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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.
The Psychology and Superstition of the Squeeze
Because they have no actual control over the game's mechanics, high-stakes gamblers desperately seek an "Illusion of Control" to manage the intense stress of betting massive fortunes.

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.
Baccarat requires no skill; squeezing provides a psychological illusion of physical control over the outcomeThe slow reveal drastically heightens the suspense and adrenaline rush of a massive, high-stakes wagerPlayers will often blow on the cards to "blow away" bad numbers, rooted deeply in Asian superstition Reading the Pips on the Edge
If the player sees absolutely no pips at the top, they immediately know the card is a low-value 2 or 3, or a terrible Ace.

If they see three pips ("three legs"), the card is a 6, 7, or 8, which is exactly what a Baccarat player desperately wants to see.
The Casino's Perspective: Ruined Decks as a Cost of Business
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.
Visual Clue (Sideways)Number of "Legs" (Pips)Possible Card ValuesTwo Pips visible on the edgeTwo Legs4, 5Three Pips visible on the edgeThree Legs6, 7, 8 (Highly Desired!)
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.