Baccarat is one of the most popular casino games in the world. Despite its intimidating exterior, it’s easy to learn and play. There are only three possible outcomes per hand, and the game can be played in just a few minutes. There are also some simple strategies to help players maximize their chances of winning. However, baccarat can be addictive, so it is important to set limits on how much money you want to spend before playing. This way, you will not get carried away and lose more than what you intended.
The game is dealt from a shoe, which is usually six or eight standard cards. The cards from two to nine are worth their face value, while tens, jacks, and queens are worth zero points. The ace is worth one point. The Banker and Player hands are dealt two cards each, and whoever is closest to a total of nine wins. In some cases, a third card may be drawn.
Baccarat is known for its glamour, and the game has been featured in many movies. It was the favourite game of James Bond, a fictional character created by Ian Fleming. The 1953 novel Casino Royal revolves around a game between Bond and the SMERSH trade union operative Le Chiffre. In the 2007 film Rush Hour 3, main characters James Carter and Genevieve first meet in a Paris casino while playing baccarat. They are both unaware of the rules, so Carter bets he has a win while Genevieve covers for him.