Baccarat is a casino card game that is similar to, but simpler than blackjack. It is a popular choice among high rollers, who prefer the game’s low house edge and high payouts. However, it is important to understand how to play baccarat before betting with real money. Having a clear understanding of the game’s mechanics and strategies will help you maximize your profitability and minimize risk.

The objective of baccarat is to have the hand that gets closest to nine points. The player and banker sides work against each other, and the hand that wins is the one that comes out with a value closer to nine than the other. The game is played in several variations, including punto banco, baccarat chemin de fer, and baccarat banque. The game’s rules are simple enough that new Players can easily learn the game in a few minutes, making it an ideal game for novices and seasoned players alike.

In baccarat, the dealer deals two hands of cards to the Banker and the Player. The winning hand has a total value that is closest to nine, excluding the second digit. The total value is determined by adding up the values of all the cards in the hand. If a hand has an Ace, it is valued at 1. The remaining numbers are added together until they reach a double digit. For example, a hand with a 3 and a 9 will have a value of 12.

When betting on the Banker’s hand, the house edge is 1.06%, which gives Players a slight advantage over the bank. The Banker’s hand also wins slightly more often than the Player’s hand (45.8%), and ties occur 9.6% of the time. This makes the Banker’s bet a good option for Players who want to make long-term profits with a lower risk of losing their initial investment.

Many Players use baccarat strategies to increase their chances of winning. For example, some Players employ the Martingale system, whereby they double their bet after every loss and reset it after a win. The Fibonacci betting system is another popular strategy that works well for players who prefer even money payouts.

The game’s popularity among high rollers has grown steadily, especially in Asia. According to Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control Agent and current casino executive and consultant, high rollers in Asian casinos have made baccarat their game of choice for its lower house edge and higher payouts. The game is also popular among high-rollers in Europe, where it was first introduced to the West.