Baccarat is a casino game that involves betting on the numbers on the table. It is a game of chance but requires a certain level of skill and strategy to succeed. It is the game of choice for many pro players, but it can be quite easy for beginners to learn how to play. The objective of the game is to hit the closest number to nine without going over.

The game uses standard 52-card decks that are shuffled together. Each card rank is assigned a numerical value. For instance, ace cards have a value of one while twos and nines carry a value of zero. This rule also applies to face cards and ten-pip cards.

The player must place a bet before the game begins. The amount of money staked must be equal to the total of the two hands. The player must first select a hand with a number close to nine. Then, the player must place a wager on the outcome of the hand. In the game, tens and face cards are worth zero while the other cards score their face value.

A player can choose to bet on either the Player or the Banker. The Player will draw a card if he has a score of 0-4, while the Banker will stay on a hand that has a score of five, six, or seven. If the total of the hands reaches nine, the winning hand will be the one with the most points. If the total is less than nine, the game will be a tie.