If you want to play a casino table game with minimal complexity and maximum James Bond-style gambling fun, Baccarat is the one for you. This European-Latin American card game, also known as Punto Banco and Chemin de Fer, is a simple table game with three possible outcomes: a player win, a banker win or a tie. The dealer does all the work and, while the game has some subtle rules, it requires little technical skill to master.

The game begins with the dealer passing out two cards to the two gaming spaces at the baccarat table: the banker’s space and the player’s space. Players then bet on the outcome of the hand they think will come closest to nine. Aces count as one, and 10s and face cards are worth 0 points. The winner is the hand that gets as close to 9 as possible.

A player can place a bet on either the banker or the player. Each bet has its own payout and odds. It’s generally best to bet on the banker, as it offers better odds than the tie bet (which has a higher house edge). If you don’t have the banker bet, the tie bet can pay up to nine times the amount of your initial wager, but beware that it is more volatile.

The player’s and the banker’s hands can be a pair. If the first two cards in a player’s or banker’s hand make up a pair, your bet will be paid at 1:1 odds. If the first two cards don’t form a pair, your bet will be refunded.

Besides betting on the player, banker, or tie, there are a number of interesting side bets that can be made in baccarat. These bets vary by establishment and platform, but can include the player pair (which pays 11:1 odds), the banker pair, and the tee (which pays 4:1 odds).

While smart Baccarat players avoid the Tie bet due to its high 14.1 percent house edge, there are several strategies that can help reduce the casino’s advantage over time. The D’Alembert strategy is one example, in which players adjust their bet size by a unit after every loss or win. Another is the Paroli strategy, which doubles a bet after every win.

It’s important to understand baccarat rules and regulations before you start betting real money. If you’re new to the game, it may take a bit of practice to get familiar with all the rules and nuances. In addition to learning the rules, it’s also important to know the etiquette for baccarat, which includes never talking during the game or touching the chips until the session is over. It’s also recommended that you set a bankroll and gambling limits to prevent excessive losses. In addition, it’s a good idea to practice the game with virtual money to gain confidence before betting real cash. You can find many online baccarat games that offer free practice sessions.