Baccarat is a game that looks serious and elegant and may scare off the average gambler. But if you take a closer look at the table and understand the rules, you will find that it is one of the easiest games in the casino and offers one of the lowest house edges. It is this low edge that has attracted high rollers from all over the world to baccarat tables.

Players seated at the table will have from seven to 14 seats and two hands of cards dealt to them. The Player hand and the Banker hand. The goal is to have the Player or Banker hand total closest to nine when all of the pips (card suits that are clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades) on each card are added together. Tens and face cards are worth zero points, while aces count as one point. If the total of a hand exceeds nine, then the first digit is dropped, just as it is in poker.

The game is supervised by the Caller, who deals the cards from a dealing shoe using a device known as a “paddle.” After each deal, the caller announces the total of the hand. When the Player or Banker hands win, players receive a payout of 1:1. The only drawback is that a 5% commission is paid to the house on winning bets on the Banker’s hand.

Unlike blackjack, where players must memorize a long list of rules to determine when to hit or stand, Baccarat is very simple. There are standard house rules that establish when the Player and Banker hands will require a third card to reach a total. The Player hand will stay on a 6 or 7 and draw a third card when the total is 0-5.

The only other betting option is the Tie, which pays off eight to one, but the house has a very high edge on this bet and it is not recommended that you bet on it. If you are a high roller, the best choice is to bet on the Banker. But make sure you know the rules and be prepared to spend a few hours at the table. Just remember that this is gambling and luck will ultimately prevail. Just make sure to set your bankroll in advance before you start playing, and stick to it. It is important not to let your emotions get the better of you, as it will only lead to disappointment and frustration. Good luck and have fun!