Baccarat is one of the most popular casino card games. It has a glamorous reputation associated with luxury and sophistication. However, while baccarat is primarily a game of chance, there are some strategies that can increase your chances of winning.

The game is played with a six- or eight-deck shoe. Cards two through nine are worth their face value, while tens, jacks, queens, and kings are worth zero points and the ace equals one. A player or banker wins when the total of their first two cards is closest to 9. There are also several additional wagers available, including a Super Six bet, which pays out 12x the initial bet amount. Players can also place a Pair bet, which will pay out 11x the initial bet amount when either the Banker or Player hand has a pair of matching cards.

While the game may look complicated at a glance, it is actually quite simple to understand. In fact, it’s so easy that it can be played by people with no previous experience in the casino world. This makes it an ideal game for beginners to play because there is no need to study different betting systems. Moreover, unlike other casino games like blackjack and roulette, baccarat only has three possible outcomes per hand.