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What is Scorecard Reading?
Although baccarat may seem like a game of pure luck for players, it is actually a game that involves many techniques. Seasoned baccarat players are skilled at card counting, and one of the most commonly used techniques is scorecard reading. Scorecard reading involves recording the outcomes of each round and using this information to predict future results. This record-keeping process is often referred to as 'writing the road.' In baccarat, the term 'road' refers to the record of the game's outcomes. There are several ways to record the road, including the Bead Plate, Big Road, Big Eye Boy Road, Small Road, and Cockroach Road. Based on these records, players make decisions on whether to bet on the banker or the player in the next round.
Scorecard Reading Method 1: Bead Plate (Bead Road)
The Bead Plate is the most basic way of recording the outcomes in baccarat. Players start by drawing a grid of 11 rows and 6 columns on a piece of paper. After each round, they record the result of the banker, player, or tie from left to right in the grid. Typically, red circles represent banker wins, blue circles represent player wins, green circles represent ties, and red dots represent banker pairs, while blue dots represent player pairs. Players then use this record to determine their bets for the next round.
Each column typically has 6 squares, and there are 11 columns in total. The Bead Plate's record-keeping method is quite similar to the Big Road, with the main difference being that the Bead Plate records ties (green circles) as well.
Scorecard Reading Method 2: Big Road
The Big Road is the most commonly used method of scorecard reading in baccarat. Players start by drawing a grid, similar to the Bead Plate, and use similar symbols for recording results. The key difference is that ties (green circles) are not recorded in the Big Road. Players begin recording on the left side of the first row, and each time there is a change in the winning outcome (from banker to player or vice versa), they start a new row. For example, if the banker wins the first two rounds, the first row will have two red circles. If the player wins the third round, the second row will start with a blue circle. By analyzing this record, players can determine when a streak may occur.
Scorecard Reading Method 3: Big Eye Boy Road
The Big Eye Boy Road is an extension of the Big Road and requires a similar grid. It begins with the second square of the third row in the Big Road or the first square of the fourth row if there are no symbols in the second square of the third row. The Big Eye Boy Road follows three specific rules:
Uniform: If there are two symbols in the first row of the Big Eye Boy Road and two symbols in the second row, it is considered 'uniform,' and players mark it with a red circle. If it's not uniform, players mark it with a blue circle.
Equal Odds (1-2): If the second square in the second row of the Big Road has a symbol, players mark it with a red circle. If not, they mark it with a blue circle.
Straight: If the second square in the second row of the Big Road is empty and the second square in the fourth row has a symbol, players mark it with a red circle.
Recording in the Big Eye Boy Road starts from the first square of the third row or the second square of the fourth row if there are no symbols in the first square of the third row.
Scorecard Reading Method 4: Small Road
The Small Road also extends from the Big Road and follows similar rules for recording. It starts from the second square of the third row in the Big Road or the first square of the fourth row if the second square of the third row is empty. The Small Road's recording rules are quite similar to the Big Eye Boy Road.
Scorecard Reading Method 5: Cockroach Road (Roach Road)
The Cockroach Road begins from the second square of the fourth row in the Big Road or the first square of the fifth row if there are no symbols in the second square of the fourth row. Like the other roads, it follows specific rules for recording.
These scorecard reading methods allow baccarat players to gain insights into the game's patterns and trends, helping them make more informed betting decisions. |
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