Baccarat is a casino game that can be confusing for first-time players. Its rules can be complex and the scoring can be complicated too. There are a few things that first-time players should know to get started with this game. These tips will help them avoid mistakes that may lead to large losses and improve their long-term results.

In baccarat, the goal is to wager on a hand that has the highest value when all the cards are dealt. The winning hand is the one that has a total closer to nine than any other hand. The final number is determined by adding the digits of each card and dropping the first numeral if it is above nine. A score sheet is available at live baccarat tables to help players keep track of their scores.

The game’s two main bets are Player and Banker, which have a lower house edge than betting on the tie or other side bets. While the latter have higher payouts, they also carry a much higher house edge than the bank/player bet.

Traditionally, the game is played on a large table in high-roller areas of casinos with tables for up to 10 players and expensive minimum bets. While the baccarat table can still be found in these areas, the game has evolved from its elegant European roots into a more casual casino game, often with less formal tuxedo-wearing dealers and lower minimums.

In this new version, a smaller table is used and the game moves faster. It’s often played with a small number of players, and the tables are usually made from wood or marble. Baccarat has also evolved into a popular online casino game and is offered at many of the best online casinos.

While the game’s rules are different from the punto banco or chemin de fer versions of the game, the underlying strategy is similar. The basic idea is to bet on the hand – either banker or player – that will have the highest total value when all the cards are dealt. Unlike poker, the winning player is not required to have a nine-card hand.

The most common way to win in baccarat is by betting on the banker hand, which wins around 45.8% of the time. However, ties occur in 9.6% of the games and this low payout makes it more difficult to be profitable when betting on the banker. It’s also important to remember that when a banker bet wins, the player must pay the bank a 5% commission. This is customary, and most casinos will not accept IOUs for this money. In the past, this has caused a lot of controversy among casino players.