Pai Gow poker is an ancient Chinese game that’s beloved and still played to this day – making them one of the most popular casino table games in land-based and online casinos. In this guide, we’ll be showing off some basic rules, side bets, strategies, and of course, how to play this most ancient game. Let’s get right into it!
Basic Rules of Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow poker is similar to learning how to play poker – the OG one, that is! To dominate the game, you must first understand the fundamental building blocks.
Like traditional poker, Pai Gow also uses the five-hand card. Here’s a quick refresher of the poker hands:
- Royal Flush: The ultimate poker hand, containing an Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and Ten of the same suit.
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards (Q, J, 10, 9, 8 – for example) of the same suit.
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank (four Aces, four 7s).
- Full House: Three cards of one rank (three Queens regardless of suit) and two cards of another rank (two 6s regardless of suit).
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit, and the order doesn’t matter.
- Straight: Five cards in sequence (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 – for example), but not of the same suit.
- Three of a Kind: This poker hand is three cards of similar rank (three Kings, regardless of suit).
- Two Pair: Two pairs of different ranks.
- Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
- High Card: The highest ranking card in your hand (could be Aces, 10s, just not 2s, as they’re the lowest).
There are two hands in Pai Gow…
Once you’ve been dealt seven cards, it’s time to split your Pai Gow poker cards into two powerful hands:
- Your 5-Card Hand: This hand should be your strongest, aiming for the highest possible ranking.
- Your 2-Card Hand: While less powerful, your 2-card hand should still be formidable. A pair is the best possible 2-card hand.
Remember, your 5-card hand must always outrank your 2-card hand.
And it’s time for a showdown!
In Pai Gow Poker, you’re not battling against fellow players like in most poker variations, but against the dealer. To emerge victorious, you must outplay the dealer in both hands:
- Double Your Winnings: If both your 5-card and 2-card hands defeat the dealer’s, you’ll double your bet.
- A Push: If one of your hands wins and the other loses, the round ends in a tie.
- Dealer’s Advantage: If both your hands lose to the dealer’s, you’ll forfeit your bet.
A Word of Caution: If both your hands tie the dealer’s, the house wins. So, strategize wisely and may luck be on your side!
Pai Gow Poker Variations
Casinos are igniting the poker scene with innovative twists on the classic game of Pai Gow poker – with the original poker positions completely thrown out the window!
With variations in Pai Gow, you’re not just playing for the main pot; you’re betting on the potential for extraordinary hands. From three-of-a-kind to the elusive royal flush, the possibilities are endless. Popular variations include:
- Fortune Pai Gow: This Pai Gow poker side bet pays based on the value of your seven cards, regardless of hand formation..
- Pai Gow Mania: This variation allows players to make two side bets per hand..
- Emperor’s Challenge: Enjoy the classic game with bonus wagers like Insurance and Emperor’s Treasure.
- Progressive Fortune Pai Gow: Chase the life-changing jackpot with a seven-card straight flush.
While most variations can lead to massive payouts, it’s crucial to remember that they carry a higher house edge than the main game. Proceed with caution and only wager what you can afford to lose!
How to Play Pai Gow Poker
- Choose Your Role: Decide which player becomes the dealer for the round of Pai Gow poker. Remember, you’re not competing against your fellow poker players but against the dealer.
- Place Your Bet: Before the cards are dealt, place your bet within the minimum and maximum limits.
- Receive Your Cards: The dealer will distribute seven cards to each player, including themselves.
- Form Your Hands: In Pai Gow poker, you need to arrange your seven cards into two hands: a five-card hand and a two-card hand. Your five-card hand must always outrank your two-card hand.
- Compare Your Two-Card Hand: Match your two-card hand against the dealer’s. The higher pair wins, or if no pairs exist, the higher card takes precedence.
- Challenge the Dealer’s Five-Card Hand: Compare your five-card hand to the dealer’s. The stronger hand, based on traditional poker hand rankings, claims the victory.
- Determine the Winner:
- Double Your Winnings: If both your hands defeat the dealer’s, you’ll double your bet.
- A Push: If one hand wins and the other loses, the round ends in a tie.
- Dealer’s Advantage: If both your hands lose, the dealer collects your bet.
Pai Gow Poker Strategies: 12BET Casino Tips!
Optimizing Your Hand Combinations
- High Card Hands: When you’re dealt a hand without strong combinations in Pai Gow poker like pairs, straights, or flushes, prioritize your highest card for your five-card hand. The remaining two high cards should form your two-card hand.
- Two-Pair Hands:
- Low Pairs: For pairs lower than sevens, split them unless you have an ace, in which case, combine them with the ace and your next highest card in the low hand.
- Mid-Range Pairs: Pairs between sevens and tens should generally be split, but consider combining them with an ace if available.
- High Pairs: Pairs of jacks or higher should almost always be split.
- Three-of-a-Kind Hands:
- Typically, three-of-a-kind hands should be kept together. However, if you’re dealt three aces in Pai Gow poker, split them into a pair of aces for your high hand and a single ace with your next highest card for your low hand.
- Full House Hands:
- Generally, split full houses with the pair in the low hand. However, if you have a second pair, play the higher pair in the low hand.
- Straight and Flush Hands:
- Keep straights and flushes together in your five-card hand, prioritizing the hand that gives you the highest card for your low hand.
- Consider splitting straights or flushes if you have a strong two-card hand (like a pair of tens or better) and a high-card combination for your low hand (like an ace-king or better).
- Four-of-a-Kind Hands:
- For four-of-a-kind hands lower than sevens, keep them together in Pai Gow poker.
- For four-of-a-kind hands between sevens and tens, split them if you have an ace or better for your low hand.
- For four-of-a-kind hands of jacks or higher, always split unless you have another pair for your low hand.
- Five Aces:
- Usually, split five aces. However, if you have a pair of kings, play the kings in your low hand.
Strategic Considerations
- Bonus Bets: While exciting, bonus bets often have a higher house edge. To optimize your chances of winning, focus on the main game.
- Banking: If you have the opportunity to bank, take advantage of it. This allows you to set the hands and gain a strategic edge over other players.
By mastering these strategies and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your Pai Gow poker skills and increase your chances of winning.
Wrapping Up on How to Play Pai Gow Poker
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