From sticky-floor California card rooms to tuxedo-laden casinos in Monaco, there’s something about the swanky game of baccarat that makes it feel like an event. It may be the James Bond references – there’s just something about a tuxedo-clad 007 breaking the bank in Monte Carlo, accompanied by a seductive dame who may or may not be a counterspy – or perhaps it’s the fact that baccarat is one of the few games where players can be sure they’re not going home empty handed.

Regardless of the reason, it’s hard to find a more elegant gaming experience than baccarat. The table is adorned in plush red velvet, the players sit around it in tuxedos or evening gowns and the cocktail waitresses serve doubles of Macallan whisky. The room hums with anticipation as the dealers deal two cards to each player and banker. The game is easy enough to understand, with players betting on either the Player or Banker hand with the goal of winning by getting closer to a total of nine than the opponent. Picture cards and tens count zero points; the values of the remaining cards are added together, with aces counting as one. The winner is the hand closest to nine; in case of a tie, both hands are dealt another card and the first digit is dropped.

Baccarat is the least intimidating game in the casino, and a good place for new or casual gamblers to start. The decision to bet on player or banker is almost a coinflip (1-1.5% house edge), your bets don’t impact other players and the game is over in seconds. Commission-free versions of baccarat, which can be found at many online casinos, are even faster and simpler.

If you’re serious about baccarat, you’ll want to learn more about the rules and strategy. A big part of this is understanding derived roads, which are patterns that can help you predict the outcome of a hand. The resulting system can be complicated, and it may take time to master it. But once you do, it can make a huge difference in your winnings.

The first step is to decide how much you want to spend before you play. Set a limit and stick to it. Baccarat can be very addictive, and it’s important to keep yourself in check. Treat the money you bring to the tables as if it were your night out. That way, you’ll avoid making irrational decisions about when to stop playing and you’ll be more likely to walk away a winner. This is the most important thing you can do to increase your chances of success in Baccarat. And who knows, maybe you’ll even make it to the next Bond movie. Good luck!