Eventually, baccarat evolved into European baccarat and the French game chemin de fer (French for "railroad"). Each game gives the bank one slight rule variation that makes the game an even proposition for the casino and for the players. Chemin de fer is essentially the same game as today's casino game of baccarat, but one of the players banks the game, rather than the casino. The "banker" denotation rotates around the table. The casino takes no risk and merely charges a fee from each banker.

What is known as American baccarat actually originated in England and spread to South America. It was introduced into Las Vegas at the infamous Dunes casino in the late 1950s after the Cuban government closed the Havana casinos.

Because it is so elegantly appointed, with marble, chandeliers, plush chairs and more, you might think that baccarat is still the game of the aristocracy. You'd be right. Many of the world's highest rollers make it their game of choice. Stories abound about rich men-and women-who bet millions of dollars during one session. Casino revenues on the Las Vegas Strip rise and fall precipitously according to the casinos' fortunes at the baccarat tables.

Since the middle ages baccarat has been considered the game of the rich. When it was introduced into Las Vegas, casino managers tried to maintain that aura, and succeeded beyond their wildest imaginations. High rollers from around the world today visit Las Vegas to experience the game in its most luxurious settings.

Other casinos saw the success with the high rollers and tried to interest the rank-and-file gambler in the game in order to expand its appeal (and to make more profits, of course). In order to put it within reach of most gamblers, mini-baccarat was invented. It is essentially the same as the big game, but played at a blackjack-sized table. It's the generic version of the game, with all the accouterments stripped away.

Like blackjack, it seats seven players. Each player has three spots, the Banker, Player and Tie bets. The game is conducted by a single dealer. The players do not handle the cards in mini-baccarat. The dealer draws the cards according to the same rules as the big game. Winning Banker bets are charged the same five percent commission and the house advantage is the same, as well.

The only difference between the two styles of baccarat is the speed of the game. At the large game, only two, maybe three, hands can be dealt per minute. At mini-baccarat, five, sometimes six, hands can be dealt per minute. As the tempo of the game increases, the house gets more shots at your money. Even though the house edge doesn't change, if there are more decisions per hour, you're going to lose at a faster pace. But since the minimums are lower, you'll lose less than at the larger table.

Mini baccarat is a good way to learn how to play baccarat without losing more than you'd like. It's also a good game for anyone who wants to play a simple game that requires no playing strategy.

But bear in mind that for all the similarities with the big game, mini baccarat is not baccarat. The trappings, elegance and appeal of the big game is worth spending the extra time and investing the money. You'll get attention normally reserved for the high rollers, and feel like one, as well.