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 Illusion of Control in Baccarat
The ritual of the squeeze provides this psychological release, allowing the player to feel as though they are physically wrestling a winning number out of the cardboard.

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 How to Execute the Perfect Squeeze
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.

The true tension occurs when the player turns the card sideways; if they see exactly two pips ("two legs"), the card is a 4 or 5.
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.

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!)
The Baccarat squeeze is a fascinating, highly theatrical intersection of deep human superstition and massive, unadulterated financial risk.