The game of Baccarat is one of the most popular card games in casinos. It is played by seven to 14 players, seated in front of a dealer. Each player bets on either the Banker Hand, the Player Hand or a tie. Each hand is dealt two cards, and the winner is the hand whose total is closest to nine. Cards are worth their face value, with picture cards and tens counting as zero and aces as one. The game is usually dealt from a six or eight-deck shoe, and all of the cards must be dealt once before another round is begun.

Baccarat is a table game that has an aura of sophistication and high-roller mystique, but the house edge is quite low and playing it doesn’t require the large amounts of cash that would be required for blackjack or poker. In fact, the game may be perfect for a casual casino visitor looking to enjoy a little gambling without spending a fortune.

While most baccarat players can only articulate their strategies after the fact, there are some who have a clear advantage over others. One such player is a former blackjack counter who has spent the last 25 years playing the game at the most exclusive baccarat tables in the world. He is known as Francois and he has worked out a clear strategy that he refuses to reveal in full, even to his friends.

Francois is just one of many expert players who have developed a winning strategy for the game, and while the experts agree that the best way to beat the house is to place bets on the Banker, the odds are still very favorable. The payouts for a winning bet on the Player or Banker hands are 1:1, but when a wager is placed on a Tie, the payout is 95% of the stake, and this pays out even if neither of the other two hands produces a “natural” (as long as it’s not 8). Score sheets are available to help you keep track of your totals, and many live baccarat tables also feature these handy tools.

While the game originated in Italy, it quickly became popular among the nobility and wealthy of France, where the game was dubbed “Baccarat” in honor of King Charles VIII. The game spread throughout Europe and eventually made its way to Asia, where it continues to remain a popular pastime. Today, baccarat is a widely popular card game, with its own unique rules and etiquette. It’s no wonder that it has become a favorite game for high rollers, and is featured in several of James Bond’s most memorable films, including Dr. No; Thunderball; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; For Your Eyes Only and GoldenEye. Baccarat is a fun and simple game, and with some practice you can be a pro in no time. So whether you are an aficionado of the game or just curious about it, check out these baccarat tips for beginners and start winning!