Day: September 7, 2024

The best place to cool off in Hong Kong during sweltering summer days is in one of the city’s many swimming pools. However, a shortage of lifeguards means that many pools may only be partially open this summer, which could be an inconvenience to swimmers and tourists alike.

Despite the ongoing crisis, Hong Kong’s public swimming pool system is still operating normally, with most of the 44 reopened pools in operation. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) says that all pools remain safe for use, although a shortage of lifeguards has caused some to be shut down completely.

Swimming is a great way to keep fit and healthy in Hong Kong, as it helps strengthen the muscles of the legs and back, while also reducing stress and improving blood circulation. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, swimming pools continue to remain popular in Hong Kong with more than three million people visiting public swimming pools in the past year.

But some locals say that a lack of trained staff at Hong Kong pools is hindering the city’s health and fitness goals. A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Swimming Teachers Association said that many beginners had been left without lessons as swimming facilities were closed during the pandemic, and a lack of lifeguards is now forcing some pools to close. The union also warned that if pool openings are delayed this summer, the impact on young children will be “disastrous”, with many having to wait until they’re seven or eight before starting swimming lessons.

In addition to regular pools, HK has some truly special pools, including the world’s highest indoor pool. The Ritz Carlton’s pool is located on the 118th floor of the International Commerce Center, aka Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper, and features floors to ceiling windows, mirrored ceilings, and LED walls that showcase an illusion of coral reefs. If you’re feeling adventurous, a swim here is definitely worth the trip.

Another unique and popular pool is the YMCA Bridges Street Centre, built in 1918 and the first indoor swimming complex in the city. This pool is part of a historic complex and is fairly affordable in comparison to other pools around the city. It also hosts swimming lessons for kids, so it’s the perfect choice for families looking to spend a day cooling off in the water.

There’s also the Hammer Hill Pool, which is a hot spot for family trips and boasts a plethora of interactive facilities for kids like slides, water shooters, and an aqua tunnel. This destination public pool is closed on Mondays but is well worth the visit for anyone who loves to splash around and have fun in the water. Guests can even rent costumes and floats from the pool, and there is a small shop near the entrance that sells drinks and snacks. The cheapest option is to purchase a pool pass, which allows you to enter the pool for four hours. You can also pay for additional time if you wish to stay longer.

Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in the world. The game has a low house edge and offers a straightforward gameplay, which makes it easy for even new players to get started. Baccarat has also become an important source of revenue for casinos, especially in Macau and Singapore. However, despite the game’s popularity, many people still have a misconception about how it works. In this article, we will explore some of the basics of baccarat play and how it differs from other online casino games.

The goal of baccarat is to predict whether the Player hand will win, the Banker hand will win, or a tie will occur. You can bet on either the Player or Banker hand and place a bet up to $500 per hand. Cards are dealt from a multi-deck shoe and have a value of their face, except for tens and aces, which count as zero points. The aim is to get the total as close to nine as possible. The game was once played with the hands concealed, but now they are revealed after each round of dealing. The player and banker are both allowed to ask for a third card, but the decision is made by the dealer.

While there are a few different ways to bet in baccarat, most gamblers stick to the basics and bet on the player or banker hand. The game has a low house edge of about 1.2 percent on both the banker and player bets, making it a very lucrative option for high rollers. There is a third bet, the Tie, but this has a much higher house edge of over 14 percent. Most serious players avoid this bet, but it does attract some high rollers.

Once you’ve placed your bets, the dealer deals a card to each box and reveals it. The Player box will be dealt first, followed by the Banker box. Then, the two hands are compared and the winner is determined. The winning hand will be the one that is closest to 9. If your bet is on the winner, you will be paid out according to the table of payouts.

There are several baccarat betting strategies that can help you win at the game, but the most common is the Martingale system. This is a simple strategy that involves doubling your bet size every time you lose. The idea is that you will eventually break even or start to profit from your losses, and then you can resume at a lower bet size.

While baccarat is not as popular as slots or blackjack, it is a very profitable casino game for both players and the house. In fact, baccarat has become so popular that it is the main source of revenue for Macau casinos. However, the long-term take is much smaller than that of Strip casinos, which get most of their profits from slots and other games. The popularity of baccarat has helped drive the growth of online casinos, where it is often featured in live dealer tables.