Baccarat is a card game that has taken the casino world by storm thanks to its low house edge and straightforward play. It’s easy to find a game online and it’s also available in many top mobile casinos.

Players bet on either the Player hand, the Banker hand, or a tie. The goal is to predict whose hand total will come closest to 9. Depending on the bet, you can win up to 9:1 on your stake. The game is played on a table with from seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer area. The cards are dealt face up, visible to everyone at the table. Picture cards and Tens are worth zero points, while Aces count as one. If the two hands deal a total that’s above nine, you must drop the first digit to get its true value.

The banker deals two cards to himself and the bettors, and then compares their totals to determine the winner. If the banker and bettors have hands of 8 or 9, this is a ‘natural’ and the hand with the highest total wins. If the hands are a tie, additional cards may be drawn to decide the winner.

A third card is only drawn if the player or banker has an opening total of 6 or less. Otherwise, the hand stands pat. In addition, if the banker has an opening total of 8, a third card will be drawn unless the player’s hand is equal to that amount. A third card can also be drawn if the player has a total of 7 and the banker’s is equal to that amount.

As with any card game, it’s important to know your bankroll before you begin playing baccarat. This includes your budget, betting unit, and playing time. You should only bet as long as you have money in your betting unit and should never bet more than 2% of your bankroll. Ideally, you should only play for 20 minutes at a time to avoid burning out and getting frustrated.

Baccarat is played all over the world, from sticky-floor California card rooms to tuxedo-laden casinos in Monaco. The game is so popular that it was even featured in a few James Bond films, including Dr. No; Thunderball; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; and For Your Eyes Only.

Baccarat is an ideal casino game for beginners because it is simple and requires no special skills to learn. It’s also a great choice for players who want to try out the game without risking much money. If you’re new to the game, it’s important to know the rules and payouts before you start playing. You can also read our Baccarat Basics guide to learn everything you need to know about the game. From the basics of gameplay to the different versions of the game, this guide is sure to help you get started with baccarat.