The game of baccarat is played at dedicated tables that can seat up to 14 players. Unlike poker, which requires a high level of strategic thinking, baccarat is a more straightforward card game. Players wager on either the Player or Banker hand, aiming for a total closest to nine. Cards 2 through 9 are worth their respective values, and Aces count as one (never 11). Counting the cards is a key element of baccarat, and score sheets are available at live baccarat tables to help players keep track.

Baccarat is popular with players from Asian countries, where the game is rooted in culture. However, its popularity as a glamorous pastime has declined among non-Asian casino guests. It also doesn’t offer the same opportunities for risk-taking and creative thinking as other casino games, such as bridge or hearts.

Regardless of a player’s skill or strategy, the odds of winning are roughly the same for both the banker and player hands. Players can choose to place a bet on the player side, but must pay a 5% commission if they win. The best option is to bet on the banker hand, but only when using a betting system that provides even money payouts.

More advanced baccarat players use pattern systems to reduce the house edge. These strategies involve watching the shoes to see when double-win streaks appear for both the banker and player hands. Then, they make predictions about which hand will come nearest to nine when the next round is played. Those who correctly predict a winning player or banker hand qualify for 1 to 1 payouts, while a successful tie bet pays 8-to-1.