Until recently, only highest class casinos offered baccarat, and only their richest clients could afford table minimums. No wonder name conjours up an image of glamour and expensive cigars, diamonds and vintage cognac!

The good news is that you no longer have to be a multi-millionaire to savor excitement of baccarat - with online casinos you can play online baccarat game anytime, anywhere!

Baccarat has fascinated high-class gamblers for centuries. The game was said to have been invented in Italy by Felix Falguierein, a professional gambler, although some dispute this, saying that it is French in origin. In any case, baccarat was introduced to French court in 15th century, and soon became game of aristocracy. The name is taken from Italian word "baccara", meaning zero, and refers to game rule that all court cards have a value of zero. Baccarat was first played with tarot cards, and there is a legend linking it with ancient Etruscan ritual of Nine Gods.

Chemin de Fer, a variation of baccarat, also became popular in France. The original baccarat game evolved into what is now known as European Baccarat. The principles of play are same in baccarat and chemin de fer, with just a slight difference in rules. In both games, object is to score as close as possible to 9 by adding up face values of cards, and discarding leftmost digit of answer. In baccarat, rules are more formal, and game is always banked by casino, although deal passes from player to player. Players may choose to bet on player, banker or on a tie. Since a tie doesn't happen very often, ties win at much longer odds.

Tea parties span generations and will be enjoyed by your most sophisticated women friends or all giggling little girls of your acquaintance.

What makes an elegant tea party? Look at these factors.

Flowers Plan to hold your tea party when your garden is in its fullest bloom -- perhaps it's lilac time, June roses, or peony season. Be sure to cut some of blooms for tea table vases. If you don't have a garden, buy an armful of flowers at a farmers' market or stop by a country ditch and pick bunches of wild daisies and Queen Anne's lace.

Invitations Send handwritten notes by snail mail. Your guests will recognize your party as an elegant affair and dress accordingly! Typically, tea is held around 4 p.m. -- perfect for day-blooming flowers. Include an invitation for little ones to bring along a doll or teddy friend.

Table Setting The more elegant, better. Stash paper table covering and plastic glasses just for today. Instead, use a crisp linen tablecloth, pressed cloth napkins and your best bone china cups and saucers. If it's a little girls' party, you might want to invest in two or three miniature tea sets.

Try to have adequate seating for everyone. Consider setting your straight-back indoor dining chairs outdoors. They can add an elegant touch, whether left unadorned or covered with flowered chintz.