Baccarat is a table game that’s popular in land-based casinos and online. It’s a game that requires little skill, and the rules are easy to learn. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you start playing.

First, understand how the game works. There are three possible outcomes in a round of Baccarat: A Player Win, Banker Win, or a Tie Bet. If you make a Player Win or Banker Win bet, you win if the respective hand’s total is closest to 9. A third bet, called a tie, pays eight to one if the hands equal each other, but has a higher house edge of over 14 percent.

Once you’ve made your bets, the dealer deals two cards to both the Player and Banker hands. In the United States, a full-scale baccarat game is played in a roped-off area with a shoe that holds eight decks of cards. Unlike the other card games in which players play, the shoes are not passed between players. Instead, the bettor who is holding the shoe slides out a card for the player hand and then gives it to the stand-up dealer, who then calls out a number and announces the point total. The Player and Banker hands are then paid, and the next round begins.

The value of a hand is determined by adding the values of the individual cards in the hand. Number cards (2-9) count as their face value, while tens and jacks are worth zero. Aces are worth one point, and kings are worth nothing. If the hand’s total is a double-digit number, only the second digit is used to determine the winner of the hand.

Before you start betting real money, it’s a good idea to try the game out for free. Most online casinos offer this option for players who want to get a feel for the game before they deposit any cash. This way, you can test different strategies and build your confidence before making a big investment. Plus, you’ll be able to practice gambling discipline and improve your time management skills without leaving the comfort of your home.

The best way to play baccarat is to follow the rules of the game, which are straightforward. Once you understand the game, it’s a matter of choosing which side to bet on and how much to wager. It’s important to note that the game is not against the dealer; it’s against the Player or Banker. If the hands total more than nine, you win; if they equal, you push. A third bet, called a tie, is also available but has a much higher house edge of over 14 percent, so most serious players stick to the player and banker bets. This is especially true since the practice of edge sorting (taking advantage of an uneven distribution of cards) was banned in some US casinos after Phil Ivey won over $10 million from one casino, and then lost it to another.