Baccarat is the swanky casino card game you see high-rollers playing in opulent Las Vegas casinos. It exudes elegance and James Bond-style gambling fun, but it’s actually very easy to learn. This game is one of the most popular in the world and it’s becoming more accessible than ever to American gamblers thanks to online casinos.

There are from seven to 14 seats around the table, and there are two areas where players place bets. The dealer will then deal two cards to each of these spots. Each player’s betting area is marked with a sign that reads ‘Player’, ’Banker’ or ‘Tie’. The baccarat player’s and banker’s hands are then compared to see which one comes closest to 9 without going over. If you bet on the Player or Banker and win, your stake will be paid out. If you bet on a Tie and it wins, your wager is returned to you (with the exception of the initial Banker bet).

Once you’ve chosen which side you’re going to bet on, you’ll place your chips on that section of the table. Depending on the platform or establishment, there may be several different side bets you can also make. These can pay more than the main bets, but they are generally not as lucrative as a player or banker win.

The simplest way to understand how the rules of baccarat work is by looking at the numbers that each card represents. Picture cards and Tens are worth zero points, while cards numbered 2-9 are valued at their face value. The ace, however, counts as one point. If a hand totals more than nine, it is rounded down to the nearest double-digit number. For example, if a hand contains an eight and a seven, it will be rounded down to five.

There are a few important rules to know before you begin playing baccarat. First of all, it’s against the rules to talk or make noise while a baccarat game is in session. In addition, it’s considered etiquette to avoid touching the cards until after they have been dealt and the outcome of the hand is determined.

The best way to play baccarat is to practice before you head to the real tables. You can find many baccarat games available for free on desktop and mobile devices, and you can try out various strategies to find which one works best for your style of gambling. Remember to always gamble responsibly and set spending limits before you play. This will help you to enjoy your time at the tables and keep your winnings safe. Also, be sure to take advantage of bonuses and promotions that are available when you play. This will give your bankroll a healthy boost, and you’ll be ready to play baccarat at its best!