Baccarat is an elegant and sophisticated casino game that has become a favorite among high rollers. Known for its association with luxury and elegance, this game is played in casinos around the world and has been featured in many movies including the James Bond franchise. The game has a low house edge and offers players the chance to win big.

In a nutshell, Baccarat involves betting on the Player, Banker, or Tie. Players place their bets on the table before cards are dealt, and can adjust their bet for each round. The objective is to get a hand closest to nine points. The Player and Banker hands are dealt two cards each, and sometimes a third card is added to either or both hands. The values of the cards are summed and the hand nearest to 9 wins. The values of the cards are determined by adding their numerical value and ignoring the leading digit. The values of the cards in a Baccarat hand are as follows: Tens, nines, and eights equal zero; all other numbers equal their face value.

If the Player hand and the Banker hand have a total of 8 or 9, they are called “naturals” and they win. If one of the hands has a value between five and nine, they must draw. If the other hand has a value between three and five, they must stand. If the hand has a value of four or six, it must draw, and the same goes for hands with seven or eight. If a third card is needed, the Caller decides whether to draw or not based on the standard rules of the game.

When the hand is finished, the result is announced and bets on the winner are paid out. If the Player or Banker hand wins, players receive a 1:1 payout. The Banker’s winning bets are subject to a 5% commission, which is collected by the dealer.

The popularity of Baccarat has led to variations on the game, as well as additional ways to bet and play. Some online casinos offer side bets, while others have a live dealer version of the game. Regardless of the variation, the game is simple to learn and fun to play.

It is important to know the rules of baccarat before you begin playing. The basic rules are similar to those of blackjack, but there are some differences in the way in which the cards are dealt and how the game is scored. It is also important to understand the concept of edge sorting, which is used in some casinos to limit the amount of money a player can win. This method has been the source of controversy and Phil Ivey’s $10 million lawsuit against two Atlantic City casinos. While edge sorting is legal, it is not recommended for players. Instead, a player should use an alternative strategy to increase his or her chances of winning. This is usually done by betting less on the tie bet and more on the banker hand.