What is Baccarat?

Many people who make their way onto a casino floor may wonder about the exclusive, roped-off area where excited players are gathered around a table. More often than not, this is baccarat – a card game based solely on chance, steeped deeply in European history and, though it may look complicated, is actually one of the simplest casino games around.

Where did Baccarat Originate?

While baccarat can trace its roots back further than the Middle Ages, it was actually during this time that the game enjoyed a splendid revival with the use of tarot cards. The game became a firm favorite among European nobility and the name baccarat is probably from the Italian word (albeit slang) meaning ‘zero’. The contemporary version of baccarat played in many land casinos, known as mini-baccarat, came about due to the demand by US players to remove the pomp and grandeur associated to classic baccarat. The rules were simplified and today the game enjoys a lot of popularity in casinos all over the world.

What is Online Baccarat?

As online gambling became popular in the 1990s, software companies picked up on baccarat’s appeal and began to create baccarat games, much to the delight of online players. Today, all reputable online casinos carry baccarat in their suite of games, with many offering games at different levels and varying wagering limits to suit every taste and pocket.

What is the Objective of Baccarat?

Baccarat is a card game that does not require much of the player beyond the need to place a bet against the outcome of the game. There are two sides in a game of baccarat, known by their traditional Italian names: Punto (player) and Banco (banker). The two need to try and get as near to a total of nine out of the cards that they are dealt. The royal cards are worth zero, the ace is worth one and the rest of the cards are worth their face value. Players place their bets to see which side manages to reach nine with a two or three card hand.

What is the Most Popular Strategy for Baccarat?

Because baccarat is a game of chance, there is not much that players can do in terms of learning a strategy. Of course, there are always ways and means to minimize losses and these can be learned by practicing baccarat and using common sense regarding the choice of game level and issues of budgeting.

How is Baccarat Played in Tournaments?

Online gambling sites are the perfect place for players to enjoy exciting baccarat tournaments that are so popular on the internet. Here, players can pay an entry fee and play head to head with other baccarat fans. The winner of the tournament stands in line to win significant prize sums and good baccarat players find these games profitable, to say the least.