Baccarat (pronounced bah-kahr-AT) is an elegant casino game that has gained a reputation for sophistication and is associated with wealth. It is played with seven to 14 seats for players and a dealer area. Two hands of cards are dealt each round: one to the banker and one to the player. The object of the game is to place a bet on which hand totals closest to nine without going over. A nine-point hand is considered the best hand, while a five or six is the second best hand. Picture cards and ten value cards have zero points, while aces count as one point.
After the two hands are dealt, a third card is drawn for the banker and the bettors. The hands are then compared and the one with the highest value wins. In the event of a tie, your bet is returned to you. You can also bet on a tie and receive eight times your bet amount.
The Banker bet is usually the better option as it offers a lower house edge than the Player bet, even though you have to pay a 5% commission on winning bets. The game is not difficult to learn, but it can be challenging to manage your bankroll. It is important to set a budget and stick to it. This will keep you from chasing your losses and going over your limit. It is also a good idea to spread your bets around, instead of placing all your money on one hand.
