Bending the cards in Baccarat

Why do the players bend the cards in Baccarat?
If they want to see what the cards are they can look at the cards without bending them.

I asked a Baccarat dealer and he said he doesn't know.

I don't play but I think it's all superstition. They bend the cards a couple of ways to see the number of suits. Don't they blow on the cards and stab them with a pen as well?

Quote: petro

Why do the players bend the cards in Baccarat?
If they want to see what the cards are they can look at the cards without bending them.

I asked a Baccarat dealer and he said he doesn't know.

Then he's not a good baccarat dealer.

The way the player reveals the side of the card tells him it is either a face card or it shows 2, 3, or 4 pips along the side.
2 pips (four or five)
3 pips (six, seven, or eight)
4 pips (nine or ten)
bending from the end of the card then differentiates between 4/5, 6/7/8, or 9/10

A good baccarat dealer can tell you the score before the player turns over the cards.

Quote: Scooter77

Then he's not a good baccarat dealer.

The way the player reveals the side of the card tells him it is either a face card or it shows 2, 3, or 4 pips along the side.
2 pips (four or five)
3 pips (six, seven, or eight)
4 pips (nine or ten)
bending from the end of the card then differentiates between 4/5, 6/7/8, or 9/10

A good baccarat dealer can tell you the score before the player turns over the cards.

Agree with this.

There's also 0 pips (Ace, two, three)

It's all part of the show. Similar to how some people squeeze their cards in poker.

Quote: Scooter77

Then he's not a good baccarat dealer.

The way the player reveals the side of the card tells him it is either a face card or it shows 2, 3, or 4 pips along the side.
2 pips (four or five)
3 pips (six, seven, or eight)
4 pips (nine or ten)
bending from the end of the card then differentiates between 4/5, 6/7/8, or 9/10

A good baccarat dealer can tell you the score before the player turns over the cards.

Though i don't think this is absolutely necessary for being a good Baccarat dealer, as long as he deals the game correctly otherwise. It's something most dealers pick up whilst dealing it anyway.

So the answer to why people bend the cards in Baccarat is; tradition?

just to prolong the suspense. more excitement.

Quote: petro

So the answer to why people bend the cards in Baccarat is; tradition?

In my opinion, sort of.

I think (symbolically) having the bank, drawing the cards from the shoe, and exposing the banker's hand is a responsibility, a sign of status, and an ego boost. The traditions of the Chinese players (especially the alpha males and females) fit the game perfectly.

Running off on a bit of a tangent, dealing a good baccarat game is physically and mentally a little easier than dealing a good craps game, but full bacc is much more elegant than dice.