Baccarat, or Punto Banco as it’s known in the United States, is one of the most popular casino games in Asia. It’s a simple game to play, requiring no technical skill and a low house edge. But for many American gamblers, baccarat is still a mystery. While it’s often tucked away in the high-roller rooms of casinos, this game has taken center stage in recent years thanks to rising interest from Asian gamblers.
Baccarat is an elegant and slow-moving card game that’s played on a large table in the high roller rooms of casinos. Players bet on either the player or bank hand, and a third party deals the cards. The goal of the game is to correctly predict which hand will come closest to nine. Players who wager on a winning player hand qualify for a 1:1 payout, while those who bet on the bank pay a 5% commission. The Tie bet, however, has a 14.1 percent edge in favor of the casino and should never be made by intelligent players.
The game’s origin dates back to the mid-19th century, when a factory founded by a Catholic bishop opened in France. While the factory’s early production focused on windows and mirrors, it soon became renowned for its glassware, and grew to produce more elaborate designs as the 19th Century rolled around. The company’s strong showing at the Great Exhibitions of the period – including the 1867 Paris Exposition Universelle, where it displayed a monumental glass fountain – brought it additional business and customers from around the world.
In addition to its decorative style, Baccarat is known for its innovative techniques. While most of its competitors relied on cast metal to create their products, Baccarat was able to produce glass pieces that were lighter and more delicate than those produced by its competitions. This was largely due to its use of the borosilicate glass, which is created by heating raw materials in furnaces that reach temperatures of 1500 degrees Celsius. The resulting molten glass is then blown or pulled into shape and allowed to cool before being decorated. Baccarat’s trademarks are etched into its glass, rather than being applied as paper labels. The company would continue to use its trademark in this fashion until 1860, when it began using a scripted mark on its pieces.
Baccarat pieces are decorated in a variety of ways, from simple engravings to complex paintings and scenes. Some of the most famous Baccarat pieces are decorated in a geometric style that was developed by the firm’s French designers, while others feature floral designs, animals, and other themes. Baccarat’s pieces are also characterized by their use of color and light. Some are gilded or coated with gold powder that is fused to the surface of the glass. The final product is then cured and polished in order to give it its distinctive shine and luster. The resulting crystal is then sold to customers, who can purchase it in pieces or by the kilogram.