Baccarat is a card game that’s played by millions of people around the world. It is often tucked away in high-limit gambling areas and enjoyed by wealthy players. It’s easy to learn and play, with Players betting on either the Player or Banker hand. The goal is to predict which hand will be closest to nine points in total. This is achieved by analyzing the first two cards and applying a system of counting that differs from ordinary card games.

Before the deal, Players place their bets in one of three betting boxes on the table. They can bet on the Player, the Banker, or a tie. The Dealer deals the cards and a hand is declared once both sides have finished. In case of a tie, the Player or the Banker wins, depending on which side has the best hand total. The game also features a third-card rule that dictates when each side may or not draw a third card, and neither hand can receive more than three cards.

Once the Player and the Banker have both received two cards, the dealer checks their total value. If either hand has a total of eight or nine, the game is over and it’s either a winner or a tie. If the first two cards are a seven and a six, for example, the value is 23. But the first digit is dropped, so the total is 23 – 3 = 3.

If the Player has a lower total than the Banker’s, it wins. If the first two cards are a five and a four, for example, the total is 15 – 5 = 10. The Banker will stand on its initial total of 15 or higher. The dealer then places the bets, collects any lost bets, and pays winning bets. The dealer also collects a 5% commission on the Banker’s winning bets, tracked in a designated box.

Unlike other casino card games, the house edge on a bet on the Player or the Banker in Baccarat is relatively low. This is thanks to the fact that tens and face cards count as zero, while aces count as one. This makes the game well suited for strategies like the Paroli, which involves increasing your bet after each win and reducing it after each loss. The D’Alembert betting system is another popular way to balance losses and wins.

Baccarat is a game of chance, so it’s important not to fall into the trap of believing in patterns or streaks. Each hand is independent, so past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Keeping this in mind can help you avoid making costly mistakes, such as over-betting on winning hands or playing conservatively when losing.

A good practice method is to play for free on a reputable online casino. This will allow you to test out different strategies and develop a solid game plan. A good baccarat strategy includes avoiding the Tie bet, which has a 14.1 percent edge in favor of the casino, and focusing on the Player and Banker bets.