Baccarat is a simple and fun casino game that is primarily luck-based. Unlike other table games like blackjack or roulette, which have numerous wager options, baccarat offers just three basic bets: Player’s Hand, Banker’s Hand, and Tie. The winning hand is the one that totals closest to 9. Before playing, you should know how much money you want to spend and set a budget. This will help you stay in control and avoid overspending. Moreover, you should also learn about different betting systems and strategies, such as Martingale, which is a popular system for games that pay even money.

The game was developed in Italy and spread to France, where it became known as baccarat chemin de fer or baccarat a deux tableaux. This version of the game differs from its ancestor in two ways: First, players play against each other rather than the dealer; and second, the banker role rotates regularly.

A game of baccarat begins when the banker sets an initial amount. Then, in counterclockwise order, the players announce whether they want to go bank and then bet against the banker’s amount. Then the cards are dealt, and if either the player or banker wins, a new round begins.

Baccarat side bets are offered in some online casinos, including Super Six and Pair Bets. These bets are placed alongside the initial Player and Banker bets and pay out according to their odds. A Super Six bet pays out 12x the original bet amount if the Banker’s hand totals 6 points or more, while a Pair Bet pays out 9x the initial bet if the Player or Banker’s hands are equal in value.