The History of Baccarat: When & Where Was It Invented?

It is hard for us to pinpoint the exact origins of Baccarat as the answer to “where did Baccarat originate from?” isn't quite straightforward. Historians trace Baccarat to 1400s Rome in Italy. The game is credited to Felix Falguiere, who named the game “Baccara” the Italian word for zero. This is a reference to a rule in the game that ascribes zero value to 10s, jacks, kings, and queens. After Italy, the game was adopted in France, where the name was changed to “Baccarat” based on the French pronunciation of the word “Baccara.”

When Baccarat was introduced to the French, it quickly became the favorite game of King Charles VII. Baccarat fever overtook the nobility and aristocrats in France and it became a pastime of the elites. Baccarat was gradually introduced to casinos over the centuries and slowly stopped being a game for the rich and famous as it was available at casinos. Chemin De Fer, a popular version of Baccarat, was created in France in the 19th century. This version quickly became more popular than the original in France because of its quick play.

The three most popular versions of the game are Punto Banco, Chemin De Fer, and Baccarat Banque. Each version evolved over time and incorporated various rules that had different advantages and drawbacks. The house edge on each variant is also different, which ensures that the gameplay is exciting and rewarding. We have Rome, Italy, and France to thank for the origination and spread of this beautiful game.