Baccarat is a casino card game that originated in France and Italy around the early renaissance. Today, it’s the favourite game of high rollers at casinos. While portrayed as formal and elegant in James Bond movies, baccarat is actually a simple, slow-paced game that’s easy to learn and play.
It’s one of the oldest and most popular casino games, and has three variants: Punto Banco, Chemmy and Baccarat Banque (the most common version). Originally played by upper class aristocrats, baccarat is now one of the most played games in casinos worldwide.
The history of baccarat is an exciting one, with many variations on the game. It started in medieval Italy, but has spread to many countries.
Unlike other casino games, it has a low house edge and is considered a game of pure chance. It is also very popular among Asian high rollers, who are known for being high stakes gamblers and are willing to risk large amounts of money.
How to Play & Win at Baccarat
Before you start playing baccarat, you’ll need to know how the game works and how to bet on it. There are two main betting options: the Player’s Bet and the Banker’s Bet, which each have different payouts depending on the outcome of the hand.
There is also a third bet called the Tie bet. This is a wager that both the Player and the Banker will have the same total points, and it pays 8-to-1.
You’ll find a score sheet at most live baccarat tables that lets you keep track of your hands. This is an important tool for ensuring you have the best chance of winning and can keep track of your past winnings and losses.
The game is played by the dealer, who deals cards to both the Player and Banker. The objective is to get closer to nine than the other hand, which will earn you the highest score possible. If your total is higher than 9, the first digit of each card will be dropped to reduce the value.
Some of the most prized pieces of glass from Baccarat’s illustrious history include the monumental 24-foot tall crystal fountain exhibited at the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, and a pair of 90-light standing candelabra that were awarded gold medals at the same event.
These pieces are renowned for their intricate detail and exquisite craftsmanship. They are made from blown and fused glass, which is heated in furnaces that reach temperatures of 1500 degrees Celsius.
The glass is then decorated and gilded, before being encased in a silver or gold frame. The finished piece will be engraved with the mark that Baccarat used for most of the 19th Century: a circular seal containing a decanter, cup and glass either side.
In the 19th Century, a long line of French monarchs and Emperors would commission Baccarat to produce some of their most beautiful glassware. In particular, Charles X was so impressed with the factory’s products that he commissioned an extensive glass dinner service for the Tuileries Palace.