Last Updated on July 15, 2025 9:22 am by admin
Baccarat is a game of chance popular all over the world, in which players bet for or against the banker. Baccarat has become immensely popular, especially in Asia, and can be found in almost every casino from Macau to Singapore. It attracts players with deep pockets – the so-called high rollers – not only in Asia, but all over the world. Over the decades, this has created material for numerous legends. We introduce you to the game and some well-known names.
We explain why baccarat is so popular with high rollers.
Rules and gameplay of baccarat
The basic rules of baccarat are easy and quick to learn – and just as quick to explain. This is exactly what makes the game so popular with many casino guests around the world. If you’re looking to try baccarat online, using best online casino bonuses can give you a great head start with bonuses and extra play funds.
In baccarat, two main parties play against each other: the player and the banker. The aim of the game is to get as close to nine as possible with two or three cards. Aces count as one, cards from two to nine count according to their value, and tens and face cards count as zero. If the total of the cards is ten or more, the tens digit is dropped. For example, a hand with the cards six and eight totals four (14 minus ten).
The game begins with the players placing their bets on the player, the banker or a tie. After the bets have been placed, two cards are dealt to the player and two to the banker. Additional cards may be drawn based on the house rules of the game. The hand closest to a score of nine wins the round. If the player has bet on the correct hand, they win their bet, often at a ratio of 1:1, while a bet on a tie can yield significantly higher payouts but is less likely to win.
In High Roller Baccarat, the same basic rules apply, but there are some special rules and variations that are particularly interesting for high rollers. One of the main differences is the significantly higher betting limits, which are well above the typical table limits. At full-size tables, these often start at around £50 and go into the hundreds of pounds. In High Roller Baccarat, on the other hand, table limits in the millions are not uncommon. This allows wealthy players to place larger bets and potentially win higher prizes.
Approaches and tips for high roller baccarat
Baccarat sometimes involves a lot of money – and although a loss may not hurt the often wealthy players as much as it would normal players, they still want to win in the end. It’s not just luck that counts, but also the right approach.
Strictly speaking, baccarat is purely a game of chance. There are no strategies like in poker. However, a basic approach is to consistently bet on the banker, as statistically speaking, they have a slight advantage. Although the odds of winning are only slightly higher, this small difference can pay off over many games.
Managing your gaming budget is another crucial factor. Players should always set a fixed budget for each gaming session and stick to it strictly. It is important to only use money that you are prepared to lose. It is also advisable to secure your winnings regularly instead of reinvesting them immediately.
Discipline and risk management also play a central role in baccarat. Players should set clear rules for when to stop and when to continue playing in order to avoid impulsive behaviour. This includes accepting losses and not trying to recoup them quickly through ill-considered bets. A controlled and disciplined approach can lead to greater success in the long run than impulsive behaviour would.
Legendary baccarat high rollers
The experiences and stories of high rollers give the game of baccarat a special appeal and contribute significantly to its fascination. It is no coincidence that it features in numerous James Bond novels and films, as well as in other works set in the circles of the rich and beautiful.
Baccarat is extremely popular, especially in Asia. The reason for this probably lies in the Asian tendency to believe in the power of luck. Accordingly, the game is widespread in the casinos of Macau and other Asian gambling destinations. There are also a striking number of Asian names among the legendary baccarat high rollers.
Akio Kashiwagi
One of the most famous baccarat stories is probably that of Akio Kashiwagi, a Japanese real estate mogul who bet millions on baccarat in the early 1990s. As a whale (casino jargon for players who repeatedly bet large amounts), he often played with high stakes and received exclusive amenities from the casinos.
One of his most famous appearances was at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, where he bet and won millions in just a few days, earning him great fame. Nevertheless, Kashiwagi’s life also had a dark side. In addition to his impressive winnings, the Japanese businessman was also known for his debts and alleged links to organised crime.
He also fell out with former US President Donald Trump. His glamorous life came to a tragic end when he was murdered in his home in Japan in 1992. He was stabbed several times with a sword-like object. The perpetrator was never caught and the murder remains unsolved to this day.
His unsolved murder contributed to the mysterious aura surrounding Kashiwagi.
Zhenli Ye Gon
Zhenli Ye Gon is a Chinese-Mexican businessman who became famous primarily for his connections to the gambling world and his spectacular bets at baccarat – but also for his dealings in the underworlds of Mexico and the United States.
Born in Shanghai, China, Ye Gon later emigrated to Mexico, where he founded the pharmaceutical company Unimed Pharm Chem México. In the early 2000s, Ye Gon made a name for himself with his high stakes in Las Vegas casinos. He soon became known as a whale. Ye Gon lost and won millions of dollars in various casinos.
Ye Gon found himself at the centre of a massive scandal when Mexican authorities seized over $205 million in cash from his home in Mexico City in 2007. It was the largest amount of cash ever found in private possession. He was accused of being involved in methamphetamine trafficking and money laundering. However, Ye Gon claimed that the money had been entrusted to him by Mexican government officials for safekeeping. He later described the situation as ‘plata o plomo’ (‘silver or lead’, a Colombian saying for a situation in which you have the choice between cooperation through blackmail or death) to describe the pressure he was under. After his arrest in the United States, Ye Gon fought for years against his extradition to Mexico.
Phil Ivey
Phil Ivey has made a name for himself not only in poker, but also in baccarat. Ivey has won large sums of money in casinos around the world and became famous for his involvement in several high-profile cases of edge sorting. Edge sorting is a technique that exploits minimal differences on the backs of playing cards to gain an advantage.
In August 2012, Ivey won nearly $9.5 million at Crockfords Casino in London using edge sorting. The casino then refused to pay him the amount exceeding his original bet. Something similar happened in 2014 at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. Ivey was later found guilty of fraud by several courts and had to pay back his winnings.
Terrance Watanabe
Watanabe is an American businessman who is best known for his enormous losses at Caesars Palace and Rio in Las Vegas. He reportedly lost over $127 million in one year, making him one of the biggest losers in casino history – although it should also be mentioned that he gambled away nearly $825 million in the process.
He also occasionally involved the casinos themselves in his excesses. The Caesars Entertainment Corporation once had to pay $225,000 after failing to prevent Watanabe, who was heavily under the influence of marijuana and cocaine, from gambling. During the same incident, he made sexual advances towards female casino employees.
Conclusion: What makes baccarat so special?
Baccarat has long attracted not only regular players but also colourful and shady characters. They all have one thing in common: a desire to gamble and a well-filled bank account. This interesting mix has given rise to some exciting stories and scandals