Baccarat, often considered a game reserved for high rollers or suave patrons like James Bond, is actually a very simple and fun casino game. The best part is that it has one of the lowest house edges in all of casino games, meaning you are much more likely to make a profit than you would playing roulette or slots.

In baccarat, players place bets on either the Player hand, Banker hand or a Tie. After the bets are placed, two cards are dealt to each hand and the winner is determined by which hand has a final digit closest to nine. The rules vary slightly depending on whether you are playing the classic punto banco or the more sophisticated “chemin de fer” version of the game. The cards are dealt from a six or eight-deck shoe. The tens, jacks and queens count as zero, the aces as one and all other cards equal their face value.

The highest possible total is nine, but the cards cannot go above this number. If they do, the player must subtract ten or drop the first numeral to get their new total. The dealer must follow this rule as well.

Baccarat is played in the high limit sections of casinos, but it is also offered on the main floor in some casinos. Its popularity has increased in recent years as Asian high rollers have made it their game of choice. While it is still a premium table game, it has moved from the James Bond pageantry of tuxedoed dealers and double tables to a more traditional single table that looks a lot like a blackjack game. The minimum bets also have dropped.

If you’re planning to play baccarat, you should know that etiquette dictates that you do not sit at the table while a session is in progress. If you want to watch the action, ask the host to seat you in a specific spot. You’ll need to add your chips to the area where you’d like to bet before the game starts.

Once the game has begun, you can’t change your bets or raise them. That’s why it is a good idea to study the game beforehand and familiarize yourself with the rules and betting structures. If you’re interested in learning the game, a good book to start with is Bill Zender’s “Managing Casino Games.”

To improve your chances of winning at baccarat, try a strategy that combines flat betting and patterns. Start by looking at the results from the previous hand and determine if there is a zigzag or streak pattern. Then make alternate bets on the player and banker hands based on that trend. This strategy can lead to a big win, but be sure to stick to your budget and always monitor your outlay. The best way to protect yourself is by setting a win/loss threshold for each session and sticking to it. By following these tips, you can learn how to win at baccarat like a pro.