INTRODUCTION TO PAI GOW POKER
This is a Chinese version of poker. Players are dealt seven cards and then make two of their best hands using all the cards and then make a bet which indicates whether or not they will beat the dealers two hands. There is also a joker included in the deck. The joker can be used as an ace or can also be used to complete straight or flushes.
Rules
Based on a Chinese domino game, Pai Gow is played by making traditional poker hands in order to win. The game is played with a 53 card set (a regular deck with a joker), but the joker can only be used when a player needs to complete a straight or a flush. Pai Gow and poker share all of the same hand values except for one: in Pai Gow, A 2 3 4 5 is the second highest straight a player can get.
Pai Gow is a game that is played against the dealer. Once the dealer gives each player seven cards, they must divide them into two hands: a 5-card hand (back) and a 2-card hand (front). They must ensure that their 5-card hand is greater than their 2-card hand before comparing their cards to the dealer’s.
If the player loses one hand and wins the other, it is a draw or a “push”.
If the dealer wins both hands, they win the money that the player wagered.
If the player wins both hands, they win their wager.
HOW TO PLAY PAI GOW POKER
The two hands must be made up of a 5 card hand and a 2 card hand. The five card hand must be better than the two card hand and the hands are ranked the same as poker.
The two hands that you make must both beat the dealers two hands in order for you to win. If one wins and one loses than you push and if the hands both tie than the dealer wins. If you do win the hand you get even money on the win.
Although Pai Gow is based on poker, many people make the mistake of trying to make traditional poker hands. However, players should focus on their 7 cards as two separate hands, rather than one combined poker hand. When playing Pai Gow, players should remember that they must win both the front and back hands.
Basic Strategy
The easiest strategy to remember when playing Pai Gow is that you must have the highest possible hands in both your2-card and 5-card hands. Since this is not always possible, there is a way to secure a draw by creating a ‘blocker’. This is done by taking high cards out of your front hand and putting them in your back hand. Although this means you will lose your front hand, you will end up with a hand that is very likely to beat the dealer’s cards, giving you the chance to bet again.
Single Cards
While having only single cards may seem like bad luck, there is a winning strategy that you can employ. Put your highest card in the 5-card hand and your second and third highest cards in the 2-card hand, securing your chance at possibly winning both hands.
Pairs
If you have a single pair, put it in the back, leaving your two highest cards in the front. Then, both hands will have a fair chance at winning.
If you have two pairs but neither of them includes Aces, put both of your pairs in the back and your Ace or any other high card in the front. If you do this, you are certain to win the 5-card hand. Even if you don’t have an Ace, you can put the lower pair in the back and the higher pair in the front to make sure you have strong cards in both hands.
When you have three pairs, put the highest pair in the front and the lowest pairs in the back.
Flush, Straight or Straight Flush
If 5 of your cards are a flush, but the other 2 cards are not a pair, make sure your flush does into the back hand so you can secure a draw.
Four of a Kind
If you have a four of a kind, in addition to other high cards, put the four in the back and your two other highest cards in the front. If you have a low four of a kind, put it in the 5-card hand and put the high cards in the 2-card hand. If your four of a kind consists of mid-range cards, split them into two pairs and put each in either hand.
PAI GOW POKER
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Play this game at the following casinos: |
5Casinos recommendation
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