Baccarat is a casino game that has garnered a reputation for being elegant, exclusive and expensive. It has become synonymous with the wealthy and sophisticated, a trait that is portrayed in movies such as “The Great Gatsby.” But the truth is that Baccarat can be enjoyed by players of any budget. In fact, it might be the best casino game for people with limited bankrolls, since the house edge for the most common bet is only 1.06%.

The basic game of baccarat is straightforward: You bet on either the Player hand or the Banker’s hand, with the goal being to win by betting on the one that will have a total closest to nine. Each hand is dealt two cards, and the value of each card is determined by adding up its pips—the dots on a playing card that indicate their suits—and counting the ace as one. If the final total of the cards is higher than nine, then only the second digit is counted.

There are many versions of how the game is played, but a standardized game of baccarat has from seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer’s area. The players don’t get their own cards, but instead share a table with the dealer’s. The only thing that separates a player’s seat from the dealer’s is a small, padded table cover that is used to protect the cards.

In addition to the game’s rules, there are a number of strategies that players can use. One popular system is the Martingale strategy, which involves doubling your bet after every loss. This is based on the idea that a single win will eventually recoup all previous losses and result in a profit equal to your original bet amount.

Another strategy involves a method of peeking at the cards known as “squeeze.” This is a technique that some players employ to help improve their chances of winning by detecting telltale patterns in the cards. This is a practice that some gamblers have embraced, and it has led to some casinos requiring that customers not use squeeze methods.

Other casino management tactics are designed to make the game more user-friendly for a wider range of players. For example, many baccarat tables feature electronic scoreboards in several different formats (Bread Pan and Big Road are common) that show the results of past rounds. These are posted alongside the actual results in order to help the customer understand what is happening at the table. This has proven to be a helpful tool for newcomers who are not familiar with the game’s rules or how to play it. The game has also evolved from its European origins and is now available on many casino floors, often with lower minimum bets than blackjack. This has made it more accessible to the general public, although its James Bond pageantry and tuxedo-clad dealers are still a part of the game’s appeal for some patrons.