Baccarat is a classic casino card game that has long been popular in casinos around the world. It is a game of pure luck, but one that offers plenty of opportunity to win big cash. Often played in high-roller rooms, baccarat is considered the most glamorous and exciting of all casino games.

Its popularity is a result of its simple rules, low house edge and exciting variations. There are several types of baccarat online, and each has its own unique rules and side bets. Choosing the right version is a key decision to make when playing live baccarat online, and it is important to know how each variation works before you place your first bet.

The game begins when two hands, called the Player’s and Banker’s, are dealt. Each hand has its own betting area. Once all the cards are dealt, the total of points is summed up. If the total is 9 or lower, the player’s hand wins; if it is higher, the banker’s hand will win.

In addition to the two main bets, which are Player and Banker, a third bet is also available called the Tie bet. The Tie bet is not as popular as the other two, but it is a great way to increase your chances of winning. It is usually the least expensive bet on the table, and it has a lower house edge than the other two.

Players choose a bet amount, then the dealer deals cards to each of the hands. If a pair of cards totals nine, then the first digit is dropped to 0; if a two-card hand totals eight or higher, then the second digit is dropped to 10; and if a three-card hand totals six or higher, then the first digit is dropped to 2.

Each hand is compared against the other two, and whichever has the lowest count wins. The highest count is 9 (natural), but this is not always possible.

During the game, the player can also opt to draw a third card. The third card is dealt face-up and may either be the banker’s or the player’s. If the player draws a third card, then they stand with their original bet; if they draw a second card, then they lose their entire stake.

It is very easy to play baccarat, but it’s important to understand the rules and be aware of the risks involved before you make any real money bets. For this reason, most casinos offer a free baccarat game to help players learn the game’s rules and develop their strategy.

The game is usually played with six or eight decks of cards, which are shuffled before being dealt. The numbers on each card have their own value, but all tens, Jacks, Queens and Kings count as zero, and aces count as one.

Some casinos will even offer a 9:1 payout for winning Tie bets, so be sure to check the payout and house edge of each wager before you place your bet.