All About Baccarat

Baccarat is a word that is used in the French and Italian languages that translates to 'zero' in English. Due to this coincidence, both countries claim that the classic game was founded within their borders, though the exact origins are still unknown.

The Italian Story

The most well-known story that refers to the origins of baccarat comes from Italy. As it goes, a man by the name of Felix Falguierein developed the game during the Middle Ages as a way to pass the time while travelling. The game was initially played with tarot cards and followed the legend of a blonde virgin's trials and tribulations with nine Etruscan gods. Each roll of the die signified a different fate for the virgin.

The French History

Despite countless tales that baccarat originated in Italy, there is well-documented evidence which suggests it was being played in French casinos as early as the year 1500. During this time, casinos were only open to the well-to-do, so baccarat was a game associated with the nobility and royalty. As a matter of fact, until very recently, many consumers felt that the game was out of their reach due to their income levels and social standings.

Baccarat Today

These days, baccarat can be found in land-based and online casinos all over the world, and there are certainly no restrictions on who can play the game. The most popular version of baccarat today is Chemin de Fer, a version that was originally developed in France but made its way to England less than 100 years later. This version can now be found in online venues and casinos in Las Vegas and Monte Carlo.

Players who are interested in learning how to play baccarat will be happy to find plenty of free game rooms all over the internet. Once their skills have been honed, playing for money is as simple as creating an account or visiting a nearby casino.