Baccarat is the game of choice in VIP rooms because it is simple, fast, and elegant, and a beginner can learn everything needed to play confidently in about ten minutes.

The game is a contest between two hands, Player and Banker, and you simply bet on which hand will total closest to nine, or on a tie, with the dealer handling all the cards.

Banker is statistically the best bet despite a small commission on wins, Player is a close second, and the Tie bet, despite its tempting payout, carries a house edge so high that experienced players avoid it.

At VIP tables, etiquette matters as much as rules: handle cards only when invited, respect the pace of the game, and remember that baccarat is a game of chance, not a system to be beaten.