Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It is also a game that many high rollers prefer as it maintains a lower house edge than other casino games. Despite being portrayed as a formal, elegant card game in the movies – especially as James Bond’s favourite – it is actually quite simple to learn and can be played at almost any online casino with a live dealer.

Whether you are new to the game or an experienced player, there are some things that everyone should know about baccarat before playing it. The following article outlines the basic rules, payouts, house edge, and best strategy for this captivating card game.

Before the game begins, players must decide if they want to bet on the player or banker hand. If they choose to bet on the player hand, they must then place a bet amount in the appropriate box. Once all the bets have been placed, a dealer will deal two cards to the banker’s hand and the player’s hands. A third card may be drawn depending on the rules of a particular casino.

The objective of baccarat is to bet on which hand will have the total closest to nine. Those who correctly bet on the winning player or banker hand will receive a 1:1 payout. However, those who bet on a win for the banker must pay a 5% commission, which reduces the odds to 9:1. If you wager on the tie and it wins, you will receive a higher payout of 8:1. This is why it is important to understand how this game works before betting your money.