Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in the world. It is a game of chance where luck takes the lead and strategies can only do so much. In the long run, the house will always win. It is a very glamorous game and it can be played for large stakes. In fact, it is usually played in a separate area of the casino where high-denomination cash is used. In American casinos, this is in the form of $100 bills, while European casinos use oblong chips known as plaquettes.

The objective of baccarat is to get as close as possible to nine points. The hand closest to this number wins. The point score of a hand is determined by adding up the values of all cards dealt. Face cards and 10s are worth zero points, while all other numbers are worth their value. Ace cards are worth one point.

Players can bet on the player’s hand, the banker’s hand or on a tie. Once the bets are placed, the dealer deals the cards. The player’s hand and the banker’s hand are then compared to see which one comes closer to nine.

If the player’s hand is the closest to nine, it is a “natural.” A natural is considered a winning bet and pays out 8 times the amount of the bet. A banker bet, on the other hand, pays 1:1 minus commission. Baccarat is so popular that it has generated many variations and side bets.