"Big Bet"'s Popularity Amongst Baccarat Players: A Review of the Popular K-Drama

Movies and series are popular as they depict people's actual lives. After all, they focus on things like relationships, money, careers, etc., and many people can empathize with the actors. This relatability paves the way for solid parasocial relationships where people can look to the actors for inspiration to embark on their journeys. We look at how "Big Bet" has influenced the casino industry, especially the baccarat players.

The "Big Bet" Fantasy

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Baccarat is an exciting game - you have three betting options and cannot determine which bet has the highest outcome. Of course, statistics show that betting on a tie is not always the best move, as this often has a low probability of winning. But since the game has no guarantees, many baccarat online players often take their chances and win despite these low chances. Its twists and turns and the need for players to bank on luck have thus made it a favorite.

Enter "Big Bet", a K-drama that has people on the edges of their seats. This series starts on a suspenseful note, with two men parked outside an office. Once the driver gets the go-ahead, the passenger leaves the car, walks into the office, and shoots someone before leaving. It is not long before a woman leaves the same office and heads to a neighbor for help. As all this goes down, the scene opens to Choi Min-sik, a casino operator who has been raking in big. Everything seems to be going well for him, and as the meeting ensues, law enforcement officers interrupt him and accuse him of killing Kim Hong-pa.

In a split second, things take a turn for the worse, and Choi finds himself in the hot seat. The police think he did it, and the reporters are hot on his heels - but he argues that he is not responsible. The suspense gets thicker as the audience cannot help but wonder if this bigshot is as innocent as he claims to be.

The Making of Choi Min-sik

Every bigshot has an interesting story of how they got to the top. And Choi Min-sik is no different. His story starts in 1972. We see Cha Moo-sik (Lee Kyu-hyung as young Choi Min-sik) growing up in an orphanage in South Korea after his mother left him there. His father is not in the picture, and Moo-sik must find a way to survive the harsh conditions.

Even if the odds are against him, he works hard to defy them. He has mastered how to win people in his favor and soon convinces other children to pool their resources to buy the things they want. And with games like rock, paper, and scissors in play, it's clear that he's not one to shy away from risk. This risk appetite later shows in his adult life, where he makes tough decisions.

Cha Moo-sik's story soon changes for the better when his father, a gambler, returns to the family. It's easy for Cha Moo-sik to learn the ropes of the gambling business. This time with his father shapes him in several ways. But just as he gets used to this normalcy, his father goes to prison over assault, and the family must once again find ways to stay afloat. Moo-sik leans on his previous business skills and starts selling papers to get enough to get by.

The Success Story

The walk down memory lane takes the audience to 2000, where they meet Choi Min-sik, now 30 years old and a school owner. His success attracts investors who propose he start a casino where players can enjoy baccarat. But unlike most baccarat games, this has an interesting twist. The players play baccarat and get vouchers, which allow them to get liquor, which they can exchange for cash. The process is lengthy but allows them to remain on the legal side.

Choi Min-sik buys into the idea and starts playing cards. But the savvy businessman notes that the lengthy process does not suit him and embarks on a journey to make the game even easier.

Working out the kinks of the operation helps him grow his business so much that he moves it to the Philippines. And just when things cannot get any better, he gets accused of murder, forcing him to rethink everything he thought he knew.

What People Love About the Show

This K-drama is easy to follow. And while the stars mainly engage in crimes, they are so relatable that many people find themselves vouching for them. It is hard not to support the resilience of a man who has had to fight to earn what is his. It is even harder not to fall in love with his passion and work ethic. Throughout the series, fans find themselves anticipating Choi's next move and hoping that his decisions will not result in failure. And isn't that just like playing baccarat? The game requires you to have a risk appetite and keep going no matter how it turns out. But, like with any other casino game, you could find yourself in a precarious situation - watching how Choi handles his lows can help you perfect your gameplay!

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"Big Bet" is directed by Kang Yoon-sung, Nam Gi-hoon, written by Kang Yoon-sung, and features Choi Min-sik, Son Sukku, Lee Dong-hwi, Bae Hae-sun, Jin Soo-hyun, Lee Moon-sik. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/12/21~2023/01/25 - 2023/02/15~2023/03/22, on Disney Plus.