Baccarat is a table game with few complexities that can be played for large stakes. It is commonly found in the high-roller rooms of European and Nevada casinos. The objective of the game is to wager on which hand will come closest to nine. Players can bet on either the Player, Banker or Tie. The Banker bet has a lower house edge than the Player bet, which can make it a profitable option for intelligent players. The tie bet, however, has a 14.1 percent house edge in favor of the casino. Regardless, it is still a popular choice for players looking to enjoy the slow pace and ritual of this unique casino table game.
The gilded glassware made by Baccarat in the 19th Century was spectacularly intricate. These pieces were often modeled after fine porcelain and were highly prized by collectors. They were also used as part of lavish tablescapes at royal and aristocratic celebrations. The success of the company’s glassware grew when it was displayed at major exhibitions, including the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris.
During this period, the company was founded by the merchant Aime-Gabriel d’Artigues and became known as the Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat. Baccarat’s reputation grew throughout the 19th Century when it won numerous awards for its glassware at exhibitions. It was at this time that King Louis-Philippe and Emperor Napoleon III became important customers.
The glassmakers at Baccarat used a variety of raw materials, such as soda ash, limestone, and copper. They heated these ingredients in large furnaces, which could reach temperatures of 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. The molten glass was then blown or pulled into various shapes and then decorated. During this process, it was often gilded or applied with gold powder that was fused to the surface of the glass.
Once the glass was formed, it was cooled down and then polished. After that, it was ready to be sold. Baccarat would often display its wares at international exhibitions, where it would win acclaim and commissions from royalty and aristocrats. The firm also created opulent lighting fixtures for palaces and great houses, including the Dolmbahce Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. The firm’s successes at these exhibitions would lead to its expansion abroad. In addition to bringing new customers from Eastern Europe, it earned admirers in Ottoman Turkey and Portugal.