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Baccarat online is a game that is usually associated with high rollers and large bets, but not often with huge payouts. In fact, the truly big payouts usually only come if a game offers a progressive jackpot side bet, which is fairly rare in online baccarat. However, it is less rare at land casinos, and in May this year, a lucky Vegas baccarat player won more than $1 million after placing a side bet when playing at Palms Casino Resort.
The Story Behind the Win
Palms Casino Resort is located off the Strip on West Flamingo Road. The casino offers more than 50 table games, including several baccarat tables.
The lucky player has been identified as Las Vegas local Jian W., and he was playing baccarat when he was dealt a rare suited hand, which, because he had placed the qualifying $5 progressive side bet, triggered the top jackpot prize. It was such a big win that it led to celebrations across the casino floor, with family, friends, and the other players joining in. Palms Casino Resort described the hand as “an uncommon suited winning-hand combination,” which shows just how rare the hand must be.
As you are no doubt aware, the main game of baccarat is very simple. You can bet on Player, Banker, or Tie, and the goal is to be on the side that finishes closest to nine. However, the progressive jackpot is separate from the standard game, and it is won if specific card combinations are dealt, regardless of whether the Player or Banker wins.
How Baccarat Progressive Jackpots Work
Progressive jackpot side bets are common in many casino games, including baccarat. They are optional, so players do not have to place them in order to play the main game. However, if they want to qualify for the jackpot, they must make the additional bet before the hand begins.
A portion of each qualifying side bet is added to the jackpot pool. This means that the prize keeps growing until the required winning combination appears. The exact rules vary depending on the game, but in baccarat, the biggest prizes are often linked to rare suited combinations or specific high-value hands.
Importantly, side bets are separate from the basic baccarat strategy. A player can win the main hand and lose the side bet, or lose the main hand and still win the side bet if the right cards appear, which is part of what makes side bets exciting.
However, it is worth remembering that side bets usually come with a much higher house edge than the main baccarat bets. They are designed to be exciting, but they are not usually the best option for players who are only thinking about long-term value.
A Truly Spectacular Win
Large slot jackpots are fairly common in Las Vegas, so they tend only to attract brief attention. However, a seven-figure baccarat win is very different, partly because baccarat is not usually thought of as a jackpot game.
The story of how the lucky Vegas baccarat player won the impressive jackpot is also inspiring because the qualifying bet was so small. A $5 bet wager turning into more than $1 million is exactly the kind of dream story that inspires people to head to Vegas in the first place. While most people will never see that kind of outcome, the possibility is enough to make the side bet tempting.
Of course, for Palms, the win is also excellent publicity. Off-Strip casinos have to work harder to draw attention than the biggest resorts on the Strip, and a million-dollar baccarat jackpot is the kind of story that travels far and wide.
Baccarat is one of the clearest and simplest table games, whether played in Las Vegas or online. Side bets, on the other hand, add a much higher level of volatility. This time, the volatility worked out extremely well for Jian W., so next time you take a seat at a baccarat table with side bets, consider incorporating it into your budget, as big wins really do happen.
Hi, I’m Caroline, an experienced editor with a rich background in journalism. My career began at several Boston-based newspapers, where I specialized in editing and …
