Baccarat is a game that oozes refinement, evoking images of high-rollers clad in tuxedos staking chips while playing in plush casinos. But don’t let the game’s mystique scare you away – it is an easy-to-learn casino card game that is as exciting to play as any other.

Whether you’re playing online or at the tables in Las Vegas, the objective is the same: bet on which hand will be closest to 9. There are some different rules for determining the value of a hand in baccarat, depending on the rules of your specific casino. In general, aces are low and the values of the 10s and face cards are determined by adding them together. A nine is the highest possible value for a hand. Any hand that goes above a ten is dropped to its lowest number. For example, a hand of seven and six would be worth 3 points because 7+6 = 13.

The best bets in baccarat are the banker bet and player bet. Both pay even money, and you can win more often by betting on the banker than the player. You can also make side bets, called Super Six and Pair Bets, which offer different payouts based on the outcome of the first two cards. The odds for these bets vary by establishment and platform, but they are a great way to spice up the action at the table.

Baccarat’s history dates back to France in the mid-19th century, and it is still a popular casino-type game around the world today. In addition to being available at many online casinos, it can be found in the big-money sections of European and Nevada casinos. The game has a low house edge, making it very attractive to high-rollers. This is why you’ll see baccarat tables in the same areas as poker and blackjack.

If you’re new to baccarat, the best advice is to set your limits and stick with them. Determine how much you’re willing to lose at the game and stop playing when you reach that amount. This will help you avoid losing more than you can afford to lose, and it will ensure that your wins are greater than your losses.

Regardless of which type of bet you place, the most important part of any casino game is bankroll management. You should never gamble with more than you can afford to lose, and baccarat is no exception. If you don’t manage your money wisely, you could easily find yourself out of luck very quickly.

The game’s rules are simple, and the rewards are big if you follow the right strategies. Besides the standard bets of Player and Banker, you can also wager on a tie. The return on a tie bet is higher than that of the player and banker bets, but it has a much higher house edge (14.1 percent). A smart Player will avoid this bet and opt for the player or banker bets.