Baccarat is an elegant casino game that has long been associated with luxury and sophistication. It is the game that Jay Gatsby played at one of his famous parties in the 2013 film “The Great Gatsby.”

However, it isn’t limited to high rollers. The game can be enjoyed by players of any budget, especially if they make smart choices about which bets to place. Whether you prefer to bet on the Player, Banker or Tie, there are several tips and strategies that can help you lower your house edge and collect massive payouts.

The basic rules of baccarat are easy to understand, but it can be confusing at first to determine which bet is the best one for your money. You can bet on either the Player hand, the Banker’s hand or a tie, and you must decide before the cards are dealt. Once your bets are placed, the croupier will deal two cards to the player and two to the banker. The goal is to get a hand that totals closest to nine. The value of the hand is determined by adding the values of the individual cards and deducting the tens digit from the result. For example, a seven and a six total 13 points but a seven and three are worth five.

When either the player or banker hands have a total of 8 or 9 on the initial two cards, the round ends and bets are paid. If the hand doesn’t total 8 or 9, a third card may be drawn. The croupier must draw a third card on a hand with a 0-5 score, but will stand when a hand is 6 or 7.

In addition to the main bets, players can also place side bets. These wagers are offered on the left side of the table and pay out if the outcome matches your bet. The most popular side bet is the Banker Pair, which pays out if the banker gets a pair (two matching cards). A Player Pair bet is paid out if the player gets a pair.

Baccarat is a simple game, but it’s not without its risks. The game can be addictive, and the stakes are high for the players who choose to play. If you’re not careful, you can lose a lot of money quickly. It’s important to know the rules of the game before you start playing, and to keep your bets low until you feel comfortable. Also, remember to check the rules of each online baccarat game before you play. Some games use different number of decks, which can have a big impact on the house edge.