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I bought a Big Baccarat Table
Well,
My wife thinks I've totally gone crazy. But, I did it... the price was just too good (gotta love ebay); so, I purchased my very own Big Baccarat Table (Big Baccarat as in the game.... not the size... though, it is quite large...) (with a Caesars Felt). [for those unfamiliar w/ the terminology, one often refers to the different versions of the games as big, midi and mini bacc; while they are all the same (rule wise) procedure with respect to dealing and touching the cards does vary]
It is in the garage right now, since we are in the process of moving to Southern NH.
I also (around 2 years ago) purchased a Caesars felt --- so, I have an extra felt for the table... though, I have to compare to see if there are any differences.
A number of my Las Vegas friends think it's great.... but, I have been getting a lot of strange looks from my neighbors !
This guy also had a full size craps table for sale... but, I don't think I would have room for that.....
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At least with a craps table, some people claim that with enough practice at home one can hope to achieve a precision throw that will beat the house.
King, maybe someday you can take me aside and explain what's so all-fired exciting about a game where there's no skill or even decision to be made by the player except whether to bet on banker or player.
Programs: DL Sky-Ultra Lounge Member frequent WN LAS-MHT nonstop member and * Silver
Posts: 3,188
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbstone
King, maybe someday you can take me aside and explain what's so all-fired exciting about a game where there's no skill or even decision to be made by the player except whether to bet on banker or player.
mbstone... I've heard it all before... so, yes.. I would love to take you aside someday, and show you the beauty of the game, of course, as with anything else YMMV. BTW, I have a killer toss at the Dice Table... (stick left)
OK, 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 end, 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.
If anyone is interested in the rules, wizard of odds has a pretty good run down on everything.
