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This strange, deeply dramatic process is universally known in the casino world as "squeezing" the cards, and it is the absolute soul of high-stakes Baccarat.

To an outside observer, this slow, destructive manipulation of casino property seems entirely pointless, especially since Baccarat is a game of pure, unalterable luck.
Why Baccarat Players Squeeze Cards
The ritual of the squeeze provides this psychological release, allowing the player to feel as though they are physically wrestling a winning number out of the cardboard.

The intense, drawn-out suspense of slowly revealing the card edge builds a massive, exhilarating adrenaline rush that simply flipping the card cannot possibly provide.
The highest betting player at the table is historically granted the exclusive, honored right to squeeze the cardsNo matter how hard a card is squeezed or bent, the actual printed mathematical value never changesCasinos enthusiastically allow this destruction because the massive VIP bets easily cover the cost of replacing the ruined decks The Mechanics of Squeezing Cards
The player slowly peels back the absolute very top edge of the card, completely covering the actual corner numbers with their thumbs.

If they see a continuous line across the top, it is a "picture" (Face card or 10), which is worth zero in Baccarat and often causes players to immediately toss the card away in disgust.
The Financial Reality of the Squeeze
However, at a high-stakes VIP Baccarat table, the casino actively expects and completely encourages the total destruction of every single deck used.

A busy VIP Baccarat room might completely destroy and discard hundreds of decks of high-quality playing cards every single night.
GameCan You Touch the Cards?Consequence of BendingStandard BlackjackNo (Dealt face up)Immediate ejection from casinoVIP BaccaratYes (Encouraged)Deck is discarded and replaced
While it may look completely absurd to an outsider, it is a deeply respected ritual that transforms a sterile math game into pure, exhilarating theater.