Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games still played today, but it has numerous variations. The most popular version of the game is Punto Banco, but there are also variants like baccarat chemin de fer and baccarat banque.

Baccarat is a simple card game that relies on chance. Players place their bets on which hand will win – either the Player hand, the Banker hand or a tie. The game is simple enough for beginners to play, but mastering baccarat requires more than just understanding the rules and betting options. Using strategies can help you manage your bankroll and approach the game with a more structured plan.

Originally invented in 1500s Rome, Italy, it’s believed that Baccarat was created by Felix Falguiere. The name comes from the Italian word for zero, a reference to the fact that tens and face cards are worth nothing. Baccarat quickly gained popularity in Europe, then spread to Asia and the United States. Today, baccarat is the world’s most popular casino card game and can be found in casinos around the globe.

The game is played on a large table that can accommodate up to 14 players. Bettors place their bets on the Player, Banker or Tie outcome of each round. The game starts with a shoe, containing eight decks of cards that are shuffled before each dealing. The croupier announces the total of each hand and, if appropriate, calls for a third card for the player or banker. Once the result is announced, losing bets are collected and winning bets paid out.

Before the cards are dealt, a player may choose to “go bank” by placing a bet equal in size to the total of the banker’s stake. In baccarat banque, the banker position is permanent, unless they withdraw or run out of money to bet with. Then the role is passed to the next player who wants to be banker, or a new croupier may be hired.

Once everyone has placed their bets, the croupier deals four cards to each player. The first two cards are the Player’s and Banker’s hands. The croupier then announces the result, with the winning side being the one that gets closest to nine. The croupier will then pay out the bets according to the odds. A bet on the banker’s hand wins more often than the player’s, but a win on the banker’s hand is not guaranteed.