Baccarat is a classic casino game that can be played with eight or six decks of cards and is typically dealt from a shoe. The house rules of each baccarat game are different and you should check with the dealer before playing.

There is no skill involved in baccarat, and it’s a game of chance. The objective of the game is to predict which hand will be closest to a total of 9 points. In Macau, baccarat is the most popular casino game and accounts for over 88 percent of all casinos’ revenue.

The first step in playing baccarat is to decide how much you’re willing to risk. The minimum bets vary from casino to casino, but $20-$25 seems to be a popular range.

Keep notes on your past wins and losses so you know how to adjust your betting strategy based on previous results. This helps you avoid overspending and chasing winning streaks.

Follow the 1-3-2-6 system: This baccarat strategy works like flat betting but reduces the bet by two units. It’s easy to implement and can help players stretch their bankroll across more games.

Use a zigzag and streak pattern: This baccarat strategy is similar to flat betting but focuses on two trends in the shoe: zigzags and double win streaks. When a double streak occurs, bet on the banker or player hand accordingly until the streak ends.

This baccarat strategy is simple to implement but can lead to a lot of tactical watching and betting. It’s also a great way to reduce the house edge in this casino game.