Baccarat is that enigmatic card game you see in movies, where high rollers play in opulent casinos. It exudes sophistication and mystique, but the truth is that it’s an easy to learn casino game that is a lot of fun.

In baccarat, the dealer passes out two cards to each of the gaming positions. The cards are not visible to the players, but you can place bets on either a player hand winning, the banker’s hand winning, or a tie.

The game is played with a shoe that holds 8 or more cards, and the decks are shuffled before each round. The banker and the player have a fixed amount to bet on, but players can make other side bets as well. These bets pay out one for one if you win, or more on a tie, but they come with higher house edges.

When you’re ready to start playing, it’s best to decide how much you want to spend in advance and stick with it. This will help you avoid getting too carried away and keep your Baccarat experience enjoyable. You can also set a win limit, and once you reach it, cash out and walk away. Keeping track of past player and banker wins or losses can also help you adjust your betting strategy, but it’s important to remember that past results have no bearing on the outcome of any future hand.

As a general rule, the Player and Banker hands should be as close to nine as possible. If you can’t determine which hand will be closest to 9 in a given situation, bet on the hand that you think will have the lowest value. This is the safer bet, and it usually pays out 1:1. However, you should note that the banker has a 5% commission on all winning Banker bets.

Once the players and the banker have both placed their bets, it’s time for the dealer to draw the cards. The first card is dealt to the player, and if it has a value of 8 or 9, the player must stand. If the first card is a 6 or 7, the player must draw a third card. This is called a “natural,” and it allows the player to beat the banker’s hand.

The other cards in the game are worth their face value, except for aces, which have a value of one. The banker’s and the player’s hands are then compared to determine which has the highest total value. The winner of the hand is the hand that is closest to 9.

Baccarat has a number of different side bets, but they’re generally not very profitable. These side bets vary from casino to casino, and they may not be offered on all tables. In addition, some casinos will charge a commission on some side bets, making them even less lucrative. To avoid these unnecessary fees, you should always check the rules of the specific table before placing your bets.