Baccarat is one of the most popular table games in casinos around the world. It is a simple card game that offers players the chance to win large sums of money. There are several different bets that can be placed, and the best ones pay out high odds. Baccarat is often associated with high-rollers and Asian gamblers, but the game can be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in gambling.

The goal of the game is to bet on either the Player Hand, Banker’s Hand or a Tie. Once the bets are placed, the dealer hands each hand two cards. The hand that gets closest to 9 wins the game. The ace card is worth 1 point, while the picture cards and the number cards from 2-9 are worth their face value. When adding up the points in a hand, drop the first digit when calculating the total.

Unlike other casino table games, baccarat has only three possible outcomes: a player win, a banker win or a tie. It is played on a big table in high-roller rooms with a minimum bet of $25 or more. It is a slow-moving game with rituals and a ceremonial dealer, and many players have a fascination with it because of its glamour and James Bond associations.

It is also easy to play baccarat online. There are several sites that offer baccarat with no commission, making it easier to make banker bets. However, this option comes with a higher house edge. If you want to increase your chances of winning, consider betting on the player hand every time.

If you’re a beginner to baccarat, you might find it helpful to learn the rules of the game before playing. The game is played with 8 decks of cards. The aces and the picture cards have a value of zero, while the numbers from 2 to 9 have their face values. The game is very similar to the French card game chemin de fer.

In addition to the Player and Banker bets, there is a Tie bet that pays out 8-to-1. There are also sheets on the table where players can keep track of their score.

The Banker bet has a 1.36 percent house edge and a standard payout of 1:1. The Player bet has a lower house edge of 1.24%, but there is a five-percent commission on winning bets. Tie bets have a much higher house edge of 14.1 percent. Consequently, most intelligent players avoid placing a Tie bet.