Baccarat is a casino game originating in Italy and France that has seen tremendous growth over the last thirty years, particularly in Asia.
Gambling has seen a meteoric rise in popularity among high-stakes gamblers around the world, spurred on by Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel, Casino Royale – featuring Bond and Le Chiffre playing Baccarat.
Origins
Baccarat’s history is an intriguing one, filled with some fascinating turns. Though it may be seen as a high-class game only available at luxurious Monte Carlo casino salons, its roots actually lie deep within Italian and French gambling houses.
The game of baccara originated in Italy during the 15th century and eventually spread to France. Originally called baccara (Italian for zero), all face cards and tens were counted as zeroes.
Soon, this card game became immensely popular in France and by the 1800s had gained a worldwide reputation for high stakes and sophistication. It even found its way onto train stations where it became known as Chemin de fer (railway baccarat).
Rules
Baccarat is one of the world’s most beloved casino games. While it relies solely on chance, there are strategies that can help you win big time.
The game of blackjack is played with three to six standard decks of cards that have been shuffled together and placed into a “shoe,” where cards are dealt.
Players and bankers are dealt two cards each. If neither hand produces a natural, further cards are drawn until one of the hands has a total close to nine.
Variations
Baccarat is one of the most beloved casino games, yet it offers more variety than many players realize. There are actually multiple variations of this popular card game with slightly different rules and side bets.
Chemin de Fer is one of the oldest baccarat variants, originated in France and meaning “railway”. This game uses six decks of cards with each player taking turns being the banker.
The banker places a tentative amount of money and players must match it until the total is covered. Once this limit has been reached, the game moves clockwise to the next player.
Punto Banco, another variation of baccarat, shares the same rules and betting options as blackjack. This version has been popular in land-based casinos for decades and can now be played online via live dealer gaming.
Bets
Baccarat is a beloved card game enjoyed worldwide. It appeals to players of all ages and is often their go-to option when looking for something new.
Baccarat dates back to medieval Italy and was designed as a card game for the elite. Initially known as ‘Baccara’ (the Italian word for zero), all tens and face cards were worth zero points.
Baccarat was once a favourite of many aristocrats and is now ubiquitous in casinos worldwide. Although its popularity waned during the late 19th century, its revival began in the 1950s. Nowadays, baccarat is one of the most beloved casino games worldwide and can be enjoyed online at various sites.
Payouts
Baccarat is one of the most sought-after casino games due to its low house edge and relaxed atmosphere. While its rules are straightforward, players can boost their odds of success by using strategic betting tactics.
Baccarat offers a variety of payouts depending on the number of cards dealt and if both hands will tie. You may also place bets on each hand’s total card count.
In standard baccarat, face cards (Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth zero points; tens are worth the exact number printed on them while aces are worth one point. When the total points in a hand exceed nine, the first digit is dropped to determine its point value – this same method used when determining who wins in a draw.