Baccarat is played differently and with strong decisive and stubborn beliefs by the highest majority of the players.
Players usually subscribe to the absurd notion that they can win with simply either following the last decision or wagering opposite the last decision. Problem is, regression to the mean, and that will usually--but not always, come within each shoe several times. At times, it may not come within the shoe. There are actually three ways, each shoe will produce winning hands and confuse the players with their stubborn belief how the winning hands will be produced.
There are 3 sets of 3 things that will happen in most all shoes. IMO, when you learn those things and proper techniques to give yourself the advantage, you will be happier with the results than you have experienced in the past.
The 3 sets of things are as follows. 3 sets of events, 3 point values and a cluster of shoes that are actually winnable (usually 3 at most). There are clear 'sections', 'turning points', 'player plateaus', 'money management' and 'positive progressions'. (personally I think negative progressions are extremely dangerous and puts the highest majority of those losing into worse financial shape).
I explain a few of the things within the following
http://betselection.cc/alrelax's-blog/sections-and-turning-points/msg53303/#msg53303
I have played the game from about 1980. When it was only the big original tables with the 3 dealers, 2 floor people and a senior pit person assigned to each table, almost a constant 14 players on each table as well. There was also mini-bac and always placed out on the main floor. Completely different game with complete different styles. However, everything has changed with the internet and spread of systems, training, rumors and false-thoughts.
Can the game be won, certainly. Can the game take all the players money, sure. Is there a magical holy-grail that is secret and only known to a few, no.
The true strategy (if one can call it that) in bac is realizing there are huge knowledgeable chapters to be learned such as Sections, Turning Points, Players Plateaus, Money Management and Positive Progressions that will fuel a players 'winning times' beyond belief. But to sit down at a bac table and play 'follow the leader' or believe in the betting against or with the last decision is absurd.
But yes, bac is like chess, pay attention and you can win. The huge difference is that, in chess the next move is dependent upon your previous decision and it is not that way in bac.
Quote from: 21 Aces on Today at 01:52:13 PM
I'm just over a year in and play with players with decades of experience. I see the same players day in and day out. Baccarat shoes vary in degree of difficulty with ones that have no strong formations and a lot of breaks being more difficult.
The bug out trigger on most experienced players is very quick, but a well capitalized player could drive through a shoe if they really wanted to. Depends on factors like high payout bets available, free hands as an option, bank roll and bet size vs table minimum, right?
You said: ".........but a well capitalized player could drive through a shoe if they really wanted to........"
Who wants to, really wants to lose their money????
You truly do not know the player's financial position and often the money in front of them is not even theirs. For example, with many Asian players, the one person represents many when they play. But I am not getting into that aspect of it. I often hear comments about capital and 'risk versus reward', etc.
It is not easy to continually win and prevail at this game. To the occasional on-looker or inexperienced player, say the first few months or year so of playing, there is an entirely different set of beliefs and protocols in decision making. Same, in lots and lots of other areas of life in fact.
I have personally witnessed the best of players and as well, the best funded and highly capitalized players go bust. Not one, not two, not three, but numerous. I rather not count them or remember the ones that I had close relationships with back east. It is a dangerous game as so many will go through cycles and periods of time that all they do is win and win huge.
With that said, you might say "Oh hell, I would stop or cut back when I get to so and so.....etc". Doesn't work like that my friend! If you really want to read some sad parts to this I can write some, but they are not positive at all.
There is no magical cure for people that cannot control themselves. But IMO and that of most everyone I have the time to actually sit down and explain about 'players plateaus' there is a complete process of agreement as to the positive aspect and recognition of what so many have a problem with. If you don't know and are not conscious of your plateaus or even think there are plateaus, you face an unguided climb up the mountain you are tackling with no direction or $$$ amount that will satisfy you. Seriously