Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games worldwide. It has gained a reputation for sophistication and is often associated with luxury. The game is played at brick-and-mortar casinos, as well as online gambling platforms. While it may seem complicated at first glance, the rules of baccarat are simple and easy to understand. While the game is primarily luck-based, you can use different strategies to increase your chances of winning.

In the world of baccarat, there are many variations that offer unique gameplay and payouts. Some of them have different house edges, while others have special rules that differ from the standard version. It is important to familiarize yourself with the varying rules and payouts before betting real money.

Once you have settled on the type of baccarat you want to play, you will need to choose between backing the Banker’s hand, the Player’s hand, or the Tie. The dealer will then deal the cards. Once the players and the banker have their hands, they are compared and the one with a total closer to 9 wins. The value of the hand is determined by adding up the sum of the two cards and using only the rightmost digit.

Once the results are known, the banker and the players will be paid according to their wagers. You can also make side bets on the outcome of the game, such as a Lucky 6 bet, which pays out 12:1 for a 2-card 6 and 20:1 for 3-card 6. While this strategy can boost your odds, it is not recommended for beginners as it increases the risk of losing your money.