Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games around and, despite its intimidating appearance, it’s one of the easiest to play. Unlike many other table games, it doesn’t require complicated rules or multiple betting rounds. Players place their bets on either the player hand, banker hand, or a tie. The objective is to win by picking the hand that will total closest to nine. The cards are dealt two at a time, and their values are determined by adding the individual cards and subtracting the tens digit. For example, an ace & six total 13 points, while 2 kings equal zero.

The game is played with a group of players sitting around a table, and the dealer passes out two cards to each player and the banker. The player and banker places their bets before the cards are dealt, which can be done in a counterclockwise order. Once all the bets are placed, the dealer will deal one card to the Player box and then another to the Banker box. If either the Banker or Player hand totals 8 or 9, this is called a “natural”, and your winning bet will be paid immediately.

A banker bet is the most common choice for beginners, as it offers the best odds of winning. However, you should be aware of the different payouts for each wager and the fact that a 5% commission is charged on winning banker bets. This is a small price to pay for the low house edge and the higher payout on the banker bet, which can make it a profitable choice.

During the course of a round, it’s important to keep track of how much you are winning and losing. This will help you determine how long to play and how much to bet. If you are on a losing streak, it’s recommended to stop and return later. Alternatively, if you’re on a winning streak, you can double your bet to increase your profits. However, it is crucial to remember that you should never bet more than you can afford to lose.

In addition to the player and banker bets, there are a number of other side bets that can be placed on the game. Depending on the establishment and platform, these bets can pay up to 11:1 odds. One popular bet is the player pair, which wagers that the player and the banker will receive matching cards on the deal. Another option is the banker pair, which pays out at 5:1 odds.

Lastly, you can bet on the tie, which has much lower odds than the player or banker bets but is more difficult to predict. While the tie bet may not offer the highest returns, it can be an exciting wager for some players. However, it’s important to remember that the player and banker bets will pay out based on their initial wager amount, while the tie bet will only pay out if you are right.