Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games, and it continues to attract a huge number of gamblers at both land-based casinos and online. This is partly because it’s a game of pure chance that doesn’t require any skill, and the house edge is lower than that of most other casino games.

To begin a round, two cards are dealt to the banker hand and the player hand. The winning hand is the one that totals closest to nine (without going over). If neither hand contains a natural, a third card may be drawn to decide the winner. A winning tie bet is paid out at odds of around 8:1 (although this may vary according to the casino and variant of baccarat you are playing).

Before placing your wager, it’s important to understand the rules of baccarat. For instance, it’s important to know that a winning banker hand will pay out 1 to 1. However, in order to receive this payout, players must pay a 5% commission.

Before playing, it’s also crucial to establish your bankroll and spend limits. This will help you to keep control of your gambling spending and avoid getting carried away by the excitement of the game. It’s also a good idea to know when to walk away from the table. Remember that if you lose more than you want to, it’s time to quit.