Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games, and for good reason. From sticky floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Macau, this ancient game is now the number one source of casino revenue worldwide. The game has become so popular, in fact, that it even produces more money than slots at some casinos on the Las Vegas Strip. Baccarat is also very easy to learn, making it a perfect choice for new players.

The goal of baccarat is to bet on a hand that will total closest to nine. Both the Player and Banker hands are dealt two cards, and the value of each is determined by adding up the pips (the dots on a playing card that represent clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades). Picture and Tens count zero points, while cards numbered from 2-9 have their face value, and Aces count as one point. The hand whose final digit is closest to nine wins the round.

There are a few basic rules that need to be understood before playing baccarat. The most important is that there are only two opposing sides in a game of baccarat: the Banker and the Player. Each is dealt two cards, and the person who bets on the side with the highest total wins. There is a small commission that must be paid to the casino for betting on the Banker’s hand, and this amount varies by casino.

Once all the bets are placed, the dealer will deal a card into the Player box and then a second card into the Banker box. Then they will repeat the process so that each box contains two cards. A third card may be drawn if either the Player or Banker hand has a total of 8 or 9. If neither of these hands have a total of 8 or 9, then the game is over and any bets are paid out.

Some players use a strategy called the Martingale to increase their chances of winning at baccarat. This system involves doubling your bet after each loss, and the idea is that eventually you will win enough to cover all of your previous losses. This can be a successful strategy, but only if you have a large bankroll and the discipline to stick to it.

Another way to increase your odds of winning at baccarat is to place a Super Six or Pair Bet on the first two cards. These bets pay out 12x your initial bet if the player’s or banker’s pair of cards totals 6 points. In addition, you can bet on the Player and Banker to tie, which pays out 9x your original bet.