Baccarat has a long and rich history in gaming in many countries. It is one of many games you participate in at a casino, and it uses cards to test your luck. Some like it because of the low house edge, and others love it because it is easy to play.
Its roots trace back to as old as the 14th century. However, the exact origins remain unclear. Before it became popular in casinos, it made rounds within smaller gaming communities. This is where the card game all started.
The Origins of Baccarat
According to historians, baccarat may have derived from a Chinese game called Pai Gow. Instead of cards, players used tiles, as reaching a score of nine is the winning number. However, this is due to the correlation between Pai Gow and Baccarat having the best score of nine.
Another account claimed that it started in Ancient Rome. People play baccarat with nine-sided dice. People receive prizes when one rolls an eight or nine. It suggests that eight or nine being the best outcome may have had an influence on the official rules.
Felix Falguiere, an avid Italian gambler, made the first set of rules. The first games used tarot cards, and it was a pastime for French noble families. King Louis XIV banned baccarat, yet it had the opposite effect. Baccarat became even more popular with players interested in the game.
By the 15th century, French soldiers brought baccarat after conflicts with Italy and developed their version called Baccarat banque, also known as Á deux tableaux. Over time, the game arrived in traditional casinos and gaming establishments.
On the other hand, the word baccarat has an Italian origin. When translated into English, it means “zero.” In each game, all tens, jacks, kings, and queens in baccarat have zero value. As the game got more popular in France, it was widely adopted worldwide.
Baccarat In Brick-And-Mortar Casinos
As baccarat arrived in traditional casinos, players consisted of the elite. It is also the game with a house edge of approximately 1%.
In the US, the rules included having a player and a banker with three dealers involved. Due to this, the rich have the upper hand. Later, these issues cleared out, making the game affordable to the masses. The rules changed to set a bet to the player, banker, or a “tie.” As a result, the dealer had more responsibility, and the stakes were much lower.
Baccarat Today
Baccarat today has seen rapid changes. With the arrival of online casinos in the 1990s, players can enjoy baccarat on any website. There are many variants of baccarat that players now enjoy. However, the game still has a large presence in traditional casinos, especially in Asia.
Players can also participate in official baccarat tournaments, which gained popularity. These tournaments include the Baccarat Tournament of Champions, the World Series of Baccarat, and the Royal Dragon Tournaments.
Wrapping up
Baccarat shows in its history that people love to play and test their luck. While its accessibility stalled for a time, it did not stop the player’s love of baccarat. With simple cards and a low stake at hand, it makes the game exciting. So when you draw a card, you continue the long-standing foundation in gaming.
