Baccarat (bah-kur-RAH) is a table game that is largely a matter of chance. However, players can develop strategies to increase their chances of winning. Baccarat is played on a large table with a special deck of cards, and two hands are dealt to each player. The goal of the game is to get the hand with a total value closest to nine.

A croupier, who is called a “dealer” in the game, deals the cards and determines which hand is the winner. The dealer also places bets on the outcome of each hand. The game can be played at a variety of table sizes, but it is often played in a high-limit room of a casino or at a live casino online. The game is very popular in Asia, where it is sometimes known as Punto Banco.

The rules of baccarat are simple and easy to understand. The player’s hand and the banker’s hand are both dealt two cards, and the one with a total closer to nine wins. The cards are ranked in descending order, with Aces having the highest value and Tens having the lowest. The values of face cards and the king are zero, so they do not count in a baccarat hand.

In addition to the basic rules, there are some other important points to remember when playing baccarat. Among these are knowing when a third card is drawn, and understanding the rules of a tie. When the player and banker hands have a combined total of 8 or 9, they are called ‘naturals’ and do not draw a third card. Likewise, when the banker’s total is 2 or less, they will draw a third card.

Another important point to remember is that if a hand has a double-digit total, the second digit becomes the value of the hand. For example, a hand of 4 and 7 would have a value of 8, because the seven is higher than the four. Also, if the hand total is above ten, it must be dropped to the first digit to find its value.

Those who correctly wager on a winning player or banker hand will receive a payout of 1:1. Those who place a bet on a tie pay 5% commission to the house, and win a payout of 9:1. Score sheets are available at baccarat tables to help players keep track of their score. It is recommended that players only spend money they can afford to lose, and that they stick to their budget. Baccarat is a fast-paced game, and it can be easy to get carried away. Having a clear plan and sticking to it will ensure that the game is enjoyed without any regrets. It is also important to practice good stake management, and limiting your bets to 10 units with a minimum of 200 units per session, followed by a break, is a good strategy. This will allow you to maximize your winning streaks and minimize your losses.