Baccarat is a game of chance and strategy that can be played by one to eight players, but is typically played with just two hands. It is a table game, and there are several rules that must be followed in order to play it successfully. Players place bets on either the Player or Banker hand. The winning hand is the one that comes closest to 9 in total points. When the point value goes over nine, the first digit is dropped. For example, a 7 and an 8 would total 15, but in Baccarat the value is 5.

The game’s rules are simple and easy to learn. There are three types of bets: Player Bet, Banker’s Bet, and Tie. Each of these bets can be made with different amounts, and each has its own odds of winning. Players must be aware of the rules in order to make the most informed decision about how much to wager.

Six decks of cards are used, and they are shuffled together before the deal starts. The dealer then deals two cards to the Player and the Banker. The winner is the hand with the highest total when all the pips (the dots on a card that represent clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades) are added up. The cards are ranked from ten to nine, with picture cards and the ace counting as zero points. The total of the cards must be a number between nine and eight, with no more than a 9.

In Baccarat, a third option is the tie bet, which pays out if both hands come up with equal numbers. However, the house edge on this bet is 14 percent, so it is not a popular choice for most players. Instead, most players stick to placing a bet on either the player or banker hand.

Once the initial Player and Banker hands are dealt, they will each draw a third card depending on the initial total. The drawing rules are predetermined, and the players cannot influence if or when a third card is drawn.

The game has a long history, dating back to the 14th century in Italy. It then moved to France, where it became a favorite of King Charles VIII and the nobles in his court. From there, it spread across the globe and is now enjoyed by high rollers around the world. Its elegance and prestige have made it the star of many films and books, including the 1953 debut novel Casino Royal, which featured fictional smooth-talking spy James Bond as a keen Baccarat player.