Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games on the planet. It’s simple, slow-paced, and full of fun. It is also a game that is surprisingly easy to learn and offers a low house edge.

Baccarat involves betting on either the Player or Banker hand. The goal is to have a hand with a value closest to nine. Cards numbered 2 to 9 hold their face value, while the Ace counts as 1.

When players place their bets, the dealer deals two cards to the Player and Banker hands. The winner of the hand is whoever’s total is closest to 9. There are several rules that govern when to draw a third card and how to determine when the game is a “Natural.”

The first step in learning to play baccarat is understanding the rules. The game is played on large tables that can seat up to 14 players. Usually, the croupier uses a palette to move around the cards on the table without having to leave their spot. This allows them to easily collect and distribute the cards at the end of each hand.

During the course of a hand, the dealer will sum up the values of the Player and Banker hands. Then, they will decide if the Player or Banker should receive a third card. If the Player’s total is 8 or 9, the game ends immediately and no third card will be drawn.

In addition to betting on the Player or Banker hand, players can also bet on a tie. The odds for a tie are typically 9 to 1, although some casinos offer slightly better odds of 8 to 1.

Players can make their bets before the cards are dealt by placing their chips in one of three boxes labelled Player, Banker, or Tie. Each box represents a different outcome of the game and can be adjusted for each round. Once all bets have been placed, the dealer will deal a single card to each box and reveal them to the players.

Baccarat’s popularity as an online casino game is largely thanks to its presence in popular films. The game has appeared in numerous movies featuring Ian Fleming’s James Bond character, including the 1954 film version of Dr. No, where Bond plays the game to bankrupt his adversary Le Chiffre; Thunderball; On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; and For Your Eyes Only. In addition, a number of television series have featured the game as well.