Baccarat is one of those games that exudes refinement, conjuring images of men in tuxedos and women in posh evening gowns laying down chips while a dealer distributes cards. While baccarat has a reputation of being an elite game reserved for high-rollers in opulent casinos, it’s actually a simple card game that anyone can play and enjoy.

Unlike other casino table games, in which players place bets on the outcome of the hand, baccarat requires you to place your bets before the cards are dealt. You can bet on either the Player, the Banker or the Tie. The winner is the side that gets closest to nine points. A tie occurs when the Player and Banker have the same total points. When this happens, bets on the Player and Banker are returned (no one wins or loses) and bets on the Tie are paid.

The game is played with eight or six 52-card packs that are shuffled together and distributed by the croupier (dealer) from a dealing shoe. Each player and the banker receive two cards each. A player’s total is determined by adding up all of the cards and subtracting 10 to get the digit closest to nine. Cards are worth their face value, aces are worth 1 point, and 2s through 9s have their numerical values. When the totals in a player’s hand cross 9 or enter double-digits, he or she must stand on the result.

If the Banker has a higher total than the Player, he or she wins the hand. If the Banker has a lower total than the Player, he or she must hit. If the Banker has a 9 or 8 in his or her hand, the hand is a WIN. If the Banker has a 7 or 6, the hand is a TIE.

During the G2E 2019 convention, AGS introduced a second-generation progressive jackpot system that can link all table games in a casino to offer a single shared jackpot. This is a first for the company and represents a significant step forward in enhancing the gaming experience for players at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and its Macau properties.

There are a few interesting side bets you can make on baccarat beyond betting on a Player, Banker or Tie. These bets must be placed before the deal and their odds vary by establishment and platform. For example, some sites offer a Player Pair bet that wagers that the player will receive identical cards on the deal. This pays at 11:1 odds. Another popular side bet is a Banker Pair bet, which wagers that the banker will receive a pair on the deal. This bet also pays at 5:1 odds. These bets are available at some online casinos and land-based establishments. Others offer them only in some jurisdictions or for specific events and competitions. Check with your favorite online or land-based casino to see what is available.