Baccarat Background

History Of Online Baccarat

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The origins of Baccarat(pronounced bacc-a-rah) are unclear, though the meaning of the word ‘Baccarat’, zero, in Italian suggests that the game started in Italy. Most of the cards have a point total of 0 which is perhaps how the game got its name. The English and French also lay claim to the game, and Baccarat was popular with the French nobles in the 15th century where it was, and still is called Chemim de Fer, meaning railroad.

The Italians are believed to have used a deck of tarot cards to play the game way back in 1480, when it was introduced by Felix Falguierein, a gambler. Etruscan mythology centered in Italy and Corsica has an interesting tale that is said to have inspired Baccarat. Nine gods stood on tiptoes and prayed to a blonde virgin. They waited for her to throw a nine-sided dice. It was agreed that an 8 or a 9 would make her a priestess, a 6 or 7 would prevent her from engaging in any religious activity, and any number below that would have her walking into the sea.

The mid 20th century saw Argentina warming up to the game, especially at the Mar del Plata casinos. From here it moved to Cuba as the ‘punto banco’ game.

In the 1950s, the casinos at Las Vegas were introduced to Baccarat by Tommy Renzoni after the closure of casinos in Havana. Since then the game has acquired a select clientele amongst gamblers, the most famous of these being the enigmatic James Bond.

Structurally, Baccarat can be likened to Blackjack, and there are reports to suggest that the game was played as a version of Blackjack during the reign of King Louis Philippe between 1793 and 1850.

With online Baccarat, the game took a giant leap forward. From its exclusivity at select casinos, the game has moved to the desktop where it has become as accessible as the other casino games.

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