Baccarat, or ba:k@ra:t in French, is the world’s most popular card game. It is a simple table game that combines luck with strategic betting and is easy to learn. The game has two opposing sides: the player hand and the banker hand, and the winner is whichever hand totals closest to 9. All cards are worth their face value, except for 10s and face cards which have a value of zero, and all totals over nine have their first digit subtracted.

Baccarat is often considered an elite casino game, associated with high stakes and luxury, but it can be played for any bankroll. Players may place bets on either the Player or Banker hand, or on a tie. If a player bets on the banker hand, they must pay a commission to the casino that varies by location. This commission is the only way that casinos can make money from the game, as it reduces the winnings of the player.

The game begins with the banker placing an initial bet and then letting other players take turns to raise their stake in counterclockwise order. Each time a player decides to raise their stake, the banker must match them at the same amount. Once all players have raised their stakes, the banker will deal two cards to himself and to one of the bettors’ hands. Then the hands are compared and the bettors’ bets are paid out.

If the Player hand totals 9 or higher, no further cards are drawn. If the banker total is 8 or 9, they will stand and no third card is drawn. If the banker total is 6 or less, they must draw a third card if the Player hand has a 7. The banker will also always draw a third card if the Player or Banker have a 5 or 6.

In baccarat banque, the dealer is more permanent than in baccarat en ligne, and they only resign if they wish to retire or run out of money to stake. A new player then becomes banker by announcing their desire to do so or offering the same amount as the previous banker’s stake. The new banker then deals the next hand in the same manner.

Baccarat is a fast-paced game that only takes 30 seconds to complete a hand, but it can wipe out a bankroll in just minutes. That’s why many casino players choose to play a slower version of the game called mini-baccarat, which uses fewer decks of cards and is easier to understand for beginners. Some casinos even offer a free version of the game to get players familiar with its rules. The game is also known for its large payouts on wins at Super Six, Pairs, and Tie Bets.