If you’ve ever been to a sticky-floor California card room or the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, odds are you’ve seen baccarat being played. This glamorous card game is a staple at most high roller tables and has gained popularity across the globe. But how did baccarat make it to its current status as the top choice of high-rollers around the world? And when was it invented?

The first recorded appearance of baccarat was in Italy. It was part of a larger group of tarot-like games known as tarocchi. These games had the number nine at their core – a theme which is still present in the rules of modern baccarat. The number nine is linked to the ancient Roman vestal virgin test in which women would roll dice and if they rolled higher numbers such as eight or nine, it meant they would survive to become a high priestess.

In 19th century France, baccarat became popular among the aristocracy and nobility as it was a social activity for them to enjoy. They would play it with a minimum wager of one thousand francs and it quickly caught on in Europe. Francis “Tommy” Renzoni is credited with bringing it to the United States in the 1950s where it became a hit. It was also brought to Hollywood where it received some of the media attention it continues to receive today, thanks in no small part to Sean Connery playing the game in the 1964 film A Hard Day’s Night and again in 1967’s Casino Royal.

Though baccarat has never become a mass-market casino game in the US, it has become the card game of choice for Asian high rollers. In fact, it is one of the most popular casino games in Asia and is growing rapidly in popularity throughout the world. Baccarat is a card game where the goal is to win by betting on a player or banker to get a total closer to 9. Unlike most card games, there is no Tie bet. If a player’s hand totals 9 or 8, it is called a ‘natural’ and no third card can be drawn.

When the baccarat table is set up in a casino, it is often in an alcove away from the crowd and other gambling games. This is because the game is generally played for high stakes and is a very low skill game. The baccarat table is usually lined with oblong chips rather than the cash wagers used in other casino games such as roulette and the slots.

Though it may seem like a game of mystery and superstition, baccarat is actually a very simple card game. While the game’s history is a little unclear, it is clear that it has evolved with time and will continue to grow in popularity around the world. It is a great way to enjoy the thrill of winning big in a game that doesn’t require much skill. It’s a game of elegance and luxury – and who wouldn’t want to try their hand at it?