Baccarat may have a reputation for glamour and exclusivity, but it’s actually one of the most straightforward casino games around. A few simple tips can help you make the most of this game of chance without sacrificing your bankroll.

First of all, you’ll want to understand how baccarat works. The table consists of two gaming spaces: the player’s space and the banker’s space. The dealer deals cards to each of these spaces. Once the cards are dealt, the winner is determined by whose hand comes closest to nine. If the hands are tied, the bettors get their money back. If a hand wins, the winning side will be paid eight times the amount wagered on that particular hand.

To start a hand, the dealer flips four cards in total. Two of these are for the player’s hand and the other two are for the banker’s hand. Then, you’ll place your bet on which side will win the round – the Banker, the Player, or a tie. The house edge on the Banker and Player bets is low, so most players stick to those bets. The Tie bet, on the other hand, has a much higher house edge, so most serious players avoid it.

Once you’ve placed your bets, the dealer will deal the cards. In a normal hand, the dealer will only deal two cards to each of the hands. The Player’s and the Banker’s hand will then be compared to see which is closer to nine. The goal is to get as close to nine as possible without going over. During this process, the pips (the dots on a playing card that indicate clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades) are worth zero and the ace is worth one point.

A ten and an eight will be worth fifteen points, while a seven and an ace are worth seven. The simplest way to calculate the score is by adding the value of each individual card. Once the cards reach a double-digit number, the second digit becomes the final score.

If you’re new to the game, a good tip is to practice proper money management. It’s easy to get carried away with the thrill of a baccarat hand, but you should always know how much you’re willing to spend and how long you want to play for. It’s also a good idea to use cash instead of credit, as this will give you more control over your spending. A good rule of thumb is to keep your winnings to less than a fifth of your total stake, and never gamble with more money than you can afford to lose. This will help you prevent gambling addiction.