Baccarat is the biggest card game in the world, and it’s been around for hundreds of years. From its humble beginnings in Italian gambling salons to the opulent casinos of Macau and Singapore, it’s an intriguing game that attracts a wide range of gamblers. The rules of baccarat are simple, and the house edge is relatively low. But there’s more to the game than meets the eye, and knowing how to play baccarat will help you make the best decisions on the table.

In a nutshell, the object of the game is to bet on which hand will come closest to nine. The winning hand is the one that has a final digit closest to nine when all of the pips (the dots on the cards that are clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades) are added up. Ten value cards count as zero, and aces are worth one point. If the total is higher than nine, the first digit must be dropped, so a seven and six would equal 15, for example. Baccarat is a fairly simple game to learn, and a score sheet is usually provided at the tables to keep track of your progress.

When playing baccarat, you can bet on either the Player or Banker hands, or on a tie. You can also choose to add a Super Six bet for even bigger payouts. A 5% commission is taken on the winning Banker bet, but players who correctly predict a winner will receive 95% of their stake. Winning Player bets are paid out at 1 to 1, and a winning Tie bet pays 8-to-1.

The game is played on a large circular table with six decks of cards shuffled together. The croupier deals the cards and the players sit in a random order around the table, with play starting to the right of the dealer. After the croupier deals two cards to each box, a third card may be drawn on either hand, or both hands, if they total 8 or 9. A natural win means no more cards are to be dealt, and any placed bets are paid out.

Although baccarat has long been associated with high rollers and luxury, the game is now accessible to players on any casino floor. It is a staple at Asian casinos, where it has become the highest-grossing casino game. It’s also found in upscale Las Vegas casinos, although minimum bets are typically higher than on a blackjack table.

Baccarat is a very popular game worldwide, and online sites offer a variety of different betting options, including games with variable odds and progressive bets that increase your chance of winning. In addition, some sites have a live dealer who can interact with players in real time. Regardless of the type of game you prefer, you’ll find that baccarat is a great way to relax and have fun.