Menu Close

Pai Gow Poker Strategy

Pai Gow

Pai Gow Poker Strategy

The Americanized variant of the traditional Chinese game Pai Gow is called Pai Gow Poker. This game employs playing cards with poker hand values rather than Chinese dominoes. This game may at first seem complicated and daunting, but with enough experience, it might end up being your new favourite casino game! 

If you’ve never played Pai Gow Poker before, you should familiarise yourself with the fundamental principles of the game. If you are already familiar with how to play, continue reading for a general strategy to Pai Gow Poker that can increase your chances of winning.

How to Play Pai Gow Poker

Before the cards are given, each player places a minimum wager in Pai Gow Poker. 

A conventional 52-card deck plus one Joker is used for dealing seven cards to each participant, including the dealer. Each participant must create two poker hands using these seven cards. One of the hands consists of a two-card “low” hand (or the front hand) and a five-card “high” hand (also known as the large hand).  Every player, including the banker, shows their cards after creating their five-card hand and two-card hand. 

The player must win both hands in order to prevail; their high hand and low hand must be superior to those of the banker. In the event of this result, the player gets awarded their entire wager. 

In contrast, the player loses their wager if the dealer wins both hands. A draw occurs and no money is exchanged if a player wins one hand while the dealer wins another. The banker, however, wins if the player and banker hands are the same. For instance, the banker wins if both the player and the banker have Ace Kings in their two-card hand.

Pai Gow Poker Strategy

As a general rule, you should always play the “house way.” For instance, if you are dealt two pairs, you can play this hand in one of two ways: break the pair into two separate five-card hands, or keep it all in one hand, and play the next two cards as your two-card hand. Ask the dealer if you’re unclear, and he’ll explain how the house would set this hand. Be aware that you have the last say in how you choose to position the hand.

You have a better chance of pushing to the banker if you decide to keep both of your pairs in your five-card hand. It’s crucial to keep in mind that in Pai Gow Poker your hand rating must beat both of the banker’s hands in order to prevail. 

The worth of your five-card ranking hand must be bigger than your two-card hand in accordance with the guidelines. Keep your better pair in your five-card hand as a general rule, and place the lower pair in your two-card hand. This Pai Gow hand strategy will increase your chances of winning in the long run. 

Like any other card game, there are countless situation-specific tactics that call for a high level of expertise and knowledge. The next time you visit a Pai Gow table, though, you can potentially have a successful and happy experience by using this approach to Pai Gow hand strategy if you’re a newbie or a player with some expertise. 

Conclusion

Ask the dealer if you’re ever unsure how to set your hand. The majority of casinos permit them to assist you, and they will be pleased to do so.

Another poker variation that has grown in popularity over the years and is enjoyable to play is Pai Gow Poker.

TOP