Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino table games. It’s the enigmatic card game that you see high-rollers play in opulent casinos and it exudes refinement and class. Despite its reputation for being a high-stakes game, it’s actually quite simple to learn and can be played by players of all skill levels.

The game begins when players place bets on either the Player hand, the Banker hand or a Tie bet. Once all bets are placed the dealer will deal two cards to each of the two gaming spaces (the player’s space and the banker’s space) on the baccarat table. The Player’s and Banker’s hands are tallied up and the winner is determined by whose hand has a total closest to nine.

There are some important rules to understand before you start playing baccarat. The most basic rule is that the Player must stand on a total of six or seven and draw a third card on a score of 0-5 or lower. The banker, on the other hand, must stand on a total of 6, 7 or 9 and draw a card only when either the player or the banker have a score of 6 or 7.

Aside from this basic rule, there are a few other important things to know. For starters, the game is played with 8 decks of cards. Aces are worth one point, while Tens and face cards have zero points. Numbered cards 2-9 retain their value.

In the early stages of baccarat, it was customary for the player to conceal their hand. The banker was then able to choose whether or not to ask for a third card and the decision tables reflect this. Today the player and banker both show their cards, so the decision tables still reflect a strategy that reflects the fact that the banker knows the player’s second card and only the player’s first card if asked for a third card.

When deciding on a bet, be sure to pick a winning hand. It’s best to bet on the banker, since this has an extremely low house edge and wins more often than the player hand. However, if you are not confident in your ability to predict the outcome of each hand, a tie bet is a safe and rewarding option with high payout odds.

As with any casino game, it’s important to enter the game with a plan and set limits. Determine how much you’re willing to lose and don’t exceed this amount. If you have a bad streak, walk away and come back another day. You may even want to try playing baccarat for free before you decide to make a real money deposit. By following these tips, you’ll be able to enjoy the game more and win big! Good luck!