EVEN AGENT 007 HAD A FAVORITE GAME

Here’s Why James Bond Chose This Popular Game Over All The Others

Ian Fleming’s James Bond character was as stone-cold cool as any secret agent could be. A British Secret Intelligence Service member with a code name of 007. And although the author initially thought he would write a dull character who just haphazardly traipsed into intrigue, Bond surprised him. He morphed into our culture as austere and sophisticated. He liked his martinis shaken, not stirred. And his preferred game of choice, baccarat, was high-stakes and prestigious.

Bond played (and profited handsomely while playing) baccarat in no less than six of the 007 movies made. In fact, the 1971 film Diamonds are Forever is set in Las Vegas, which gives viewers a picture of Sin City from long ago that’s hard to believe.

Although the form of baccarat Bond excelled at the most was chemin-de-fer, where a single player posts a maximum bank the other players wager into, the game was similar to what we play in Arizona. To compensate for a house-banked game, Arizona baccarat takes away the individual Player-Banker options to stand or hit that Chemmy offers and uses a standardized set of rules just as blackjack does, such as dealer must hit until hard 17 or better is achieved.

That’s my long-winded way of saying baccarat is still a cool gamble. And, like 007, you can play the game effortlessly while enjoying a shallow house edge like blackjack and craps.

The Best Things About Baccarat

Although several forms of baccarat are still offered across the globe and in Arizona, mini or EZ bac is now the standard game where the dealer handles the cards, hits the Banker, and Player two-card draws according to set rules. There is no 5% commission like the larger table game offered.

So, you can take it easy, choose Player or Banker, and enjoy the game while the dealer does all the work. Just avoid regularly wagering on the Tie, Panda 8, and Dragon 7 bets because the house edge runs over 7% on each.

The best thing about baccarat is the nearly breakeven odds, but EZ bac also offers a speedy game like blackjack. On average, you’ll get 70 hands each hour. Unlike Let-it-Ride or WPT, where you’ll only see about 50 hands.

Because of the 3 to 2 payoff for blackjacks and optional double down and splitting, a player at blackjack only wins about 42.5% of their hands and pushes 8.5%. That means the house wins about 49%.

However, you’ll see some serious streaks at EZ bac since the odds of either the Player or Banker’s hand winning are so close. For those of you who love to increase your wagers and follow streaks, check out how blackjack and baccarat streaks compare.

Blackjack Player Streak Odds Baccarat Player/Banker Streak Odds

A streak of two wins = 22.5% A streak of two wins = 25%

A streak of three wins = 10.6% A streak of three wins is= 12.5%

A streak of four wins = 5% A streak of four wins = 6.25%

A streak of five wins = 2.4% A streak of five wins = 3.125%

A streak of six wins = 1.1% A streak of six wins = 1.56%

Remember, each wager is independent of the last. All streaks go both ways at some points, so don’t double up trying to get even!

Have fun playing baccarat! Email at editor@azgamingguide.com with baccarat in the subject field and let us know about your experience. $

Writer Al Moe has worked in the casino industry for many years. He has lived and worked in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. He also attended the University of Nevada, Reno. He is an avid writer and blogger. His book, “Vegas and the Mob," is available online at Amazon.com. He is also the proud father of four beautiful girls.