Baccarat has a reputation for being the game of choice for high rollers and sophisticated patrons like James Bond. However, baccarat is actually one of the most accessible casino games around. It’s simple to play, fun, and has one of the lowest house edges in the industry. In fact, players are far more likely to make a profit at a baccarat table than they are at a roulette wheel or slot machine. And the best part is that it’s easier to learn than you might think.

Baccarat is a simple card game that has been played for centuries. The rules are straightforward: a player or banker bets on the outcome of a hand. The cards are dealt from a six or eight deck shoe. The objective of the game is to determine which hand is closest to nine points. The game is usually played from a large table in the high-roller rooms of casinos for betting minimums of $25, $50, $100 or more.

Unlike blackjack, where players can make decisions that can affect the outcome of a hand, baccarat is a fixed game with a set number of rules that must be followed by both the dealer and the player. The only decision a player has to make before the cards are dealt is whether to bet on Banker, Player, or Tie. The dealer then deals two cards to each of the hands. If the Player or Banker hands are closer to 9 than the Tie, the winner is declared.

The game was first played using popular medieval tarot cards and moved from Italy to neighboring France, where it became known as Chemin de Fer (“Chemmy”). As the popularity of baccarat grew, more standardized rules were established. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it spread throughout Europe, becoming a favorite of royalty and the upper classes.

There are a few different ways to win at baccarat, but the most common strategy is to bet on either the Player or Banker hand. The house edge is slightly lower on the Banker bet, but it’s still higher than on the Player bet. It’s important to know the odds of each bet before you start playing.

Another way to reduce the baccarat house edge is to avoid betting on ties. This bet pays out nine to one, but has a 14.1 percent edge for the house. Most intelligent players skip this bet and stick to the Player or Banker bet.

Baccarat side bets are offered by many online and offline casinos. The odds on these bets differ from place to place, and they’re generally more expensive than the Player or Banker bets. These side bets should be avoided unless you’re very familiar with the game and know how much you’re willing to risk losing on any given session. This will help you control your bankroll and keep your winnings to a minimum. If you’re not comfortable with the risks of a side bet, consider playing a free version of the game to get an idea of how the game works.