Baccarat is a game that evokes images of high-rollers clad in tuxedos and women in upscale evening gowns playing at opulent casinos. But despite its mystique, this card game is easy to learn and fun to play.

The game’s rules are straightforward, and the object is to beat the other player’s hand by getting closer to nine points than them. The player’s and banker’s scores are determined by adding up the cards in each hand. Tens and lower count as zero, while aces and higher count as one. All other cards are worth their face value.

Two hands are dealt to each player and the banker, with a third card sometimes called for by the player or banker if the score is 0-4, 5-6, or 7. The winner of each hand is determined by whose total is closest to nine. If neither the Player nor Banker gets close to nine, a Tie wins and the bets are returned.

Typically, Baccarat is played with 8 standard 52-card decks that are shuffled together. Each card is given a numerical value according to its pip denomination, with the number 9 being the highest point, 2 through 9 cards having their pip values, picture or face cards having no point value, and the Aces having a value of 1. The game can also be played using less than 8 decks, but this changes the House Edge for the Banker bet.

Players place bets on the Player or Banker hand, with a winning Banker bet paying 1:1 and a losing one owing a 5% commission to the casino. A 5% commission is a large enough amount to make the difference between a profit and a loss on the Banker bet, so it’s important to understand the game’s rules and strategy.

If the Banker and Player hands both have the same point total, the game ends in a Tie, and the bets are returned to the players. This is one of the most common outcomes in online Baccarat, and it can make the game more exciting to play.

In addition to the Player, Banker, and Tie bets, Baccarat also offers a variety of side bets that pay out at different odds. These bets must be placed before the deal begins, and their exact rules vary by establishment and platform.

The most common side bet is the Pair bet, which wagers that the player or banker will receive a pair on the deal. This bet pays 11:1 odds, but is not as lucrative as betting on a Player or Banker win. Another popular side bet is the Super Six Bet, which wagers that either the Player or Banker will receive a seven on the deal. This bet pays 8:1 odds. Lastly, a Tie bet on the dealer or player paying 14:1 odds is available. These bets are not as profitable as the Player and Banker bets, but they can make the game more interesting and engaging to play.