Numerous countries have claimed the origination of the game. Each claim is backed up by several stories that are both interesting and riveting.
Baccarat’s History
Italy claimed that a certain Felix Falguierein invented the game in the Middle Ages. Tarot cards were used as cards for the game. The tarot cards originated from an ancient Etruscan myth of 9 gods that shows a virgin girl throwing a 9-sided dice. These cards are said to be the determining factors of her destiny. 8 and 9 results would make the girl into a priestess while getting 6 or 7 would ban her from religious rituals. Having results lesser than 6 would force the girl into the sea.
Fact
Regardless of the numerous stories about the game’s origins, it is a known fact that the game was frequently played in France during the 1500s. The game was solely played by nobility over a long period of time until it progressed into one of the most established wagering games.
The history of where the game originated is not that important whether it is from France or Italy because obviously this game is a very old one. Each country played the game differently when it comes to the rules of the game and through time, the game developed in a variety of ways.
Over the years, the game was known to have three versions- chiming de far, baccarat banquet, and punto banco. These three versions have identical rules with little variation on how the cards are being dealt.
Popularity
In the early stages of development, the game French version of the game or the chiming de far became very distinguished in England. This is when the players started revising the rules of the game. Rumor has it that the game then travelled to South Africa and soon it was dispersed all throughout the world and it was also that time when Tommy Renzoni finally introduced the popular game in the United States which later on had two versions in the casinos- punto banco and mini baccarat.
The slight variation of playing Baccarat in the U.S includes the dealer deals with the cards and the players will just bet on the three outcomes.
Lastly, the most recent development in the game’s history is the online aspect. Online casinos host the mini baccarat tables and using the standard American rules of the game. Online casinos also offer free play which can benefit new players when it comes to learning the game.