Baccarat (pronounced ba:k@raet, bak-a-ra:) is a game of chance that has gained popularity with casino players and the general public. It is played in casinos under several different names including punto banco, baccarat chemin de fer, and baccarat banque (or deux tableaux). Baccarat is a game of choice for the wealthy and high rollers and can be a lucrative gambling activity when you know how to play it properly.

The goal of the game is to bet on a hand, Player or Banker, to have the final number closest to nine when all of the pips (the dots on a card that represent clubs, spades, diamonds and hearts) are added up. Two cards are dealt to each hand, and sometimes a third one is drawn. The winner is the hand with a total closest to 9.

There are a few basic baccarat strategies that can be used to improve your chances of winning. For example, playing short sessions and setting a limit on the number of rounds you will play in each session can help minimize your losses. Additionally, choosing baccarat games that use fewer decks will help reduce the house edge on the Banker bet.

Baccarat is a popular game for all types of gamblers, and is available at many online casinos. Some offer a new player bonus for signing up, and others have specific bonuses or promotions to attract loyal players. FanDuel, for instance, has a great new player offer that can give you up to $1000 to play with!