Big Baccarat: Table etiquette

I am going to give Big Baccarat a run next time in LV.

Would my girlfriend be allowed to sit next to me at the end of the table if she is not playing?

I would say yes, provided that the table is not completely packed (rarely is). This is similar to an empty blackjack table. Your girlfriend (provided that she is 21 years old) would be allowed to sit next to you, cheer you on, etc. while you are playing. But if the table fills up, the staff might ask her to stand behind you.

It also depends on how much you are betting per hand. If you are throwing down $10,000 in action per bet, I am sure the casino will not ask your girlfriend to stand behind you while you are playing baccarat.

One last comment, you may wish to ask the other players at the baccarat table if it is okay for you and your girlfriend to join them There are certain unlucky numbers in Asian culture (like 4, which represents death) and they may or may not want you to join at that time. Yes, bacarrat players are freaks, but by asking the other players if it is okay to sit down, you will show respect to those already playing.

Hope that helps.

Oh, yeah. You'll be fine. Just don't ask her to dance on the table when you win.

I pretty much agree with gambler's answer. However, I've never once asked to join a table. In a blackjack game I'll usually ask other players if they mind if I join mid-shoe, which I think is good etiquette. In pai gow I know there is going to be tension anyway, so I just sit down without comment. The first time I ask to bank is when the cultural friction will really heat up. If given the choice, I prefer not to join a table of all Asian players, but with pai gow, that often isn't an option.

Quote: Wizard

If given the choice, I prefer not to join a table of all Asian players, .

LOL, that was my first thought. That'll be the day when I ask a table full of Asian players permission to do anything, they'll just ignore you and pretend they don't speak English anyway. They don't want you there, they think you bring bad luck. If you want to have fun, tell the guy in the 4th chair that even though there's no number 4 on the layout, he's still at the 4th spot. He'll try and kill you with his eyes.. Number 4 is the unluckiest number in Asia and some cell phones there have no 4 on them, no 4th or 14th floor in buildings, no floors at all with a 4 in them, no apartment numbers with a 4, no product numbers with a 4. Superstition comes from not understanding how anything in life works, so you blame everything on make believe factors that in reality have nothing to do with it.

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Quote: gofaster87

I take it you dont believe in religion? Religion and superstition are pretty much the same.

Religion is based more on old urban myths than on superstition. Moses parted the Red Sea; at least thats what I heard around the campfire when we were all telling tales.