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
Baccarat is a game requiring absolutely zero intellectual skill; the player makes no decisions other than choosing to bet on the "Player" or the "Banker."

For a VIP risking $100,000 on a single hand, the five minutes spent agonizingly squeezing the final card is the exact entertainment they are paying massive sums to experience.
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 three pips ("three legs"), the card is a 6, 7, or 8, which is exactly what a Baccarat player desperately wants to see.
Why the Casino Allows Card Destruction
However, at a high-stakes VIP Baccarat table, the casino actively expects and completely encourages the total destruction of every single deck used.

The casino gladly sacrifices the cardboard to keep the VIPs perfectly happy, deeply engaged, and continuously betting massive fortunes.
GameCan You Touch the Cards?Consequence of BendingStandard BlackjackNo (Dealt face up)Immediate ejection from casinoVIP BaccaratYes (Encouraged)Deck is discarded and replaced
The Baccarat squeeze is a fascinating, highly theatrical intersection of deep human superstition and massive, unadulterated financial risk.