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Table Games Looking to jump into Baccarat - any advice?

Discussion in 'Table Games' started by notfromconcentrate, Apr 13, 2016.

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  1. NotFromConcentrate

    NotFromConcentrate It’s a Cassowary :)

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    So I'm looking to get into a slightly less "involved" form of casino gaming. As much as I love blackjack, on my last trip in March, I felt like I just couldn't relax, given the pace, the amount of decisions I have to make, and the camaraderie at the table - especially with overly dramatic first time players.

    Baccarat is appealing to me because of its simplicity, its low house edge, its "portability" as a game (in that baccarat games are largely identical in all parts of the world, whereas numerous variations exist in blackjack), and the fact that it seems to attract more experienced gamblers - who I find more pleasant to interact with. I've spent many hours watching the game and would like to make it my primary game on my next trip.

    The problem is I haven't got a clue where to begin. I realize there isn't much strategy to the game - but when it comes to betting techniques (progression, with/against a streak, etc.), etiquette at the table, and any other basics, I'm largely uninitiated.

    Can anyone give me a rundown of the best way to prepare, and what I should take into consideration when locating my first game?

    I'd also love to know what the differences are between regular baccarat and mini/midi baccarat - I can't seem to find good explanations of this anywhere.

    Oh - and comps... I don't expect they'll be very good on a 1% house edge game - but I'd just like a sense of what I might be able to expect.
     
    [TENTATIVE Late Jul/Early Aug] Vegas by way of Chicago/Elko/Reno!
  2. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    The only difference between mini and midi is the size of the table (sometimes) and at a mini table only the dealer touches the cards.

    If you are looking for camaraderie, just pick a table and follow the bets of the other people at the table. Most bac players (although not all) bet the same side at any given table. So if you just follow what the table is doing, you don't have to worry about making any decisions. Comps are pretty similar to what you can expect at BJ.

    Personally, I went the other direction when first playing bac. I found a high limit table with no other players and a friendly dealer. That way, I played at my own pace and was free to ask a ton of questions. But if the camaraderie is important to you, just jump in at a table and follow along. Good luck
     
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  3. shifter

    shifter Degenerate Gambler

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    Lessons can be expensive.
     
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  4. 63hearts

    63hearts Low-Roller

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    Bingo
     
  5. bedaniels

    bedaniels High-Roller

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    Hey shifter, do you follow the prediction table and the roads on the screen or do you look for your own patterns? Do you prefer/trust one road vs another? Any insight on bet selection and money management would be appreciated. Thanks


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  6. Allie

    Allie Tourist

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    I too am interested in the answers to the questions asked by the OP. Thank you UK for providing some insight. I am hopeful others will join in with meaningful answers.
     
  7. SteveO

    SteveO Low-Roller

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    Baccarat is one of those games that takes a minute to learn and then a lifetime to master (and I'm not saying it can be mastered). It's pretty much a random number generator and is immune to most any kind of system that you can think of. You are almost as well off just flipping a coin (heads = banker, tails = player). For fun, simply flat bet, no progressions. If you believe in such things then try to spot a trend, singles, doubles, alternating sequences and this list is endless.

    Now I have heard of a strategy that seemed interesting. Watch for a losing player (and there will be lots of them) and simply bet against them. Or watch a losing player actually win one or 2 times in a row and then bet against them. Lots of stuff out there on the ol' internet.

    The Gold Coast usually has 8 - 10 tables open at a time with minimums at $10 (or did the last time I was in LV). I found a $5 table at South Point but that was probably 8 years ago.

    Like everything else, it's gambling so just have a good time.
     
  8. Nauriel

    Nauriel Tourist

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    MGM Grand has some electronic Bac machines you can practice on for $5 a hand.

    I find the mini-bac tables at $25 during the day are a great place to learn since they are quiet and the dealers are happy to have someone come by.
     
  9. Drewm1972

    Drewm1972 VIP Whale

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    Or just download the app to your phone or iPad and learn that way....again lesseons can be expensive... I kinda learned hard way but remember doesn't matter what game it is,,,, you need to know when to walk away
     
  10. woodsie

    woodsie VIP Whale

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    Simple, always bet Banker. That's it. Easiest table game on the planet to master. It's basically glorified casino war.

    :D
     
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  11. willslotforcash

    willslotforcash MIA

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    There's no rhyme or reason to baccarat, it's an elaborate coin flip each hand. The rules favor the banker bet, hence the vig, but that's over the long run. I've seen streaks where player wins 20+ hands over banker in an entire shoe.

    Also, be ready for rude Asians, and the stink eye when you bet your $25 opposite of their $10k bet.
     
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  12. Drewm1972

    Drewm1972 VIP Whale

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    [QUOTE="

    Also, be ready for rude Asians, and the stink eye when you bet your $25 opposite of their $10k bet.[/QUOTE]

    What's with comment? because person like you that's why people leave great site like this one.... I understand you are only 21 but grow up.... Don't be an idiot.
     
  13. willslotforcash

    willslotforcash MIA

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    What's with comment? because person like you that's why people leave great site like this one.... I understand you are only 21 but grow up.... Don't be an idiot.[/QUOTE]
    I'm not 21, I'm 35, and I'm Asian. It's not a slam, it's something you should know before playing this game. Baccarat isn't gambling to Asians, it's all about superstition and how your luck is from the Gods.

    You do realize there's no seat #4, right?
     
  14. DDB

    DDB Low-Roller

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    Streaks, patterns, is there really such a thing?

    I played bacc in the asian room one time, with Asian table mates. Although I certainly couldn't understand them, I got the impression they were cussing me out for my unsophisticated betting. Sometimes player, sometimes banker. Sometimes with them, sometimes not.
     
  15. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    Sure there are streaks.... predictable patterns no. People think they can though but each hand is independent of another.

    I usually bet with majority of table as to not upset the mood.

    Though if you find some flaw in cards...

    http://regressing.deadspin.com/how-phil-ivey-beat-or-maybe-cheated-a-casino-for-mill-1562993963
     
  16. 7out7

    7out7 Low-Roller

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    Get drunk and have fun. Then after every hand, point to the board and explain to everyone why banker/player won.
     
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  17. oldcrabtom

    oldcrabtom High-Roller

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    My last visit I decided to give bacc a whirl, I read up on it and decided to do the 'banker' bet. Didn't take very long to kiss my Benjy good bye. No where near as exciting as craps...!!
     
  18. bedaniels

    bedaniels High-Roller

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    I've tried the various "roads" and pattern guessing and such however I found what works best for me is to bet the second to last side that won. For example in a BPB situation my next bet would be P. In a BBP pattern my next bet would be B. I find just doing that allows my bankroll to hang in the longer and take advantage of banker/ player streaks or a choppy pattern like BPBPBP. However a PBBP or BPPB pattern kills this theory.
    If that's going on I sit out till it changes because as soon as I jump in and follow it the pattern changes.

    I usually press 25-50% on after a win and then back to the base bet after a loss. If anyone has a better money management idea feel free to share.
     
  19. boogaloobboy

    boogaloobboy Tourist

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    I'm not 21, I'm 35, and I'm Asian. It's not a slam, it's something you should know before playing this game. Baccarat isn't gambling to Asians, it's all about superstition and how your luck is from the Gods.

    You do realize there's no seat #4, right?[/QUOTE]

    Wow, way to crash down like the PC police on a factual post. The name of the thread includes the words "any advice". And the advice that Asian players are not particularly friendly to non-Asian players and doubly so anyone betting against them or the table is something the player needs to be aware of before he sits down lest he think he has done something to affront the players. You do not understand the level of ritual involved with the game if you think this was an ethnic slam.
     
  20. Golfer

    Golfer Well-Known Member

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    Asian players have always been friendly to me. I played high limit bacc in AC with an Asian they cleared the room out for, and he asked myself and my friend to stay.

    That's a long and strange story, but it was fun.
     
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