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.

The intense, drawn-out suspense of slowly revealing the card edge builds a massive, exhilarating adrenaline rush that simply flipping the card cannot possibly provide.
The squeeze transforms a rapid, boring 10-second game into a highly dramatic, multi-minute theatrical eventOnline live dealer casinos now use glass tables and special cameras to simulate the squeeze experience digitallyPlayers use complex, specific techniques (turning the card sideways) to slowly reveal the number of "pips" on the edge 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.

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!)
While it may look completely absurd to an outsider, it is a deeply respected ritual that transforms a sterile math game into pure, exhilarating theater.