Baccarat is a game of chance, but it also demands skill. This exciting card game has a reputation of sophistication, evoking images of high rollers in tuxedos at a glitzy casino. Fortunately, the game is simple to learn and fun to play. In this article, we’ll cover the rules of baccarat and offer tips to help you improve your gameplay.

A game of baccarat begins with players placing their chips on the table, which contains three betting options: Player win, Banker win, or Tie. The dealer then deals two cards to the player and banker. The hand with the value closest to nine wins. If a hand has a value higher than nine, the first digit must be dropped to reveal its true value.

Players may only bet on either the player or banker hand, and they cannot bet on both at the same time. However, some baccarat enthusiasts like to follow patterns and trends in the game to increase their chances of winning. For example, if the banker is on a streak, players can double their bets on the player to try and break the trend.

Another strategy involves flat betting, which can reduce the house edge of baccarat by limiting your loss potential. This method requires you to keep track of the results of each game and write them down on a score board sheet. When you’re done, you can analyze your performance and look for patterns. The 1-3-2-6 system dictates that you shouldn’t bet more than two units from your bankroll in a single game, which can reduce the amount of money you lose if you’re on a losing streak.

In addition to bets on the player, banker, and tie, baccarat offers a number of side bets that pay out according to different odds. These bets are usually available before a game starts and vary by establishment and platform. One of the most popular side bets is a banker pair, which wagers that the banker will receive identical cards on the deal. This bet pays out at 11:1 odds.

When a hand is dealt, the player and banker must both hit if the total is nine or higher. Then, the winner is determined based on the values of each hand. If the player’s hand has a higher value than the banker’s, all bets on the player are paid out. If the banker’s hand has a higher value than a player’s hand, the banker collects all bets on that side.

A famous example of a Baccarat hand is the one played between Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond and Famke Janssen’s Xenia Onatopp in the 1995 film GoldenEye. In this hand, the dealer deals an ace and a king to the banker, while the player hits on a six. When the banker hits, the player’s total becomes 13, which is the closest to 9. The hand wins and the bettors are paid out.