casino floor (right outside of the posh Baccarat Room). It is a full size baccarat table with two shoes; one on the left and right hand sides of the table. These shoes are designated as RED and BLUE and there is a double betting grid on the table. The dealers deal the cards simultaneously from each shoe; and you have the option to bet on 1, 2 or none of the hands. The main reason for the two shoes is to create an array of crazy proposition bets on the center of the table (since you now have double the cards in play). For example, so of the props you can bet on are :
Fortune Pair Doubles
4 Pairs (100 to 1)
3 Pairs (20 to 1)
2 Pairs (10 to 1)
1 Pair on each game (5 to 1)
1 Pair on either game (2 to 1)
and Double Fortune Ties
A Tie of Equal Value on Both Games (50 to 1)
A Tie on Each Game (25 to 1)
A Tie on Either Game (3 to 1)
Of course, these are all crazy sucker bets.
Players can NOT face the cards on this game, due to the fact that the house needs to deal two hands at the same time. Minimum bet is $100 and maximum bet is $15,000; didn't happen to see the min/max for the ties or propositions. Can't really figure out why you would want to play this game, except if you possibly regularly wager $200+ per hand at Baccarat and would prefer to "split" your bet on two different hands --- or, if you have some crazy desire to play wacky props in addition to the regular Tie Wager.
Per the pit boss, they are moving this game into the regular Baccarat room in the next day or so.
I'm off to check out EZ Baccarat at Paris today; and "might" try to get to the Orleans to see the progress of their new Baccarat Room; which I was told is going to be much nicer than the room at the Gold Coast.