From the Bell Card Club to Vegas casinos and now online, Pai Gow Poker has grown into a popular poker variant.
Sam Torosian never patented his invention, a merge of Chinese dominoes and poker, but he found great success. His game remains popular four decades later.
If you want to improve at table games, learning Pai Gow Poker is a good start. This casino guide explains the gameplay in simple steps.
How To Play Pai Gow And Keep Control
Pai Gow Poker is one of the most popular poker variants. In this game, you are to strategically play seven cards to create two different poker hands (a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand) that can beat the dealer’s corresponding hands.
Game Setup
To play Pai Gow Poker, you need a 53-card deck, i.e., the usual 52 cards and one Joker that acts as a special wild card. A single table accommodates up to seven players (including the dealer or banker).
The Joker acts as a semi-wild card that can act as a Straight, Flush, or Straight Flush, completing a card. It also acts as an Ace where it is needed, setting the Pai Gow odds in your favor.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker in Five Easy Steps
You would understand other game variants quickly if you learn how to play poker, with a full guide for beginners. Below are the simple steps on how to play Pai Gow Poker:
Placing Your Bet
Start the game by placing your bet. Unlike traditional poker, there are no Ante bets or progressive betting rounds. It is just your initial wager.
Dealing the Cards
Each player, including the dealer, receives seven face-down cards. Pai Gow Poker uses no community cards.
Setting Your Hand
Using an effective Pai Gow poker strategy, your five-card high hand must outrank your two-card low hand. An incorrect hand formation is a foul that causes you to lose automatically. Check out the poker hands cheat sheet.
The Dealer
The dealer builds their two poker hands according to a predetermined house rule. They only reveal this hand after you’ve set your own hands.
Hand Comparison and Winning
Your five-card hand is compared with the dealer’s, as is your two-card hand. You must win both to win the game. Winning one and losing one is a push (tie), and bets are returned. Losing both means you lose your wager.
Pai Gow Poker Payouts and Hand Rankings
Pai Gow Poker payouts are mainly even money (1:1), and a 5% house commission is removed. Therefore, understanding poker hand rankings is crucial in Pai Gow Poker.
| Poker Hands Ranks (High to Low) | Meaning | Visual Illustration | Five-Card Hand (High) | Two-Card Hand (Low) |
| Five Aces (5 of a Kind) | The highest hand, made with four aces plus the joker acting as the fifth ace | Yes | No | |
| Royal Flush | 10, J, Q, K and A of the same suit (no Joker) | 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ A♠ | Yes | No |
| Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards of the same suit (the wheel, A-2-3-4-5, is the highest) | 4♣ 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ 8♣ | Yes | No |
| Four of a Kind | Four cards of the same
rank and a 5th different card |
5♠ 5♣ 5♦ 5♥ Q♣ | Yes | No |
| Full House | Hand consisting of three of a kind
and one pair |
♠4 ♣4 ♥9 ♦9 ♠9 | Yes | No |
| Flush | Consists of any five cards
of the same suit |
8♦ J♦ 2♦ 6♦ 4♦ | Yes | No |
| Straight | Consists of five consecutive cards of any suit (the wheel, A-2-3-4-5, is the highest) | 7♠ 6♣ 5♥ 4♦ 3♣ | Yes | No |
| Three of a Kind | Three cards of the same
rank |
6♠ 6♣ 6♥ J♦ 7♠ | Yes | No |
| Two Pairs | Two different pairs | J♠ J♣ 10♥ 10♦ A♥ | Yes | No |
| One Pair | Two cards of the same rank | 3♠ 3♣ K♥ 2♦ 8♠ | Yes | Yes |
| High Card | Fits into none of the above hands and is ranked by its highest card | K♠ 2♣ 5♥ 4♦ 8♦ | Yes | Yes |
Pai Gow Poker Strategy Tips
Using a solid Pai Gow strategy can improve your chances of beating the dealer. Remember these tips:
- Set a strong five-card hand without weakening your two-card hand.
- Use the Joker to boost your five-card hand as an Ace or to complete a Straight or Flush.
- Keep strong pairs in the high hand, but don’t neglect the low hand.
- Hold onto strong cards in your five-card hand; avoid putting them in the low hand too soon.
Conclusion
Pai Gow Poker’s main challenge is building two hands. Understanding how to play means mastering hand setting, learning the rules, and using smart strategies to improve your odds. Good luck at Slots Paradise Casino!
FAQs
What is Pai Gow poker?
Pai Gow poker is a casino card game variant in which you create two poker hands from seven cards, aiming to beat the dealer with both hands.
What are the rules for Pai Gow Poker?
Players must put together a five-card and a two-card hand that can beat the dealer’s corresponding hands to win.
Is there a strategy for Pai Gow Poker?
Yes, a good strategy involves wisely using Jokers and holding strong hands in your five-card hand.
What is the best hand in Pai Gow Poker?
The best possible hand is a royal flush in the five-card hand.
How do you win in Pai Gow Poker?
Winning occurs when you have both your five-card and two-card hands rank higher than the dealer’s respective hands.