Baccarat is a card game that’s popular at casino tables around the world. It’s a game that relies on chance more than skill and has attracted some of the most affluent gamblers in history.

The game has a reputation for being very difficult to learn, but it’s actually quite simple. If you’re willing to take a look at how the game works, you can pick it up in minutes. Just remember that tens and face cards count as zero, while aces are worth one.

Once players place their bets, the dealer will deal two cards to both the banker and player hands. The hand that totals closest to 9 (without going over) wins. If the hand is a tie, your stake will be returned. If you bet on either the Player or Banker, and win, your winnings will be paid out at odds of 8:1.

When playing baccarat, you should always bring more money than you can afford to lose. The table minimums for this game are high, and you’ll likely be playing for several hours at a time, letting a lot of cash change hands.

A skilled baccarat dealer will be able to make a winning streak last longer by increasing their bet size after every win. This method is known as the Kelly strategy and can help you increase your profits by up to 85%. It’s a great way to maximize your winnings and improve your long-term results at the same time.