Baccarat is one of those games that exudes sophistication, evoking images of men in tuxedos and women in posh evening gowns sitting around the table placing chips before the dealer hands out cards. But despite its air of sophistication, the game is easy to learn and fun to play. It’s also a great choice for players looking to try something different or a new casino game.

In baccarat, the object of the game is to correctly guess which hand will win on a given round. Two cards are dealt to the Player hand and to the Banker hand. A third card may be drawn in certain cases. The hand that is closest to nine wins the round. The winning hand is announced by the croupier and losing bets are collected. The croupier will then pay out winning bets.

The rules of the game vary slightly depending on where you play, but all baccarat games follow the same basic principles. A ten and an Ace are worth nine points each, while other cards have their own values. Two, three and four are worth themselves, while five through nine equal their face value. If your total is a number that exceeds nine, you must subtract ten from it or drop the first numeral. For example, a seven and an eight makes 15. You must subtract 10 from 15 or drop the 7 to get your new total of 14.

Once you’ve made your bet on Player, Banker or Tie, the cards are dealt. The first hand to reach a score of 9 wins the round. If the Banker or Player has a total of 8 with their first two cards, no more cards are dealt and the winner is declared. If neither the player or banker has a total of 8, they both stand and the game is over.

During the game, the croupier will announce the results of each hand and collect any lost bets. Winning bets are paid even money. If the croupier announces that a Banker hand won, the winning amount will be rounded to the nearest hundredth of a unit.

Another important strategy element is to always play within your bankroll. Always bet a small percentage of your total bankroll and never let the thrill of winning lull you into playing more than you can afford to lose. A losing streak can wipe you out quickly, so it’s better to play conservatively than risk a large amount of money at once.

Many casinos offer a variety of side bets on the game of Baccarat. These bets can cost you a lot of money, so it’s important to understand the odds and game strategy before placing these bets. These bets are typically placed before the game begins and can range from 11:1 to 5:1 odds. Generally speaking, these bets should be avoided as they can significantly increase the house edge of the game.