Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games out there, and for good reason. It is simple to learn, easy to play, and offers the potential for large payouts. Its low house edge and reliance on luck also make it a great choice for players who want to enjoy the thrill of gambling without having to spend too much time at the table.

The game is played with either six or eight standard decks of cards and the objective is to correctly predict which hand will win or tie. Card suits have no significance in baccarat and the value of each hand is determined by its total, with only the rightmost digit being taken into account. A hand made up of 8 and a 7 is worth nine points while a 10 and a 6 would be worth six.

After all bets have been placed, the dealer will deal two cards to each box. The first card will be placed in the Player box and then a second card will be dealt to the Banker box. If the total of the first two cards is equal to or greater than 9 or 8, the hand is a winner and the player and banker bets will be paid out accordingly. If not, a third card may be drawn (under certain rules) and the hand totals will be compared once again.

In addition to the basic baccarat rules, there are many variations on the game that are designed to increase the excitement and rewards of playing the game. For example, EZ Baccarat pays even money on both the banker and player bets, while Dragon 7 adds an extra side bet that pays 40:1 if the banker wins with a three-card 6.