Baccarat is one of the world’s most popular casino games, and although it’s associated with luxury and high rollers, this game can be enjoyed by players with all levels of bankroll. The game’s popularity has also led to many people attempting to master it.

The game’s rules are fairly simple: two cards are dealt to the player hand and the banker hand, which is then compared to see which has the final value closest to nine. Ten values count as zero, and aces count as 1. If either the player or banker hand has a value closer to nine than the other, that hand wins. If neither has a value close to 9, the hand with the lowest total loses.

Players wager on which hand they think will win, with the options being the player hand, the banker hand or a tie. The game can be played with eight or more decks, and some online casinos offer several variants that use different numbers of decks.

Before you begin playing, familiarize yourself with the basic rules and the various betting strategies. You can do this by practicing the game with free money before you play for real cash. This is a great way to build confidence, learn the game’s rules and nuances, and train gambling discipline and time management skills without having to leave your home.

In addition to the standard bets, some players also place side bets and other special wagers on the outcome of a particular round. While these bets can increase the excitement of a game, they should not be used to replace basic strategy.

A derived road in baccarat is a trend-following system that aims to identify the most likely outcome of each game, allowing players to maximize their profits. These systems are complex and take some time to understand, but they can be worth the effort for serious players who want to improve their chances of winning.

While the game may be best known for its appearance in the 2013 movie “The Great Gatsby”, baccarat has been around for centuries and is now enjoyed by high rollers all over the world. The game is easy to learn, and the house edge is low – only about 1.2 percent on the player and banker bets. There is a third bet, the tie, which pays off 8 to 1, but it has a much higher house edge.

The game is played in a similar manner at land-based and online casinos. However, some online casinos feature a live dealer that allows players to compete against other players from around the world. This feature can be particularly helpful for those who are new to the game. The live dealer can explain the rules of baccarat and help you get started. Many of these live dealer sites also offer a downloadable rule sheet to reference at any time. The rule sheet is handy for understanding when the player and banker should hit or stand, and how payouts for tie and side bets work.