Baccarat is one of the most exciting games in a casino, and it can also be very rewarding. It is important to play responsibly, set a spending limit and walk away when you’ve reached your goal. This will keep you from chasing losses and make the game more fun for everyone at the table.

In a typical round of Baccarat, two cards are dealt to the Banker’s and Player’s hands. If the total of these two cards is 8 or 9, it is a natural win and all placed bets are paid out. If neither hand has an 8 or 9 on the first two cards, a third card is drawn according to different rules depending on the initial total of the Banker’s or Player’s hand.

If the third card is a 9, the player or banker wins the round. If the third card is a 4, 6, or 7, the player or banker loses. If the third card is a 5 or 8, both the player and banker must draw a third card.

The cards are then compared and the hand with the closest value to nine wins. If the cards are equal, a tie bet is paid out. If the hand is a seven or eight, only the rightmost digit is used to determine the hand value. Tens, jacks, queens, and kings count as zero, while aces count as one.

As with other casino games, Baccarat offers a variety of side bets to wager on other than the Player, Banker, or Tie. These side bets are not included in the game’s underlying odds and vary by establishment or platform. These bets can be made before the dealing round begins and pay out at a variety of odds, including Banker Pair (11:1) and Player Pair (5:1).

Regardless of your betting strategy, the most important thing to remember when playing baccarat is that you’re gambling with real money. Whether it’s a small amount or a lot, set a bankroll and stick to it. This will help you avoid getting into trouble and ensure that you don’t end up losing more than you can afford to lose.