Baccarat Basics and History Guide

Our Baccarat Guide gives you a look at the game basics and origins.

Baccarat is an Italian word which means “Zero”, but there is a great amount of controversy as to its actual origination. The game of Baccarat however is one of the oldest games played in any casino, and it is also believed that the game was first originated by an Italian gambler Felix Falguierein, and was originally played with a deck of Tarot cards.

Baccarat was introduced into France during 1490. This was the game for nobles and was very much considered illegal in its earlier stages and therefore played secretly. Later the game became legalized by legislation, but was taxed and its proceeds were used for development for the poor. Later on during the time of Napoleon and Louis Phillipe it once again became banned. Once gambling once again became legal in France, it suddenly grew an extremely popular past time and Casinos were then built all over France. During early 20th century is it said that a team named the Greek Syndicate, which was led by Nico Zographos, worked towards making themselves the greatest gambling team of all times. This group made around five million dollars as they counted cards and read body language. In France, the game was called Chemin de Fer meaning “railroad’ and is still know this way in France and Spain today.

Later mini-baccarat was introduced, and this is played on a table exactly like that of Blackjack. Baccarat has also grown popular online and one can easily trace the different variations.

The Basics To Playing Baccarat Online

• A winning hand is a hand that is closest to 9.
• Tens and face cards count as zero, with the exception of the ace, which is worth 1.
• Cards 2 to 9 are worth their face value. When your initial cards total is a two digit number, the first one is dropped.
• In other words if you are dealt a six and a seven, the total is 13 and your tally is then set to 3, as the one is dropped automatically according to the rules.
• Should the first two cards of your hand together give you a total of 8 or 9 the hand will then be declared a ‘natural’ and wins (unless there is a tie between two naturals).
• As a natural, both hands then stand as a natural hand wins.
• If the total is not a natural win on either hand, another card is drawn for each hand to determine the winner. Remember, anybody can be the banker.