Baccarat (pronounced bah-koh) is one of the most popular casino games in the world. Despite its serious, elegant appearance, it’s actually fairly simple to play and offers one of the lowest house edges in any casino game. Many players are intimidated by the game’s upscale look and slow pace, but those that take the time to learn the rules can make significant bankroll gains. Baccarat is often played on a full table in high-roller rooms, but it’s also available in mini-baccarat tables for lower minimum bets.
The history of Baccarat goes back as far as the mid-18th Century, when Bishop Louis-Joseph de Laval-Montmorency sought to found a prestigious artistic workshop in his diocese. The firm was originally known as the “Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat” and produced windows, mirrors and a variety of tableware. The company’s first golden moment came in 1855, when it won the gold medal at Paris’ Exposition Universelle for a pair of monumental crystal candelabra.
This led to a long run of French monarchs, Emperors and heads of state commissioning glassware from the firm. One of Baccarat’s most famous designs from this period is the 1867 ‘Jusivy’ table service, which was designed for the Exposition Universelle and later transferred to the Elysee Palace in Paris. Baccarat also produced a line of milky, opaline glass vases that resembled fine porcelain and were prized by Victorian collectors.
In addition to its tableware, Baccarat also produced a number of iconic lighting fixtures for exhibitions and palaces. The most famous example is the ‘candelabra du Tsar’, a two-piece set that was ordered by Nicholas II of Russia in the late 19th Century. The piece was never actually delivered to the Tsar because of World War I and the Russian Revolution, but it is still on display at the Baccarat Museum in Paris.
Another of Baccarat’s most famous pieces is the ‘Harcourt’ glass. Designed in 1841, the thick, short-stemmed glasses are prized for their prismatic lustre, which allows them to reflect a wide range of colors depending on the position and angle at which they are viewed. Baccarat produced thousands of these glasses, which were commissioned by monarchs and imperial courts around the globe.
It wasn’t until 1860 that Baccarat began to trademark its product, but even then it took the form of paper labels attached to each piece. It’s only since the 1930s that Baccarat has opted for etching its logo on each piece, and the scripted mark remains a staple of modern baccarat pieces. Baccarat’s trademarked mark is now a globally recognized symbol of luxury and prestige. Today, Baccarat is still producing some of the finest crystal and glassware in the world. The company’s iconic pieces, including its dazzling lighting fixtures, are now prized by collectors the world over.
