One of the most interesting aspects of casino games in recent years? The emergence of live online versions. This development has helped introduce a far wider audience to classic games like baccarat - games that were once considered to be pretty exclusive! So, how has this card game moved on from being a favourite of the French nobility and become a global favourite we all know and love?
The Early Days and the Introduction to France
The history of classic casino games like roulette and blackjack is closely linked to France, so it's no surprise to find that baccarat was widely played here in the past. While some theories suggest that baccarat was invented in Italy and brought to France by soldiers returning home from the Italian Wars, there's no definitive answer as to when it was first played and who came up with the idea… it's just too long ago for us to be absolutely sure!
However, it's clear that it was in France that baccarat gained widespread popularity. During the 19th century, it was played in private gambling rooms, and it even became the favourite game of King Charles VIII and the French aristocracy - not a bad following to have! The name Chemin de Fer was added when it reached France, and this name was used to describe the most popular form of the game in the following centuries.
Punto Banco is sometimes called American Baccarat and it represents a change made to simplify the game. Rather than playing against each other, players just have to try and beat the bank. The introduction of casino gambling laws at the start of the 20th century meant that baccarat could now be played freely in French casinos, but even so, it retained a reputation as an elite, high-stakes game that was mainly played by high rollers.
The Move Online
The end of the 20th century brought online casinos into the entertainment industry, suddenly making baccarat accessible to every type of player. While the first online versions of the game were based on simple virtual tables with computer-generated cards on them, live-streaming technology is now used to replicate an amazing physical baccarat table, where a human dealer gives out the cards and calls out the results - which a lot of people love.
If you look around the live dealer games offered by any reputable online casino, you'll see various versions of baccarat, including some with the Super 6 side bet that pays out if the banker's hand has a total of 6. Choose your stake, and you'll join the table, where you'll be asked how much you want to bet and your predicted outcome. Some versions have a chat facility where you can communicate with the dealer or other players. Pick a game that suits you, and you'll soon be having a whale of a time.
How to Play Baccarat
The fact that baccarat can be played online makes it easy for newcomers to get started. You'll see the rules clearly stated in each version (and they do differ, so make sure you've checked them out!). While different baccarat games are available, the most common online option is based on the Punto Banco rules - so much so that you'll just see these games listed as "baccarat" with no mention of Punto Banco in most cases. Confusing, potentially, so you really do need to check.
The rules are simple, as you just need to decide if you think the player or the banker is going to win. The other option is for the game to end in a tie. Once you've made your choice, there's nothing you can do to affect the outcome. You just need to wait to see what cards are drawn for each hand. The hand that gets closest to nine wins, but one of the key differences between the versions of the game is in the rules that are used to decide when a third card is drawn.
Can You Play in Monte Carlo?
As with most countries, online play has become the most popular way of playing baccarat in France. The wide variety of games and the easy way you can get started makes this a popular option for newcomers and experts alike to play. All you need to do is decide which version you want to try, with some even letting you take a seat at the table and watch a few hands being played before you decide to take part - nice insight into whether this game is "for you" or not.
If you want to play baccarat in a casino while in and near France, you'll find that you've got a ton of options. For example, if you're exploring the beaches in the south of the country, you might decide you're also going to check out the equally attractive gambling options… or you might just elect to flop on the sands and enjoy the same fun from your phone (with a bit of nice sunlight to boot - you don't get that in a real casino).
Baccarat has been a big part of the gambling scene in France for several centuries and seems set to continue in the same way. The way that the game has moved online so smoothly means that it's gained a lot more players, without losing any of its authentic appeal - good news all around!
