Baccarat is often seen as a casino game for the elite, with high stakes and a history dating back to the gambling salons of Italy and France. However, it’s grown in popularity over the past 30 years and is now a staple in casinos across Europe and the United States. In fact, a recent Forbes Passport article by Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control Agent and casino dealer who literally wrote the book on managing casino games, reports that Asian high rollers have made baccarat their game of choice.

Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced player, baccarat can be a lot of fun and is one of the easiest games to play in a casino. A simple bet on either the Player or Banker hand pays out 1:1 and carries a low house edge of just 1.24%. Players can also make a Tie bet, which offers an eight to one payout but has a much higher house edge of over 14 percent.

The game has been around for centuries, although it is not clear exactly when or where it was invented. Some experts believe it spun off from pai gow, an ancient Chinese tile game. Others suggest it may have been influenced by the tarot card game. The first recorded use of baccarat was in the Napoleonic era, when it became popular among French nobility. In the 19th century, a version known as Baccarat Banque evolved into the faster, more modern Punto Banco game that’s played today.

In Baccarat, cards are dealt two at a time and the goal is to have the hand you’re betting on (either Player or Banker) come closest to nine. Each card is worth its face value and tens count as zero. Aces, on the other hand, count as one. A score of eight or nine is a win and the remaining digit is the total.

If the Player or Banker hands total nine on their first two cards, the game is over and placed bets are paid out. If either of the hands totals more than nine, a third card is drawn based on the rules. If the third card doesn’t change the hand’s total, the bet is lost.

If you’re a newcomer to the game, it’s important to understand how the game works before playing. A reputable online casino will explain the rules of the game and give you a practice table where you can try out different strategies before playing for real money. You’ll be able to learn how to deal the cards, place bets and how to calculate the odds of winning. Baccarat is a game of chance, but there are certain betting systems that can help you manage your bankroll and approach the game with a more structured plan. You can find out more about these strategies in our guide to baccarat.