Whether it’s in sticky-floor California card rooms or the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, baccarat has been played all over the world. Regardless of how you play it, however, the rules are relatively simple. The object of the game is to bet on a hand that will have a total closest to nine. It can be either the Player’s Hand, the Banker’s Hand or a tie. The first two have to beat the third hand in order to win, but the third hand also needs to be closer to nine than the other two hands.

While a lot of players shy away from the game, baccarat is actually one of the easiest casino games to understand. It’s a table game with simple rules, and it only takes a few rounds to get a feel for how the game works. It’s also one of the only casino games that doesn’t require a lot of memorizing, as card suits have no impact on the game’s outcome.

The game starts with one player announcing they want to “go bank.” Players then go in counterclockwise order and place their bets. Once everyone has placed their bets, the dealer deals two cards to each player and the banker. The Player and Banker hands are then tallied to determine the winner. The winning hand is the one that comes closest to nine without going over. If the player or banker bet wins, your stake will be paid out, or in the case of a tie, you will be compensated at odds of 8:1.

There are several side bets that can be made on baccarat, but the most common is the Tie bet. This pays 9:1 and is the best bet to make if you want to increase your chances of winning. The other major side bets are the Super Six and Pair Bets, which both pay less than the Tie bet.

While some players may not like these side bets, the promise of a larger payout can make them seem appealing. It’s important to remember, however, that these side bets have a much higher house edge than the Banker or Player bets. If you’re playing baccarat for real money, it’s always better to stick to the main bets and avoid these side bets if possible.

The biggest mistake that many baccarat players make is betting too early. It’s important to set a budget for your bankroll and to stick to it. Once you’ve learned how to play baccarat, you should start by betting $10 and increasing your bet by a small amount after each win. This will allow you to gradually increase your profits without putting too much risk on the table. Keeping this in mind will help you avoid the temptation to chase your losses and maximize your potential for long-term success.