Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It’s a simple game to play, and players place bets on whether the Player or Banker hand will win or result in a tie. Often, casinos offer side bets on the Player and Banker hands that pay higher odds than standard bets. The game is a fast-paced game that can be played with as few as eight Players.

While the game is a classic casino game, it’s not without its controversy. In 2012, Phil Ivey won over $10 million at two different casinos by using a strategy called edge sorting to beat the house edge in baccarat. While edge sorting isn’t illegal, it’s important to know the rules of baccarat before betting real money.

The basic rules of baccarat are relatively straightforward, and many Players may be surprised to learn that the game is very easy to play. The goal of the game is to determine whether the player or banker hand will be closer to 9 points in total than the other hand. A tie results in a loss for both the Player and Banker, so the first step is to decide who you want to bet on.

Once you’ve decided who you’re going to bet on, the dealer will deal out two cards to the Player and Banker hands. A third card is then dealt if necessary, and the winner is determined based on the total value of the hand.

The number of decks used in baccarat can affect the house edge, so it’s important to check the rules and details of each casino before playing. Some online baccarat games have as few as six decks, while others can use up to fourteen. The number of decks will also affect the game’s odds of winning, so it’s important to understand how each variation works before making a bet.

Each baccarat game is structured differently, so it’s important to check the specific rules and game mechanics of each casino before depositing any money. Some games allow Players to wager on either the Player or Banker hand, while others feature a separate side bet on a tie. Some games are also played with a fixed table limit, while others have variable limits.

In addition to placing bets on the Player or Banker hand, there are a number of other interesting side bets you can make in baccarat. Depending on the platform or establishment, these side bets can pay up to 11:1 odds. The banker pair side bet wagers that the banker and player will receive identical cards on the deal, while the ace pair side bet pays 5:1 odds. A tie bet is another option, but it’s usually not recommended due to its low payout.