Baccarat is a card game that is a favorite of many casino players. It is simple to learn and offers a good chance of winning. While luck will play a large role in whether you win or lose, knowing the odds of the game can help you maximize your profits. In addition to knowing the odds, you can also improve your chances of winning by betting on certain patterns.

A baccarat table typically has six to eight decks of cards. The dealer and the player both place their bets before the cards are dealt. Each hand is analyzed to determine who has the higher score. The winner is the hand that is closest to 9. Aces count as one, while kings and queens are worth zero. The game is played with a specialized table cloth that allows the croupier to move the cards easily.

You can find baccarat games at many online casinos, though your choices will vary depending on where you live. You can also try a free baccarat game before you make your first real money bets. These games allow you to practice your strategy without the risk of losing any money. They are also a great way to meet other players and have fun.

A number of different baccarat strategies are available, with some focusing on minimizing losses during losing streaks and others concentrating on anticipating the order of the cards in the baccarat shoe. There are even a few methods that have become controversial, like edge sorting, which Phil Ivey used to earn more than $10 million at two casinos in Atlantic City.