Baccarat is a game of chance, but there are strategies that can increase your chances of winning. It is a popular casino card game that has been around for centuries, and it was made famous by James Bond in the Ian Fleming novels and movies. Baccarat is easy to play and offers a low house edge compared to other casino games. It also features a variety of side bets that add excitement to the game and give players a chance to win big money.

A player or banker wins if the hand is closest to nine points. If the player and banker have a similar total, a third card is drawn to determine the winner. Neither the Player nor the Banker can have more than three cards in their hands. The Banker’s winning bet is paid out 1 to 1. A Banker loses if the hand is seven or less, or if it is tied with the Player.

Some advanced baccarat players use a pattern system to help them reduce the house edge and improve their odds of winning. This strategy uses flat betting and looks for zigzag and double streak patterns in shoe results. If a player notices a zigzag pattern, they should make alternate bets on the banker and player hands. If they see a double win streak, they should stop betting on the banker and player and switch to bets on the other hand until the streak ends.