A Brief History of Baccarat

Baccarat has always been a popular favorite among casino games. It's combination of skill and chance allows the player to feel in control, even as his actions are predetermined by the game's strict rules. But where did Baccarat come from? What is the origin of this fascinating game?

What is Baccarat?

Any aficionado of spy novels can tell you that Baccarat is a card game; specifically, it is the favorite game of James Bond. The first Bond novel, Casino Royale, revolved around a game of Baccarat. Baccarat remains a perennial favorite in real-world casinos, both land based and online, as well.

So what exactly is this game? At its simplest, and simultaneously its most complex, Baccarat is a card game of skill and chance, combined in equal portions. In this respect, it is not unlike blackjack.

Baccarat has Old Roots

While Baccarat is generally associated with France in the popular mind, the game's origins appear to be in Italy. The word "Baccarat" itself is Italian in origin, and means "zero." Zero is the lowest point possible in a hand of Baccarat.

The Italian connection is interesting, because it helps link the game to a bit of mythical cachet. Some gaming historians believe that versions of Baccarat were played in ancient Rome, but others believe that the origins of Baccarat date back even earlier, to the Etruscan people of northwestern Italy.

The Etruscans had a legend about the annual prayer service at their Temple of Golden Hair. Nine gods would gather, and watch a virgin cast a die to determine her fate: would she go free, enter the priestly service, or die in the sea?

The die she cast had nine sides, and her fate rested on a single roll. If she threw an 8 or 9, she became the next priestess; a 6 or 7 sent her back to her home. On a 5 or lower, she would walk into the sea and drown.

Modern Style Baccarat

It's an appealing myth for gamers; even the gods could not interfere with the outcome. Now, in the 21st century, millions of regular people, even if they are not virgins, are playing baccarat for real money at both land-based casinos and online casinos all around the world. Under the rules of modern real money Baccarat, the cards can show point values of 0 through 9. An 8 or 9 will win a hand, a 6 or 7 is a risk, and 5 or lower almost always loses. And no one is allowed to break the rules.

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