The history of the game
Perhaps one reason for Baccarat's relative anonymity is its rather intimidating history. Dating back as far of the 1400s, the game of Baccarat first originated in Italy, before it moved across its borders into France, and the court of King Charles VIII. It was here that Baccarat first gained its reputation as one of the world's most sophisticated games, quickly becoming adopted as a favourite of the aristocracy.
From Europe Baccarat continued its journey across the ocean, stopping in Cuba before finally coming to rest in Las Vegas, Nevada, where its popularity continues to this day. And it's not just its appeal that has endured - its association with class and style has too, thanks to it being played in exclusive roped-off areas frequented by millionaires and other high-rolling players.
But perhaps the most significant event in the history of Baccarat has been its introduction to the world of online gaming. Thanks to its digital evolution and the lowering of its minimum bets, the game of Baccarat has been opened up to a new generation of players - so now instead of a fat bankroll, the only prerequisite for playing Baccarat is enthusiasm and love for the game!
How to play online Baccarat
The irony of course is that while Baccarat is thought to be a somewhat daunting game, it's in fact one of the simplest to play. Essentially, the aim of Baccarat is to bet on one of three outcomes - whether the "Player" hand will win, whether the "Banker" hand will win, or whether the game will result in a "Tie". If either of the first two are a winning bet, the odds pay out 1 to 1. However if you place a winning bet on a Tie, you'll be paid out 8 to 1 - a fabulously rewarding outcome!
The order of the game is simple. At the start of the game, two cards are each dealt to the Player and Banker positions. The hand that has a value closest to 9 (known as Baccarat) is the winner. Tens and faces count as 0, Aces count as 1, and all other cards are worth their face value.
Sounds simple enough? That's because it is! All you have to do is place your bet on one of the three potential outcomes, then sit back and let the dealer do the rest. Maximum reward for minimum effort, and all with one hand of cards. So why not give online Baccarat a chance today? You can even enjoy the new and popular live dealer version! Our experts have found a selection of the world's top Baccarat online casinos for you - just sign up, deal yourself in, and enjoy all the fun and all the winnings of the game of kings!
