Baccarat is a casino game that requires very little technical skill, but is still played for big money in the high-roller sections of many casinos. It is a game of chance, and the only bets you can make are on Bank or Player, and a Tie. It is important to understand the game’s rules, and some tips are helpful for new players.
The game is played on a large table, with seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer area. The cards are dealt from a six or eight-deck shoe, and two hands of cards are dealt: the Player’s hand, and the Banker’s hand. The player and banker then place their wagers on which hand will win the round. A winning hand is one that gets as close to nine as possible, without going over. Aces are worth one point, and picture cards and tens are zero points. The dealer then burns the cards that do not total a winning hand, and the resulting pile is placed in a discard bowl.
A great deal of Baccarat glassware is engraved. This can be done by carving the pattern into the glass, or by acid engraving. Acid engraving involves covering the surface of the glass in bitumen, a tough tar-like material that shows the negative of the intended design, and cutting at it with acid. The result is an elegant, timeless look that is the hallmark of Baccarat.
Although the 19th Century saw Baccarat expand its workshop and introduce new designs to meet demand, the firm’s finest work – including the masterpieces that are displayed in the company’s museum – was produced in the 1870s and early 1880s. This period was marked by the emergence of a number of new trends in art, including modernism, which Baccarat responded to with its own brand of avant-garde design.
Today, Baccarat continues to produce luxury glassware. The company’s website states that its 21st Century pieces are shaped by a dialogue between heritage and modernity. This is a testament to the fact that Baccarat’s designs are so elegant and timeless that they have been able to transcend the shifting fashions of the times.
Baccarat is also the glassware of choice for James Bond, and has been featured in several filmed versions of the iconic character. This includes the 1954 TV adaptation of Casino Royal, where Bond plays a game of baccarat against Le Chiffre; the 1967 version of Casino Royal, where the game is played in more detail than any other in a Bond film; and Thunderball and GoldenEye, both from 1971. It is also used in a number of the 007 novels by Ian Fleming, and can be seen in the sets for On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Dr No, and For Your Eyes Only. The game is also a regular feature in the Bond films starring Daniel Craig. This has made the game even more popular, and baccarat tables are now available at most high-end casinos.