Baccarat is a casino card game that has earned a reputation for elegance and sophistication. It’s commonly associated with high stakes and luxury casinos, and it even made an appearance in the 2013 movie The Great Gatsby. Baccarat is easy to learn and can be played by anyone with a desire to win big. Whether you’re new to the game or an experienced player, there are a few things you should know before starting your first round of baccarat.

The best way to get familiar with the game is to practice for free online. Free baccarat games are a great way to build your skills without the pressure of playing for real money. They also allow you to make mistakes without worrying about losing your hard-earned cash.

When you’re ready to play for real money, you’ll want to find a reputable online baccarat site. Look for one with a high payout rate and low house edge. You’ll also want to find a site that offers a wide variety of betting options, including the ability to place side bets.

Before you begin playing baccarat, it’s important to set a budget and stick to it. Baccarat is a game of chance, and it’s easy to lose more than you’re willing to spend. Decide how much you want to spend in advance, and treat it like money you’d spend on a night out.

The minimum bet for baccarat varies from casino to casino, but 20-$25 is a common minimum. After putting your bet, the dealer will deal cards based on the baccarat rules. The winner is the hand that’s closest to 9. Baccarat can be played with up to eight standard decks of cards.

Generally, the player and banker hands will be dealt two cards each. A third card is drawn only when the first hand totals nine. If the first hand totals a number other than nine, you must subtract ten from the total or drop the first numeral to determine the winning hand.

The tie bet has the highest house edge in baccarat, so it’s best to avoid it if you’re looking to maximize your chances of winning. Instead, bet on the banker hand to increase your chances of winning. The banker’s hand will pay out 1:1, but you’ll have to pay a small 5% commission to the house. This is still a better option than the Tie bet, which has a house edge of over 14%.