Baccarat is often thought of as a game reserved for high rollers and sophisticated and suave patrons like James Bond, but it is actually a very simple and fun casino game that anyone can enjoy. It has one of the lowest house edges in most casinos, and if you follow some basic rules, you can maximize your chances of winning each session.

Baccarat uses three to six standard 52-card decks that are shuffled and dealt by a croupier from a dealing machine, more commonly known as a shoe. Two cards are dealt to each of the Banker’s and Player’s hands, and a third card may be drawn for either or both hands. Whoever has a hand closest to nine wins the round.

The game of baccarat is played on a large table with 12 seats, including the player and the Banker. A green felt covers the entire table and is marked with numbered areas where players place their bets. Before the cards are dealt, each player must choose whether to bet on the Banker, the Player or a Tie. The winner of each round is the one who wagers correctly and whose hand is closest to nine.

In the 19th Century, Baccarat began to attract more royal and imperial clients. After Charles X visited the company’s factory in 1828, he commissioned an extensive glass dinner service for the Tuileries Palace. This was followed by orders from other French monarchs, Emperors and heads of state. Baccarat also received commissions from the Sultans and Shahs of Persia to design monumental candelabra, such as the 157-light chandelier pictured above.

Other Baccarat pieces include the firm’s famous 1867 ’Jusivy’ table service, which won a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle. The company also designed the iconic Harcourt glass, first commissioned in 1841 by King Louis-Philippe of France. This thick, short-stemmed glass was prized for its prismatic lustre, reflecting a variety of colors depending on how it is positioned in relation to light sources.

Regardless of where you play baccarat, be sure to set aside a limited amount of money and only gamble with that budget in mind. This will help keep you from getting too carried away and spending more than you can afford to lose. Also, be careful not to get too tangled up in betting strategies and patterns. If you’re going to play baccarat, you should be prepared for long nights spent at the tables, so don’t bring any additional items that you might want to keep with you. You should also make sure to use cash instead of credit cards, as it is easier to track your spend. If you’re new to baccarat, it might be best to start small and gradually increase your stakes over time as you gain more experience. This will give you a better feel for the odds and rules of the game and how to place your bets.