Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It is easy to learn and maintains a low house edge, which makes it a great choice for players of any experience level. There are many versions of the game available in casinos and online, and each can have small differences. This article will help you understand how the game works and offer tips for playing.

Baccarat is a card game that pits the Banker’s hand against the Player’s hand. The bettors can choose to place their bet on either of the two hands, or on a tie. Each baccarat coup (round of play) has three possible outcomes: the Player wins, the Banker wins, or the tie is drawn. The game is played with a shoe, containing up to 8 decks of cards.

When the Banker and Player’s hands are dealt, the first thing that needs to be done is comparing their total value. The winning hand is the one that is closest to nine without going over. The loosing hand is the one that has a total value higher than 9. This is why it is important to know the rank of each card in the game. Cards numbered 1 through 9 have their face value, while the Ace is worth one point.

Once the hands are compared, the banker will decide whether to draw a third card. If the second total is a 8, the hand will stand; however, if it is a 6, a 7 or a 9, the banker must draw a third card. If the Banker has a third card, the winning hand will be declared. The banker will then pay out the winning bets.

If you bet on the Banker’s hand, you will receive a payment of 8 to 1. In addition to this, the casino will also take a 5% commission from the winning bettors. The amount of the commission is recorded in a special box called the ‘commission box’ and collected by the dealer every time it is owed.

Before you start betting, make sure that you set a budget for yourself. This will help you avoid losing money and prevent you from getting carried away. Decide how much you want to spend before the game begins and treat it as money that you would spend on a night out. That way, you’ll be more likely to stick to your plan and play responsibly. This will give you a better chance of enjoying the game and maximizing your winnings. Also, make sure that you only bet with cash, not credit or debit. In the case of a tie, your stake will be returned to you.