Baccarat has long been one of the world’s favorite casino games, but that wasn’t always the case. Relying heavily on luck, players often question whether the game is fair. Yet its popularity remains undiminished even during its turbulent history and numerous bans across various jurisdictions; in America alone it has become popular among high rollers who like placing large bets with long odds; one expert gambler I know points out that while paying 8-to-1 it ranks among one of the worst bets available at casinos yet many gamblers flock to its tables with promises of easy money despite needing considerable skillful play to ensure its success.
Baccarat involves two opposing sides – the player and banker. Both are dealt two cards from which to determine their hand’s value by adding up each value; if their total is closest to nine they win; otherwise only the last digit counts (six and eight would equal twelve). It was first played over 500 years ago in Italy but quickly spread throughout France where it became popularly known as Chemmy or Punto Banco with royalty enjoying this ancient pastime before finally reaching America during the 19th Century where it quickly became a beloved pastime among royalty, celebrities, and wealthy Americans alike.
Baccarat comes in many variants, yet all share similar elements. Each variation allows between seven to 14 seats for players on an oval-shaped table that features space for the croupier. Six decks of cards are used and shuffled before dealing. A croupier then distributes cards randomly between players and banker at random before discarding cards to the center of the table where results of each round can be announced by him/herself.
Players place bets on either the player, banker, or tie. When winning is achieved by bankers they receive a commission which helps reduce the house edge by approximately 0.05%; card counting techniques as well as edge sorting can further help decrease it further.
From sticky-floor California card rooms to the elegant casinos of Monaco, baccarat has long been played by every type of player. No surprise then that baccarat has made appearances in numerous James Bond movies including the 1954 adaptation of Dr. No; Thunderball featuring one of the most elaborate baccarat scenes ever seen on film; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; and For Your Eyes Only; with none better representing its spirit than Sean Connery who first brought baccarat onto screen in his debut performance as Bond in Dr. No in 1954!