Baccarat is one of the most popular casino card games worldwide. Its low house edge and high payout odds make it an ideal choice for many players. Its popularity has also been boosted by its appearance in a number of James Bond movies.

The game is simple to play, and the only real challenge comes from deciding how much to wager. Players place their bets on either the player, banker, or tie hand. Those who correctly predict a winning player or banker hand receive a 95% payout on their bet. Those who wager on the tie will get 8-to-1. A score sheet is available at all baccarat tables and can help you keep track of your win/loss/tie percentages.

In baccarat, the total of a hand is determined by adding up all of the pips (the dots on cards that indicate clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades). Nine is the highest possible score, while a 7 and a 6 count as two. In addition to this, the game requires that a total of 10 or more be rounded down to the nearest number (for example, a total of 16 would be rounded down to 5).

Although baccarat is a casino game that involves little skill, there are some strategies that can increase your chances of winning. The most common are betting systems and pattern systems. Betting systems are designed to maximize wins and minimize losses, particularly during losing streaks, while pattern systems prioritize anticipating the order of the cards in the baccarat shoe.