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Gambling in Macau: The Most Popular Games

The Gambling Capital of the World

When Westerners think of gambling, Las Vegas is the first thought. In reality, however, the American market is tiny compared to the undisputed heavyweight champion: the Chinese territory of Macau. The gambling halls of Macau generate billions of dollars more than their American counterparts. When you visit these massive Asian properties, you will instantly notice a massive cultural difference. Western games are pushed to the corners. The Asian players prefer entirely different games. Learning these games provides a fascinating look into a completely different gambling culture.

The Undisputed King: Baccarat (Punto Banco)

The king of the Macau casino floor is undoubtedly Baccarat. In Macau, Baccarat often accounts for an astonishing 80% to 90% of all casino profits. It is played almost exclusively by the ultra-rich VIPs.

• The Appeal of Baccarat: Chinese gamblers generally prefer pure chance over skill. There is no math or strategy to memorize. You bet on which side will win, and fate handles the cards. It is rapid-fire and fair, perfect for massive, fast wagers.
• The Card Squeeze: The coolest part of the game is bending the cards. Players will aggressively bend the cardboard superstitiously trying to force the card to be a winning number. Because the cards are bent in half, the dealer throws the deck away.

Sic Bo: Rolling the Bones

While Americans throw two dice, Asian players gather around the Sic Bo table. The game of Sic Bo uses three dice in a glass dome.

The board is covered in glowing boxes, but the game is incredibly simple. Players simply bet on the outcome of the three dice. You can place safe, even-money bets like ’Big’ or ’Small’, or risk money on specific outcomes like hitting a specific triple, which pays a staggering 180 to 1. It is a high-energy, fast-paced game.

Traditional Games

Beyond Baccarat and Sic Bo, traditional culture plays a massive role in the Macau casinos.

To wrap up, the Asian casino floor shows a society that loves superstition and fast action. While Vegas makes you learn math, the games of Macau allow the player to simply sit back, place a massive wager, and let the universe decide their fate.