Baccarat is the card game that evokes images of men in tuxedos and women in elegant dresses laying down chips while the dealer distributes cards. But despite its mystique, baccarat is a game that is easy to understand and fun to play. In fact, it is one of the easiest casino games to pick up.

In its modern form, the game is based on a simple principle: The Banker and Player sides work together to have a hand that is closest to nine points. Aside from the aforementioned Banker and Player bets, players can also place wagers on a Tie Bet, Super Six Bet, or Pair Bet.

Unlike some other casino games, in baccarat participants don’t touch the cards at all, and the dealer deals them out from an enclosed shoe. The player and Banker sides then try to predict which hand will come closer to a total of 9. The hand with the highest total wins.

The game was formerly played with the Player and Banker hands concealed: only their third card (if called for) would be revealed. After all decisions have been made, the dealer will pay out or collect the bets according to the results.

The game pays out based entirely on the bet you make, with Player and Banker bets paying even money (except at DraftKings where the Banker bet is subject to a standard 5% commission). However, betting on the tie offers a higher return than the Player or Banker bet, as the odds of a tie are long.