Baccarat has long been one of the most popular casino games. It is often associated with high rollers and luxury, but it’s also accessible for players on a budget. This game has a small house edge, and it offers the best return on your bets when compared to other casino games like slots and roulette.

In baccarat, players bet on either the Player hand, the Banker’s hand, or a Tie. The goal is to get a total closer to nine than the other hand. The rules are slightly different depending on whether you play the Punto Banco or Chemin de Fer form of the game, but the principles are the same.

A Player or a Banker is dealt two cards, and a winner is determined by whose total is closest to 9. If the hand has three digits, only the first digit counts, as in the case of an 8 and a 7. Then, wagers are paid out accordingly.

Baccarat is a popular casino game worldwide, particularly in Asia, where it has become the top source of revenue for many casinos. The popularity of the game is partly due to its ease of gameplay, but it is also a result of its low house edge. According to Bill Zender, a former Nevada Gaming Control Agent, casino dealer, and executive who literally wrote the book on managing casino games, the house edge in baccarat is only 1.06%.