History Of Baccarat

Baccarat is a gambling game played with cards. The word Baccarat itself is derived from baccara (the Italian word meaning zero). Baccarat is thought to have its origins in card games played with tarot cards during the middle ages (5th century to the 16th century). Modern variations of Baccarat developed in Italy (probably sometime in the early to mid 1400's). The game was somewhat popular in Italy but gained even more popularity after it was introduced to France.

Baccarat was introduced to French nobility sometime in the late 1400's. In France, the game became known as Chemin de Fer (which translates into English as railroad).

Although the exact date of the introduction of Baccarat to France is not known, it is thought to have been sometime around 1483-1498, during the reign of Charles VIII of France.

The game became very popular with wealthy French people and in order to keep the game 'noble', the french made the amount bet so high that only the very wealthy could afford to play.

In France, many a wealthy family were made poor by Baccarat and the game has been declared illegal in France at various times. From France, the game was introduced to England, where it also became popular with those that could afford to play. During the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), Baccarat was a favorite game of the British aristocracy. In the 20th century Baccarat became popular in South America. In Argentina, a variation of Baccarat called 'Punto y Banca' evolved.

Punto y Banca was popular with wealthy South Americans who played it in Argentinian casinos. It was soon introduced to Cuban casino players. In Cuba, the game underwent a rule change and became the form of Baccarat that is today known as Punto Banco (American Baccarat). After the Cuban Revolution in the 1950's, Punto Banco was introduced to Las Vegas casinos. It is now the variation of Baccarat that is most played in American, Australian, and Canadian casinos.

The object of American Baccarat is to bet on who you think will have a score closest to 9, the player or the banker. You can bet on either, or you can bet on a tie. The player and the banker are each dealt a 2 cards (with a maximum of 3 cards being allowed). The tens, jacks, queens, and kings are worth 0. Aces are worth 1 and other cards are worth their face value.

After the player and banker have each been dealt 2 cards:
--- If the player has a total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, the player draws another card.
--- If the player has a total of 6 or 7, the player stands and draws no more cards.
--- If the player has a total of 8 or 9, neither the player or the banker draw any more cards.
--- If the banker has a total of 0, 1 or 2, banker draws another card.
--- If the banker has a total of 3, banker draws a card if the players third card is not an 8 or 9.
--- If the banker has a total of 4, banker draws a card if the players third card is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7.
--- If the banker has a total of 5, banker draws a card if the players third card is 4, 5, 6, or 7.
--- If the banker has a total of 6, the banker draws another card if the players third card is a 6 or 7.
--- If the banker has a total of 7, the banker stands and draws no more cards.
--- If the banker has a total of 8 or 9, neither the player or the banker draw any more cards.
--- If the banker has a total of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and the player total is 6 or 7, banker draws a card.
--- The banker has to stand on 6 if the player has a 6 or 7 total.

The high amounts of money wagered on Baccarat at casinos have continued to this day. Many casino operations have a separate guarded area where high rollers can play Baccarat in a secure area, away from those of lesser financial means. A lucky high roller can win millions of dollars and affect the monthly profit of a casino, in a single evening.

Online Baccarat is played the same way as Baccarat is played in a casino. However, in addition to high stakes games, there are many low stakes Baccarat tables online. Some low stakes tables allow minimum bets of a dollar or less, and almost every online casino has some form of Baccarat.