The game of baccarat has long had a mystique about it, evoking images of high-rollers in tuxedos playing at luxurious casinos. But it’s a fun and easy game to learn, even for new players. With a little practice, you can develop an edge over the house.

The goal in baccarat is to have the hand you bet on (player or banker) win, or come close to winning. The player or banker will be dealt two cards each, and the winner is whoever has the hand closest to nine when all the pips (the dots on the card that represent clubs, diamonds, spades, and hearts) are added up. The only exception is the ace, which equals one.

To place a bet, simply place your chips in the designated area on the baccarat table. Players can choose to bet on the player hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. Before the hand is dealt, you can also place a Super Six bet, which pays out 12:1 odds and wagers that the Banker and Player hands will receive pairs of identical cards on the deal.

After the bets are placed, the dealer deals two cards each to the Player and Banker hands. If the Player’s hand is a natural (a total of 9), no more cards are drawn. The Banker will stand on a total of 6 or 7, and draw if it is 0 or 5. A third card may be drawn in certain cases, but this depends on the type of game you’re playing.

If the Player or Banker hand wins, the winnings are paid out according to a set formula. The payouts are determined by the amount of money wagered on each hand, and a score sheet is available to keep track of them. A winning Banker hand is worth nine points, while a Player win is eight. A tie is worth nine points as well, but the payout on a tie bet is lower than the other two bets.

In addition to player and banker bets, there are several side bets you can make in baccarat. These bets pay out if the game ends with a specific outcome, and their odds vary by establishment or platform. The most common side bets include the Super Six and Pair Bets, which pay out based on a particular pattern that appears to repeat in each round of the game.

Before you start betting in a live casino, decide how much you’re willing to spend and stick to it. This will help you stay in control of your gambling habits and prevent you from going overboard. Baccarat is an exciting game, but you don’t want to go broke before the night is over. Make sure you use cash and only bet what you can afford to lose. Also, be sure to play for free baccarat games online before playing for real money. This way, you can try out different strategies without the pressure of losing real money.