Baccarat is a popular game of chance all over the world, where players bet for or against the banker. Baccarat has become particularly popular in Asia and can be found in almost every casino from Macau to Singapore. Not only in Asia, but all over the world, it attracts players with a lot of money – the so-called high rollers. This has given rise to numerous legends over the decades. We introduce you to the game and some well-known names.
Rules & Gameplay of Baccarat
The basic rules of Baccarat are easy and quick to learn – and just as quick to explain. This is exactly what makes the game so popular with many casino guests around the world, including those at prive casino.
Baccarat involves two main parties: the player and the banker. The aim of the game is to get a score as close to nine as possible with two or three cards. Aces count as one, cards from two to nine according to their value, and tens and face cards count as zero. If the total of the cards is ten or more, the tens place is eliminated. For example, a hand with six and eight cards totals four (14 minus ten).
The game begins with players placing their bets on the player, banker, or tie. After bets are placed, two cards are dealt to the player and two to the banker. Additional cards may be drawn based on the game’s house rules. The hand closest to a score of nine wins the round. If the player bets on the correct hand, they win their bet, often at a 1:1 ratio, while a tie bet can yield significantly higher payouts but has a low probability of winning.
High Roller Baccarat uses the same basic rules, but there are some special rules and variations that are particularly interesting for wealthy players. One of the main differences is the significantly higher betting limits, which are far above the typical table limits. At full-size tables, these often start at around $50 and go into the hundreds of dollars. In High Roller Baccarat, on the other hand, table limits in the millions are sometimes found. This allows wealthy players to bet larger amounts and potentially make higher winnings.
Approaches & Tips for High Roller Baccarat
Baccarat sometimes involves a lot of money, and although a loss may not hurt the often wealthy players as much as it does regular players, they still want to win at the end of the day. It’s not just a matter of luck, but also the right approach.
Baccarat is strictly speaking a game of chance. There are no strategies like in poker. A basic approach is to consistently bet on the banker, as statistically he has a slight advantage. Although the odds of winning are only slightly higher, this small difference can pay off over many games.
Managing your gaming budget is another crucial factor. Players should always set a fixed budget for each gaming session and stick to it strictly. It is important to only use the money you are willing to lose. It is also advisable to lock in winnings regularly rather than reinvesting them immediately.
Discipline and risk management also play a central role in baccarat. Players should follow clear rules about when to stop and when to continue playing in order to avoid impulsive behavior. This includes accepting losses and not trying to quickly make up for them by making rash bets. A controlled and disciplined approach can lead to greater long-term success than impulsive behavior would.
Legendary Baccarat High Rollers
The experiences and stories of high rollers give the game of baccarat a special charm and contribute significantly to its fascination. It is not without reason that it appears in numerous James Bond novels and films, as well as in other plays that take place in the circles of the rich and beautiful.
Baccarat is extremely popular in Asia in particular. The reason for this is probably the Asian tendency to believe in the power of luck. Accordingly, the game is widespread in the casinos of Macau and other Asian gambling destinations. There are also a striking number of Asian names among the legendary Baccarat high rollers.
Akio Kashiwagi
Perhaps one of the most famous baccarat stories is that of Akio Kashiwagi, a Japanese real estate mogul who wagered millions on baccarat in the early 1990s . As a whale (casino slang for players who repeatedly bet large sums of money), he often played high stakes and received exclusive amenities from the casinos.
One of his most famous performances took place at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, where he bet and won millions in a matter of days, bringing him great fame. However, Kashiwagi’s life also had its dark sides. In addition to his impressive winnings, the Japanese was also known for his debts and alleged links to organized crime. He even once fell out with former US President Donald Trump.
His glamorous life came to a tragic end when he was murdered in his home in Japan in 1992. He was stabbed multiple times with a sword-like object. The perpetrator was never caught and the murder remains unsolved to this day. His unsolved murder contributed to the mysterious aura surrounding Kashiwagi’s persona.
Zhenli Ye Gon
Zhenli Ye Gon is a Chinese-Mexican businessman who is best known for his connections to the gambling world and his spectacular bets on baccarat – but also for his dealings in the underworlds of Mexico and the USA.
Born in Shanghai, China, Ye Gon later emigrated to Mexico and founded the pharmaceutical company Unimed Pharm Chem México. In the early 2000s, Ye Gon made a name for himself by betting big in the casinos of Las Vegas. He soon made a name for himself as the Whale. Ye Gon lost and won millions of dollars in various casinos.
Ye Gon found himself at the center of a massive scandal when Mexican authorities seized over $205 million in cash from his Mexico City home in 2007, the largest sum of cash ever found in private hands. He was accused of being involved in methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering. However, Ye Gon claimed that the money had been entrusted to him by Mexican government officials for safekeeping. He later described the situation as “plata o plomo” (“silver or stay,” a Colombian saying for a situation in which one has the choice between cooperating through extortion or death) to describe the pressure he was under. After his arrest in the United States, Ye Gon fought for years against extradition to Mexico.
Conclusion: What Makes Baccarat So Special?
Baccarat has long attracted not only ordinary players but also colorful and shady characters. They all have one thing in common: a passion for the game and a well-filled bank account. Because of this interesting mix, the game has given rise to a number of exciting stories and scandals.
