The Wonderful World of Baccarat and How It All Began

The game of baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in the world. Filled with chance, a touch of skill and loads of fun, baccarat is a card game loved by many.

Found around the world on casino floors, at online casinos and even via mobile devices thanks to mobile baccarat games, this exciting casino game is accessible by all.

A table of 12 to 14 players, the game is played with a standard deck of cards. Once you've placed your bet, the dealer will hand out two cards to each player as well as to the dealer spot. The aim of the game is to choose the winning hand. Wil the player or the banker take the win? Whoever manages to land the hand totalling as close to 9 as possible is the winner!

 The History of Baccarat

First found in Italy in the 1400s, a man by the name of Felix Falguiere created the game of baccarat. Named after the Italian word for "zero", the game quickly grew in popularity thanks to its ease and the quick rate at which the game can be played.

It's believed that the game is based on the Etruscan legend of a virgin who had to throw a nine-sided dice to determine her fate. It would determine whether she lived or died, but thankfully the worst that can happen when playing baccarat is that you can lose...

After moving over to France, baccarat was known as Chemin de Fer and became a fast favourite of King Charles VIII. Noblemen quickly caught on to the trend of playing Chemin de Fer and spread the word across the seas to England. Soon the game took off around the world and spread to casinos, and now online casinos, where players enjoy what it has to offer on a daily basis.

 Baccarat Made Famous by James Bond

After landing on the shores of England, the game of baccarat was picked up by Ian Fleming, the same man who created the beloved spy, James Bond. In his novel, and thereafter on the silver screens, 007 played the game of baccarat on a regular basis. 

The game is mentioned in many of Fleming's novels including Casino Royale, Dr No, Thunderball, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, For Your Eyes Only, and GoldenEye.

Thanks to its famous reveal, the game soon became even more popular than ever before and players were keen to emulate the suave moves taught by the secret agent himself.

 3 Tips for Playing Baccarat

Do you want to try your hand at this world-famous casino game? Take a look at these top 3 tips for placing the correct bets and potentially being a winner.

✓ 1. It's believed that the banker will win slightly more than 50 percent of all playing hands. Therefore, it makes good sense to bet on the banker when you're starting out for a better chance to win.

✓ 2. Manage your money! Always set a firm budget and be sure to stick to it. Once your baccarat cash runs out, log off and try again another day when Lady Luck may be on your side.

✓ 3. Avoid the tie bet. While tie bets may work in your favour if they pay out, the chances of this happening are much lower than if you placed your bet on the banker or the player. The odds are in fact stacked against you.

 Top Live Casino Baccarat Choices

One of the most popular ways to play baccarat at online and mobile casinos is to dive into the live casino version of the game. Take a seat at a virtual table where a real dealer will guide you through the game as you take on your fellow players. All filmed via HD cameras so you never miss a moment of the fun, live casinos are a great way to experience baccarat without ever having to leave the comfort of your home.

If you're keen to try live baccarat for yourself, visit PlayOJO Casino, Videoslots Casino or any one of our GamblersPick Select recommended sites. You can't go wrong when playing at a GamblersPick Select online casino!