Baccarat : Baccarat hand in hand with James Bond

Have you ever heard of Chemin de Fer? It is the word that Ian Fleming uses in his books and films instead of baccarat. It is something that James bond is known for other than beautiful women and great cars.

In the first novel of the James Bond series called Casino Royale, the story follows a baccarat game between James Bond and Le Chiffre, an operative at a luxurious casino in France. The 1953 novel describes Bond’s feelings towards gambling. Apparently he loved the quiet figures and the mood around the game table.” He was amused by the impartiality of the roulette ball and of the playing cards and their eternal bias."

The novel describes baccarat as a stylish game which might be a little far from the truth. The mood is similar though: big comfortable arm chairs and refined whiskey. All the players at a baccarat table are high class people.

Baccarat has always been associated with the high class since it first appeared in Italy more than 500 years ago. It later on arrived in France. Nowadays it is played by people worldwide and it has specific rules for each region. For instance there are big differences between the European version and the one played in Vegas.

This is a very easy game to follow. You play against a dealer. You are both dealt two cards. You bet on one of the hands. The one with the highest card wins. In America people play against the house and in France players compete against each others.

The novel takes place in France and James Bond (a baccarat master) has to defeat Monsieur Le Chiffre, the SMERSH worker. Bond’s goal is to leave his opponent cashless and forces him to commit suicide. After hours of playing James Bond wins and reaches his goal. All of this happens after Bond is deceived by his double agent Vesper Lynd. He is captured by SMERSH, held captive and tortured by SMERSH.

The release of the new James Bond movie will bring some changes to its history. Pierce Brosnan will be replaced with Daniel Craig and baccarat will be changed with the popular Texas Holdem game.