Baccarat is a casino card game that is played with six or eight standard decks of cards. The game is simple to learn and exciting to play. Participants bet on whether the player hand, banker hand or a tie will win the round. Two cards are dealt to each hand, and a hand’s value is determined by adding the values of the individual cards and subtracting the tens digit from the total. Picture cards and tens have no value, while 2s through 9s are worth their face value. If either the player or banker hand has a value of 8 or 9, it wins. If neither has a value of 8, the hand with the higher numbered card wins.

Unlike most casino games, Baccarat has a house edge that is fairly low, at only 1.06%. However, since the banker bet is more likely to win than a player bet, casinos often charge a 5% commission on winning banker bets. While this is a small percentage of the overall payout, it can add up over time, so players should be aware of it.

When playing baccarat, it’s important to know how much you want to spend before beginning the game. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game and end up spending more than you intended. To avoid this, set a budget ahead of time and treat the money you’re planning to use like you would your cash for a night out.

Before each game begins, players will place their chips on the table based on who they favor to win the round. They can choose to bet on the banker side, the player side or a tie. The banker bet is the safest choice because it has a lower house edge of only 1.06%. The tie bet, on the other hand, has a high house edge of over 4%. As a result, it’s best to avoid betting on the tie bet.

Once all the bets are placed, the dealer will deal the cards. The first card will be dealt to the Player’s box and the second to the Banker’s box. If the Player or Banker hands have a total of 8 or 9 on their first two cards, they win the round and all bets are paid out. If not, a third card is drawn on each hand.

Although Baccarat has a reputation for being a luxurious, exclusive game, it can be enjoyed by all types of players, regardless of their bankroll. While the game is typically associated with high rollers, it can be played for as little as $1 a hand. The game is also featured in a number of James Bond films, including the 1954 television adaptation of Casino Royal, where Bond plays baccarat against Le Chiffre; Thunderball; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; For Your Eyes Only and GoldenEye. The 2013 film The Great Gatsby also features a baccarat game at one of the parties thrown by the fictional character Jay Gatsby.