Baccarat is one of those games that evokes images of high rollers laying down their chips in the opulent casinos of Monaco. It has a mystique that may seem intimidating, but it’s actually a very simple game to play and can be quite fun as well.

The objective is to bet on the hand that comes closest to nine, with the ace being worth 1 and all other cards having their value as they appear on the hand. The banker and player hands are dealt two cards each, and the total is determined by adding the values of each hand and subtracting the tens digit. If either the player or banker hands have a total of eight or nine, that hand wins the round. If neither hand has a total of eight or nine, the game ends in a tie.

While the game of baccarat seems complex, there are a few things that every player should know to make the most of their experience. First, set a win limit for yourself. This will help you stay in control and avoid going over your budget. Second, practice, as much as possible, to increase your chances of winning. Third, keep in mind that the game of baccarat is a game of chance, so be prepared for losing some of your bets.

A baccarat table consists of up to 14 seats for players, plus a croupier and a banker. The game uses a shoe, a box-like device that holds the cards and keeps track of them as they’re dealt. Six decks of cards are used and shuffled together before the game begins. Players are seated in random order around the table and play starts to the right of the croupier.

Once the game has begun, the croupier deals two cards to the player and banker hands. If the total of either hand is 8 or 9, it’s a “natural” and the round is over. If the total of either hand is less than 8, a third card is drawn. The croupier then announces the result of the hand.

There are a variety of side bets that you can place on the table, depending on the establishment or platform. Some of these bets are paid out at odds that can be very high. A banker pair bet, for example, pays out at 11:1 odds.

While the game of baccarat has a long history dating back to Europe, its popularity in the US has only risen in recent years. According to Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control agent, casino dealer, executive, and consultant who literally wrote the book on managing casino games, Baccarat’s growth has been fueled primarily by Asian high rollers. He predicts that the game will continue to grow in popularity in the United States as it gains acceptance among the country’s luxury casino-goers.