Baccarat is one of those casino games that evokes images of high-rollers in tuxedos and women in upscale evening wear laying down chips as the dealer distributes cards. But don’t let its mystique intimidate you, because baccarat is actually an easy-to-learn game of chance. With just a little time and practice, you’ll be able to play the game with ease, and maybe even develop a winning strategy.

The objective of baccarat is to bet on which hand, the player’s or banker’s, will have a total closest to nine. The dealer deals two cards to each hand, and whoever’s total is closest to 9 wins the round. The cards are ranked according to their value. The face cards, which are numbered from ten to 12, count as zero points, and the aces count as one point each. The value of each card is determined by adding the digits of their combined values.

After all bets have been placed, the dealer reveals the first card in the Player box and then in the Banker’s box. If the Player or Banker hand has a total closer to 9 than any other, that hand will win the round. If neither hand has a total closer to nine, a third card is drawn to decide the winner. If the player hand has a total of eight or nine (which is referred to as a “natural”), the hand stands and no third card is drawn.

As you learn the rules of baccarat, it is helpful to understand how the house edge and payouts work. This information will help you make more informed betting decisions. The house edge, also referred to as juice, is the percentage of your winning bet that the casino takes. It is usually higher for games with a lower win/loss ratio, such as baccarat.

Besides placing bets on the Player, Banker, or Tie, players can also make side bets, such as the Super Six Bet and the Pair Bet. These bets are not as lucrative as the player, banker, and tie bets, but they can add a level of excitement to the game.

Another way to increase your chances of winning is to track trends and patterns in the player or banker’s performance. If either the player or banker is streaking, it may be worth putting your money on them for a while. Then, once you’ve established a pattern, switch to the other side to take advantage of a different situation. This is known as the Martingale system and can be a profitable strategy for casino games with even money pay tables. However, always remember to practice good stake management and never chase your losses. Set a profit target and stick to it, but don’t be afraid to take a break if you’re losing. Playing baccarat for too long can drain your bankroll. This is why it’s important to establish a budget before you begin playing.