Baccarat was originally derived from the European games Chemin De Fer and Punto Banco, but is traced back as far as 1490 when the Italian baccarat was introduced in France. It because the preferred game of French nobles during King Charles VIII’s reign and was first brought to Vegas in 1959, where it quickly became wildly popular.
Baccarat has a reputation of mystery and romance and is sometimes viewed by outsiders as a much more complex game than it really is; it is as simple as a bet on a coin flip. Despite the fact that baccarat is offered at most American casinos, many casino patrons have never tried it because they are intimidated by the game, especially since it is favored by high-rollers.
The often roped-off and seemingly elite Baccarat playing area in casinos doesn’t help either, though it is necessary as part of its luster. However, the truth is that Baccarat’s secrets aren’t really secret and can be easily mastered with a bit of training, just like any game. Today, Baccarat is also known around the world as punto banco and is especially popular among Asian gamblers, being extraordinarily prevalent in Macau.