Are you planning a gaming vacation to a Nevada or Atlantic City hotel or resort soon? It may be fun to know a little bit about the casino games you’ll be enjoying during your stay. A casino game is defined as an activity where the participant gambles a sum of money on an expected outcome or probable choice. These games are categorized into three different types: table games, electronic machines, and random numbers. Here’s the scoop on some of the most popular ones.
— Baccarat is a card and dice table game with origins believed to date clear back to the Middle Ages. According to legend, a virgin would throw a nine-sided die under the watchful eyes of the gods in order to determine her own destiny. If she threw an 8 or a 9, she could become a priestess; if she threw a six or seven, she would be prohibited from having a religion-based life; if she got a number of 5 or lower, she would be condemned to commit suicide by slowly walking into the sea.
The name Baccarat comes from the Italian word for “zero.” If you are a fan of the game, you’ll readily understand the significance of its name.
— Craps is another popular table game, but here the dice are the only star. Although dice games have been around since centuries before the birth of Christ, it is believed that Craps itself may have been developed during the time of the Holy Roman Empire. According to legend, Roman legionnaires made crude dice out of the knucklebones of pigs, rolled them on the concave side of a shield, and bet on the outcome of the roll.
In modern day America, Craps is popular partly because it can be played most anywhere and requires very little specialized equipment. The United States is credited with refining the rules of Craps and creating the game that is used in casinos.
— Compared to its ancient table-top cousins, slot machines are definitely the new kids on the block. They were invented in 1895 by Charles Fey and the novelty gambling items were an instant hit and their popularity spread like wild fire.
The first machines were located in Cigar Shops and bars: their payload was not money, but rather, patrons who successfully hit winning combinations received a “jackpot” of candy and free cigarettes. During periods of gambling prohibition in America, heavy cast iron slot machines were cast into rivers as part of the rabid anti-gaming trend. In the 1960’s, the introduction of electronics into the production of modern slot machines revolutionized the game, and its popularity soared once again. After all, slots are really fun!
Baccarat, Craps, and Slots are just a fraction of the types of games enjoyed by millions in casinos nationwide each year. Good luck!