The card game baccarat (pronounced bah-CAR-tah) has been enjoyed in casinos since the 17th century. It’s often played on large tables in high-roller rooms, and has even been featured in several films and TV shows. The game is known for its ritualistic nature and slow-moving pace. Its popularity waned in the United States after the early 20th century, but it has remained popular in continental Europe and Asia.

The objective of baccarat is to guess which hand will win during each round. Two cards are dealt to the Bank hand, and two to the Player hand. A third card may be drawn to either hand, depending on the score and rules of play. The hand that comes closest to nine wins. The game is usually dealt from a six or eight-deck shoe. A ten equals one, a Jack equals two, and a Queen or King equals five. The Ace equals zero.

Baccarat is a simple game to learn, but there are a few things you should know before you begin playing. Firstly, the game has a lower house edge than most other casino table games. This is due to the fact that the banker bet has a lower house edge than the player bet. Secondly, it’s important to understand how the game’s rules work in order to maximize your chances of winning. This includes understanding the rules of ties, and when it’s best to take the banker bet.

Many baccarat strategies focus on using betting systems to maximize your wins and minimize your losses, especially during losing streaks. These systems can vary widely, but most of them are based on the belief that players and banks will win in alternating patterns. While these systems can’t guarantee big wins, they can help keep your bankroll lasting longer than if you were to bet flat on every banker or player win.

Another strategy that works well in baccarat is edge sorting, which is a technique that can be used to predict which cards will come up. This can be done with some decks of cards, but it’s not always feasible, and many casinos consider it to be cheating. Poker player Phil Ivey was able to use this method to win millions in the UK, but he was eventually stripped of his winnings.

In addition to the player and banker bets, baccarat also features side bets that pay out at different odds. The most common of these are the 9:1 payouts on winning tie bets, and there are also bets that pay out at 8:1. Many casinos will offer special side bets on their baccarat tables. These often have high payouts, but they will also come with a higher house edge than the other main bets. Before making any of these bets, it’s important to check the payouts and house edge and determine whether they’re appropriate for your bankroll.