Bending cards in baccarat is a long-standing tradition that ties into the game’s storied history as well as its flashy nature. If you ever wanted to know why players and dealers often bend and squeeze cards as they flip them, this article offers a straightforward answer while also diving deep into the cultural, psychological and rule-based aspects of the practice.

Picture this: you’re sitting at the high-limit baccarat table of a Macau hotel-casino. You have a solid streak and a lot riding on the Banker bet as the dealer prepares to finally reveal the cards. Now, which would feel more exciting – a fast, dispassionate card flip and announcement, or a slow build-up of tension as the dealer reveals the rank and suit of every card, one by one?

If your answer is the latter option, you’re not alone. That’s why this practice of slow, bending reveals is so widespread in the baccarat community. So much so that it’s even becoming a feature at some live dealer baccarat tables.

That’s exactly why dealers and players bend cards in baccarat: to build up the tension through a bit of croupier showmanship. Additionally, some players believe in various superstitions, such as that card squeezing can bring good luck.

One thing is clear, though: squeezing and bending cards in baccarat cannot increase your chances of winning. The goal is to please the crowd, not to bend the rules.

Still, the reasons behind this popular practice are more complex than they seem. In this article, we’ll closely examine the history, psychology, and etiquette behind card bending in baccarat. We’ll also dive into the mechanics of how to bend the cards, casino rules surrounding card squeezes, and online variants of baccarat that continue this particular tradition.

The 30-Second Answer

  • Players and croupiers at baccarat tables often slowly bend and squeeze cards as they reveal them to build up tension.
  • Some players also believe that squeezing and bending the cards brings good luck or can somehow change the outcome.
  • In traditional player-versus-player baccarat, card bending also provides a (false) sense of control over the cards and the game result.
  • Croupiers occasionally add their own flair to card squeezes, which adds to the showmanship of high-end tables.
  • The technique can also be used to peek at the cards and find out the results before everyone else, though there’s no real benefit to doing so.
  • No, card bending in baccarat does not influence the probability, outcomes, or odds of the game in any way.