Baccarat Fun Facts & Trivia

Baccarat is a famous game that has been most publicised in films like James Bond, and while you may know how to play the game, there are a few fun facts and some interesting trivia that you may not be aware of:

1. Baccarat was invented by Italian gambler Felix Falguiere during the middle-ages.
2. Falguiere originally played the game with Tarot Cards.
3. Historical references indicate that the first forms of Baccarat were introduced to France by Italy during the reign of Charles VIII of France(ruled 1483-1498).
4. Three accepted variations of the game exist namely: Chemin de fer (railway), baccarat banque (or a deux tableaux), and punto banco (or North American baccarat).
5. The game of Chemin de fer was first played in the United States at the racetrack at Saratoga and the Palm Beach resort in 1911.
6. Baccarat was introduced to Vegas in 1959 at the Sands, who lost $250,000 on the tables that night.
7. More than 70% of high rollers visiting Baccarat tables in Las Vegas gaming are Asian, mostly employed as industrialists or bankers.
8. Baccarat is named after the worst hand, a zero, rather than a winning combination or other.
9. The main plot of 007's Casino Royale is centred around the Baccarat Table.
10. In Rush Hour 3, Chris Tucker's character mistakes Baccarat in a Paris Casino for Blackjack.