Baccarat, which is often tucked away in high-roller gaming areas in casino floors and online, is an ancient game with a simple objective. Players place their chips on either the Player, Banker, or Tie. Two cards are dealt to each hand, and whichever total is closest to nine wins. The first digit of the total is dropped if the hand is over nine (for example, a seven and a six will be scored as 16). Face cards count as zero, and aces equal one.

While the Banker hand is an excellent bet with a low house edge, it has some disadvantages. In particular, the Banker must pay a 5% commission to the casino for winning bets. This can add up to a significant loss over time.

Luckily, there are some strategies that can help reduce the house edge. A popular baccarat strategy is to use the 1-3-2-4 system. This strategy helps players stretch their baccarat bankroll by limiting the amount they can lose per round. Basically, a player starts the game by betting two units, then increases their bet each round by one unit. If they lose, they start over from the beginning, which prevents them from putting all of their money on the table during losing streaks.

Baccarat players should also limit their losses by setting a loss limit. When a player’s losses reach this limit, they should stop playing and come back another day. This method will keep them from going broke and ensure they have a positive return on their investment. Lastly, players should avoid chasing their losses, as this can lead to poor decision-making and excessive gambling.

In addition to the main bets on a Player, Banker, or Tie, there are also side bets that can increase your chances of winning. These side bets, called ancillary bets, pay out according to their odds, which vary by establishment and platform.

The simplest of these bets is the Super Six Bet, which pays out 12x your initial bet amount if the Banker Hand wins with a score of 6. A Player Pair Bet is similar, but it requires the player to win both bets to earn the payout.

A more advanced strategy is to follow a pattern in which the Banker and Player hands alternate winning streaks. This approach may not be as exciting as a betting system, but it can keep your bankroll lasting longer than flat betting. Despite the fact that Baccarat is a slow-moving game, players can still make a good profit from it by following this strategy. This is especially true when the Banker hand hits.