Baccarat is a card game that is often associated with high stakes. It is a simple game to learn, and has an elegance that draws in even the most casual casino-goer. The rules vary slightly depending on whether you’re playing the Punto Banco or chemin de fer (the French variation) version of the game, but it’s basically the same. You bet on the Player, Banker or Tie hand that will have the highest total value after all cards are dealt. Nine is the best possible score, which is why Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond so frequently ends up with a victory when he plays baccarat.

Baccarat can be played at many online casinos. Once you’ve signed up, the software will provide you with a virtual table and a betting area. In the middle of the betting areas are the Player, Banker and Tie sections, which represent different bets you can make.

Before any cards are dealt, you must place your bet. Then two cards will be dealt to the Player and the Banker hands, with the aim being to get a hand with a value closest to 9. Each card has a different value, and when adding up the total points of the hand, only the tens digit is taken into account. Cards numbered one through nine are worth their face value, while the ace is worth only one point.

After both hands are dealt, the dealer will announce that “No more bets.” Then they’ll deal a second card to the Banker hand, followed by another card to the Player box. If you bet on the Player hand and win, you’ll receive a 1:1 payout, but you’ll have to pay a 5% commission on winning Banker bets (which effectively reduces their payout odds to 8-to-1).

The banker hand is usually a better bet, as it has a lower house edge than the player side. However, the odds of either side winning will fluctuate throughout a game, so you’ll need to decide which bets to make carefully. If you’re feeling lucky, it might be wise to double your bet after a win. This way, you can maximise your chances of a big payout. It might seem like a risky strategy, but the long-term profits can be substantial. This is why many players choose to bet on a single side of the table – the banker side, for example. The low house edge on this bet makes it a good option for consistent, long-term profit.