Baccarat is a very simple yet enjoyable game. In fact baccarat is considered to be very popular in Europe.

The word baccarat comes from the Italian word baccara meaning zero. People familiar with the game know that the 2nd digit of the sum of the cards is discarded and the face cards (Kings, Queens, and Jacks) have 0 values. Hence the name Baccara from Italy was used. In fact outside of North America, baccarat gambling is still called baccara.

Baccarat gambling historians persist that the game originated from Italy because of the word baccara. But they have no facts or historical records to prove baccarat gambling started in Italy. The historical records of baccarat that are reliable at present only date back to the mid-nineteenth century.

Despite baccarat gambling`s mysterious history that has lots of variations. One thing for sure is that the variations of baccarat gambling throughout history have influenced the way baccarat is played.

Historical records of Baccarat gambling in the middle ages started during 1490. During this time, baccarat gambling used Tarot cards. Baccarat gambling became popular very quickly even during the middle ages.

The current game of baccarat played is thought to be a spin-off of the French game Vingt-et-un. The name of the game sounds like it was played by cavemen. But the French game of Vingt-et-un is actually Blackjack.

As time went on, baccarat gambling evolved into two variations. The two variations are the French Version called Chemin de Fer and the European Baccarat also called Baccarat Punto.

Both games` rules are similar. The only major difference is the role of the banker. In European baccarat gambling the house plays the role of the banker. In French baccarat gambling one of the players will be the banker. In French baccarat gambling the role of banker is rotated.

The current and most popular variation of baccarat gambling originated in England. The game of baccarat gambling reached America through the British colonizers who went to Southern America.

The game became very popular in Cuban resorts that were frequented by Americans until the 1950`s. During the late 1950`s the Cuban government shut down these casinos. But good things never come to an end.

So when the game was shut down in Cuba, it was brought to the United States at the Dunes casino in Las Vegas.