From sticky-floor California card rooms to the tuxedo-laden casinos of Monaco, Baccarat is one of the most famous casino games in the world. It has long been the game of choice for Asian high rollers, and in recent years, it has made a resurgence in US casinos too. In fact, it is now a popular casino table game that is enjoyed by millions of players. But many American players are confused about the rules of the game and how to win at it.

It’s important to understand the game’s rules before playing baccarat. There are three basic bets in the game: a ‘Banker’ bet, a ‘Player’ bet and a ‘Tie’ bet. A ‘Banker’ bet predicts that the banker’s hand will have a value closer to nine. A ‘Player’ bet, on the other hand, predicts that the player’s hand will have a value closer. A ‘Tie’ bet predicts that both hands will have a value closest to 9.

To determine which hand has the highest score, players must know the cards’ values. Tens equal zero, kings and queens equal eight, and all other cards equal their face value. The ace, however, is worth one point. Players must also know when to draw a third card. If a hand totals six or seven, the banker must draw a third card. A hand with a total of eight or nine, on the other hand, is a ‘natural’ and cannot be drawn.

Lastly, it’s important to have a game plan before playing baccarat. It’s best to set a budget in advance and stick to it. This will help prevent you from getting carried away by the excitement of the game and spending more money than you intended to. It’s also a good idea to set a time limit for yourself and quit while you’re ahead.

Baccarat is a game of chance, and as with any casino game, there is always a house edge. This means that if you play the game for a long period of time, you will lose money over the long run. To minimize this risk, it is recommended that you use a baccarat strategy and learn the odds of each bet before placing your wagers.

A good baccarat strategy is to follow the 1-3-2-6 System, which is designed to manage a player’s bankroll and potential winnings. The system works by multiplying a player’s unit bet by the number of rounds played. For example, if your unit bet is $10, in the first round you would bet $20 (1 unit). If you win this round, you would then bet $30 (2 units) in the second round. This system reduces the amount of your final bet by two units, which can help you avoid large losses on a losing streak. This strategy is available at online baccarat sites.