Baccarat is a casino game that is played with eight decks of cards. All cards, except for Aces, have a number value. Players start the game by placing a bet on the Banker or Player. The objective of the game is to get as close to nine points as possible.

Baccarat originated in France and Italy and is now a popular game all over the world. Its popularity in the United States has decreased in recent years. However, it retains a strong following in Continental Europe and Russia. The game is an excellent way to test your luck and learn more about different casino strategies.

When playing baccarat, the active player receives two cards. These cards are dealt face down. The banker then draws a third card. In order to draw a third card, the banker’s total must be lower than the active player’s. The player must also make a choice to call or not.

The best strategy for baccarat is to bet on the Banker. Although the house edge on this bet is 1.24 percent, it is still the safest bet to place. In addition, this bet has the lowest house advantage. When choosing the right bet for your game, you must make sure to understand the odds of each bet before you make a bet.