History of Baccarat
Baccarat, while one of the most popular games in Las Vegas and on online casinos , is also a niche game unknown to many. While poker is known to be a popular game with a resurgence in recent years, baccarat is still one of online gambling's best kept secrets, beginning with the name itself. Pronounced "BAH-cuh-rah", the history of this game is a long and interesting one.
Where did Baccarat come from?
While it is thought that the game was started in the Middle Ages, gambling experts have not come to a consensus about where baccarat actually began. One story goes like this: an Italian moneylender named Lino Bussoli constantly was coming up with schemes to take money from unsuspecting victims and was feared throughout Italy due to his reputation and scary appearance. Bussoli had not only a long, crooked nose but had both ears cut off by a soldier as revenge for ripping off the local citizens. Bussoli's version of baccarat spread to France before evolving into the four modern versions: American, Chemin de Fer, European, and Baccarat en Banque. Baccarat rules varies a little for each of these games.
Another version credits another Italian native of the Middle Ages, Felix Falguierein, a gambler who first played the game using tarot cards. The game moved on to France just before the 16th century and belonged to the French upper classes before spreading across the lower classes.
The word "baccarat" means "zero" in both French and Italian, making its origin even more unclear.
Baccarat Today
It is believed that baccarat spread from France to Argentina, to Cuba, and just before Fidel Castro took over Cuba, from a casino owner to the Las Vegas Sands casino. Today, it is popular both in Las Vegas and on online casinos. While unknown to many in North America, baccarat is one of the more popular games among Asians who visit Vegas and in Portuguese Macao, near Hong Kong. As opposed to the Las Vegas version, the gambling tables in Macao allow more than one gambler to bet on a single area with the dealers having to follow each player's winnings in his head.
Mini-baccarat
To make the game more popular, the game mini-baccarat was created with a few twists. While similar to the American version, the minimum and maximum table limits are both lower to entice players with less money. The table is smaller, much like a blackjack table, and only one dealer controls the game. In many gambling locations, this is the only version offered. This game of course is available on many online casinos.
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