Baccarat is a game that can be complicated for new players. However, understanding the rules of the game will help you make smart decisions and minimize your losses. The objective of the game is to bet on either the Banker Hand or the Player Hand, or on a tie. The game is played with eight cards and the winning hand is the one closest to nine points. Cards are worth their face value except for tens and face cards which have zero points. The game also has special rules for when a third card will be drawn.

Set a Budget: It is important to set a budget for the amount you are willing to spend before playing Baccarat. This way, you will not get carried away by the excitement of the game and risk losing more money than you can afford to lose. In addition, a good rule to follow is to treat gambling money as you would any other entertainment expense. It is best to play short sessions and avoid the Tie bet, which has the highest house edge.

Practice in Free Games: Many online casinos offer baccarat games in free mode. These games are a great way to get a feel for the game before you start betting real money. You can even try different strategies and see which ones work for you.

Choose a Casino With Fewer Decks: Baccarat games with fewer decks of cards tend to have lower house edges on the Banker bet. In addition, fewer decks of cards will make the game less volatile and reduce your risk of losing streaks.

Know When to Stop: It is important to remember that the odds of winning in baccarat are slim, so it is important to quit while you are ahead. It can be tempting to keep betting more money, but this will only lead to huge losses.

Understand the Third Card Rules: The game of baccarat requires some basic knowledge of the rules and strategy to win. First, players must understand the maximum total a hand can achieve with two cards. The maximum total is 9, but if the total exceeds 10, the first digit must be dropped. For example, a three and seven card hand will have a total of 15, but the number will be reduced to 3.

Another thing to know is that a third card may be drawn in certain situations, including when the Banker or Player Hand wins with six points. These rules can be confusing for new players, but there are charts that will automatically tell the dealer whether to draw a card or not. Some of these charts also include information about when a Super Six bet is paid out and when a Pair Bet is paid out. These charts will help players be more accurate and will save them time and energy. The charts also explain how to calculate the payouts for each bet. These charts are available in most Baccarat tables.