The Sapphire Bulletin wishes it’s readers a joyful and prosperous Lunar New Year!

This issue introduces readers to one of the most popular card games in the realm of casinos – Baccarat.

Mastering the art of Baccarat

Baccarat is a popular casino card game which traces its roots to 1490 when it was first introduced to France from Italy. The word itself means zero, which indicates the lowest value of the face cards in the game. Baccarat is more of a game of chance/luck as opposed to skill. There are three different betting ways; the bettor can either bet on the Banker, the Player or Tie.

Game Play

Two cards will be dealt to the Banker and the Player. Bettors must place their bets before the cards are dealt. The main objective of the game is to sum up the value of the cards totaling closest to 9. The cards values are set at face value for the cards numbered 2 – 9, Aces are valued at 1 and 10’s and face cards are valued at 0. The Banker does not mean it represents the casino; neither does the Player represent you. The bettor gets to choose which hand he wants to place his bets. He may also bet on Tie, which means that when the face value of the cards in Banker and Player are the same, he will win the bet with a high pay out of 8-1. (i.e. bet $100, wins $800 on top of betting amount) Alternatively, he may also bet on Pair, which means that when the face value of the two cards in either Banker or Player are a pair, he will win the bet with a high pay out of 11-1 (i.e. bet $100, wins $1100 on top of betting amount) If the bettor places his bet on Player and wins it, his pay out will be 1-1. (i.e. bet $100, wins $100 on top of betting amount) Most casinos charge a 5% commission on bets that win on the Banker’s hand. (i.e. bet $100, wins $95 on top of betting amount)

If either the Banker’s or Player’s hand totals 8 or 9 points with the first two cards, the hand is known as a “natural” and it automatically wins. If neither hand wins, the play continues, beginning with the Player’s hand. If the total of the two cards is 6 or 7 points, the hand must stand at that figure. But if the total is 5 points or less, then another card may be drawn. Up to three cards may be drawn per hand if the total value does not reach 6 – 9 points. The Banker’s hand is played in the same manner and once finished; the hand that is closer to 9 points is the winner.

Winning Strategy

As said earlier, baccarat is a game of chance rather than skill; there isn’t any perfect formula or strategies to pocket the chips. Some players try to predict the outcome of the cards by remembering the sequence of winning to spot a pattern, some even tried card counting. These methods may apply to other card games like Black Jack or Poker but certainly ineffective in Baccarat. Why?

Players are supposed to place their bets before cards are dealt in each game. This shows that Baccarat’s game rule is straightforward and does not involve any changes to game strategies like in Poker. The outcome of each hand is independent of the others.

However some has figured a smart mathematical system that helps to avoid losing large sums to casinos in Baccarat or Roulette games. It is called the “1-3-2-6” system. It works typically for any casino games with an even pay out of 1-1.

This system helps to win or minimize losses in the short run, but the house always wins; if you continue in the long run, the winnings will eventually go back to the casino.

2009 Grand Master Baccarat Tournament & Satellite Series

Grand Master Baccarat Tournament

• Date: 25 & 26 January 2009
• Venue: The Mahogany @ Crown Casino (Melbourne Australia)
• Registration: A$10,000
• Prize Pool: A$1 million

Sandy Lam Chinese New Year Concert

Date: 31 January 2009 (Saturday)
Venue: The Palladium @ Crown Casino
Description: Live concert by Sandy Lum featuring her latest hits and all-time favorites.

More Information:

• A RESERVE – Rows A - S:  Adult - AUD199
• B RESERVE – Rows T - X:  Adult - AUD139
• C RESERVE – Rows Y - CC:  Adult - AUD99
• D RESERVE – Rows DD - MM:  Adult - AUD69
• Prices include booking fee and GST. Transaction fee applies to phone charge and internet bookings.  
  
  TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM:
  Ticketek Regional & Metropolitan - 1300 795 012
  Ticketek Interstate (all states) - (03) 9299 9012
  Ticketek website - www.ticketek.com.au http://www.ticketek.com.au  

Grand Sapphire members stand to enjoy hassle-free concert bookings through the Sapphire Concierge.
Call the Sapphire Concierge Hotline at (+65) 6880 4078 to make bookings now!

Phantom of the Opera

• Date: 1 February – 8 March 2009
• Venue: Burswood Theatre @ Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth, Western Australia
• Description: Phantom of the Opera, Broadway’s longest running musical dating back to 1986. The Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiecel has experienced sell out seasons in Australia wide and now returns to Perth for a strictly limited season.

Synopsis:

Having played to more than 80 million people in 124 cities around the world, this full-scale production directed by Harold Prince is arguably the most popular musical of all time.

The Phantom of the Opera tells the story of a disfigured musical genius, known as the ghost, or “The Phantom”, who haunts the Paris Opera House. Deeply attracted to the beauty and talent of a young soprano named Christine, the Phantom pretends to be the “Angel of Music” and lures her as his protégé, giving her vocal coaching.

Falling madly in love with Christine and unaware of her love for Raoul, the Phantom’s obsession sets the scene for a dramatic turn of events where jealousy, love, passion and sacrifice collide.

This phenomenal musical is one to watch for. It showcases a number of beautifully written scores by Andrew Lloyd Webber, such as Music of the Night and Think of Me.

Ticket Pricing:

• VIP Packages from AUD159 (includes premium seats and exclusive The Phantom of the Opera merchandise)
• Dinner and Show Packages from AUD178 (includes premium seats and pre-show dinner at selected Burswood outlets)
• Stay and See Packages from AUD278 (includes premium seats and overnight accommodation at Holiday Inn Burswood) Tickets can be purchased online at www.showbiz.com.au/phantom or by calling 1300 4SHOWS.

Grand Sapphire members stand to enjoy hassle-free concert bookings through the Sapphire Concierge.
Call the Sapphire Concierge Hotline at (+65) 6880 4078 to make bookings now!

My Funny Valentine…

Sally Yeh in Genting Concert

• Date: 13 & 14 February 2009
• Venue: Arena of Stars, Casino de Genting, Malaysia
• Description: Hong Kong Cantonese pop veteran Sally Yeh is set to captivate you with her enchanting performance this Valentine’s Day.

More Information:

The stage is all set for the evergreen Cantonese pop diva Sally Yeh as she once again steps on the Arena of Star to give another mesmerizing performance. Sally’s singing career began in the early 1980s and steadily expanded in the following decades with a total of thirty albums and forty-odd compilations and live recordings. Living up to her name as the Queen of Pop, she is the only Hong Kong singer to have claimed Hong Kong’s Best Female Singer award four times!

Ticket Pricing:

Grand Sapphire members stand to enjoy hassle-free concert bookings through the Sapphire Concierge.
Call the Sapphire Concierge Hotline at (+65) 6880 4078 to make bookings now!

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Cold Play Viva La Vida Tour

• Date: 27 & 28 February 2009
• Venue: Burswood Dome @ Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth, Western Australia
• Description: Famous British rock band Coldplay is set to rock the stage with their aptly named “Viva La Vida” Tour.

More Information:

In efforts to promote their new album, Coldplay returns to Australia in February on their “Viva La Vida” tour. The highly famed band will go on-sale with two shows in each of the East Coast cities to ensure that as many tickets as possible meet the populous demand that was set the last time they toured.

On their previous performance in Australia in June 2006, Coldplay sold out a total of ten arenas shows, playing to more than 100,000 people, garnering rave reviews and leaving rapturous fans in their wake.

The new Coldplay album “Viva La Vida” was released in June 2008 and hit the charts at No. 1 in 36 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. This anticipated performance is not to be missed! Hurry and grab your tickets now!

Tickets:

• Gold Tickets UAD140
• Silver Tickets AUD122
• Bronze Tickets AUD110

Grand Sapphire members stand to enjoy hassle-free concert bookings through the Sapphire Concierge.
Call the Sapphire Concierge Hotline at (+65) 6880 4078 to make bookings now!

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Allured by these entertaining and sensational concerts? Thinking of where to head this holiday season? You may skip all the planning and enjoy a hassle-free vacation by just joining the Grand Sapphire membership. Why?

The Grand Sapphire membership offers a dedicated Sapphire Concierge that helps clients to plan their vacation, just the way they want it. We manage travel bookings from flight arrangements, hotel accommodation to travel insurance for our clients.

We do our best to fulfill your wishes this Christmas season. Our Sapphire Concierge also provides personalized services that cater to your specific needs such as making floral arrangements or wine orders for special occasions.

We pride ourselves in providing excellent hospitality services while giving our clients the most competitive commission rates when they roll with us at any desired casino resorts.

Find out more at www.grandsapphire.com today.