Baccarat is a sophisticated casino game often associated with luxury and high-rollers. But you don’t need a huge bankroll to enjoy this popular card game. The house edge in baccarat is relatively low and you can control your losses by setting limits and playing short sessions. Baccarat is also a good choice for beginners because it’s easy to learn and understand.

The simplest way to play baccarat is by placing a bet on either the Player or Banker hand. Each round of baccarat starts with the dealer dealing two cards to both the Player and Banker. After the initial deal, the winning bet is determined by whichever hand totals closest to nine. A third card may be drawn for either the Player or Banker if neither hand has a score of eight or 9. If the hand is a tie, both bets are paid out, and a winning bet is paid out before a new round begins.

Many baccarat players use betting systems to maximize their chances of winning, but not all of these strategies are created equal. Some systems are more complex than others, but they all help to increase a player’s winnings over time. One example of a complicated baccarat betting strategy is the Labouchere System, which is based on a series of numbers. In this system, the player increases their bet size by a certain amount after each loss and then reverts to their original bet size when they win.

Another popular baccarat betting strategy is the 1-3-2-6 System, which increases your bet by a certain number after each round you win. This is a great strategy for managing your bankroll and increasing your winnings over time. Another important aspect of the 1-3-2-6 System is that it eliminates negative progression, which can lead to large losses.

When you’re ready to start playing baccarat, it’s important to have a budget in mind. This will help you avoid losing more than you can afford to lose and will keep you from getting sucked into the gambling black hole. Moreover, it will help you decide when to quit and come back to the table with a fresh perspective.

While the game has a reputation for being a high-roller’s game, it’s actually quite simple to play for anyone with a decent grasp of math and common sense. To get started, choose a game with a reasonable minimum bet (which varies by casino) and place your bets on the Player, Banker, or Tie.

After the croupier deals two cards to each side, the winning bet is determined by whose score is closest to nine. If the Player hand has a score of nine, it is considered a “natural” and no further cards are dealt. The same is true for the Banker hand, although a commission is sometimes paid if the winning Banker bet is placed with a higher than 9 value. The remaining bets are paid out before a new round begins.