Learn how to – Pai Gow Poker Rules and Strategy

Learn how to – Pai Gow Poker Rules and Strategy.

Pai Gow Poker is a game that first appeared in the United States in the mid-1980s. In this game, participants are each given 7 cards to make 2 hands. When comparing the results, the strength of both combinations is evaluated.

The basic rules of this type of poker were adopted from Pai Gow Dominoes, but its main attribute was the cards. Today it is offered online casinos in the slots section and games with live dealers.

Pai Gow Poker Rules

To play the game in the casino online use a card deck consisting of 53 cards, the addition of which is the joker. The game has a feature that every player needs to know – most of the rounds end in a draw. That is why even a player with a small capital will be able to play for a long time. 

The gameplay is divided into stages.

1. At the beginning of the game, the player makes a bet, and he is given seven cards.
2. The player divides the received cards at his discretion into two hands – a large (high) and a small (low).
3. There must be five cards in the big hand and two cards in the small hand. The high hand, as it contains five cards, is subject to the rules, which are established in classic poker. Accordingly, standard poker combinations apply to it.

When dividing the cards into two hands, it must be remembered that the cards in the small hand should not make a combination larger than the cards in the big hand. A large number of online casinos consider the combination, which is the second oldest, straight-ace, deuce, three, four and five.

Determining the Winner in Pai Gow Poker

After the player has divided his cards into two groups, the dealer shows his divided cards if:

1. Both of the dealer’s hands turn out to be stronger than both of the player’s hands, then the player loses his bet.
2. One of the dealer’s hands is stronger than the player’s hand and the other is weaker, then a tie is determined and the player gets his original bet back.
3. Both players’ hands beat the dealer’s hands, the player wins 1 to 1 minus a 5% commission.

If one of the dealer’s hands equals the player’s corresponding hand, the dealer is declared the winner.

The cards in the hands are compared according to the table of poker combinations, where the highest combination of the main hand is 5 aces (4 aces + joker). And the highest combination of the weakest hand is 2 aces.

Pai Gow Poker Strategy

The basic strategic rule in Pai Gow Poker is that the low hand is not a trash can into which you must constantly throw your worst cards. By following this rule, you should sacrifice a strong high hand often enough to make two solid combinations. So, with a full house, you have to leave three cards in the high hand and set up two cards in the low hand. Having two high pairs, on the other hand, you should split them up.

To achieve the greatest advantage in Pai Gow, you can use two different strategies, aggressive and conservative, which take into account all the controversial points of the game and offer the best solutions. 

Using a conservative strategy, a player keeps most of the strong combinations in a high hand and sets low cards in a low hand, which increases the probability of a draw-push result and reduces the probability of losing, as well as winning.

The basic strategies for Pai poker are:

1. In order to improve a five-card hand, you must take each situation into account. By successfully splitting the combination into two strong hands, it means increasing your chances of winning.
2. You can ask for advice directly from the dealer. This is allowed by the rules of the game in many online casinos. Advice is advice, but the ultimate decision is up to the player. Very often the dealer’s tips help win. Keep this in mind.
3. It is also possible to become a banker yourself. This requires a certain amount of money and a desire to win. In such a situation, the advantage of the casino is significantly reduced. Now the software is working for your (not the dealer’s) victory!
4. Eliminate unnecessary risk from your game at Pai Gow Poker forever. Make it a ground rule.

There are many types of Pai Gow at various online casinos. You can choose slots from Microgaming, OpenBet Technologies Ltd and RTG to your taste. In any case, the basic principles of the game are the same for all modifications.

Conclusion

Pai Gow Poker is a game that can fascinate beginners who have never encountered poker before. It is interesting and entertaining. Despite the fact that the game is still very “young”, there are strategies that can bring the player to a noticeable advantage. This card game is available at many online casinos such as at Winz.io. 

FAQ

1. What is Pai Gow Poker?

Pai Gow is a type of poker with unusual rules found in real and online casinos. To win, you need to beat the dealer by collecting two stronger poker combinations. 

2. Is the strategy of playing Pai Gow complicated?

Yes. It won’t be easy for a beginner to figure out all the nuances. A simplified system of recommendations is also very effective. 

3.  What are the odds of winning?

The typical house advantage in Pai Gow Poker is 2.84%. However, there is a technique to reduce this advantage to about 1.42%.

4. Which casino offers the best Pai Gow Poker?

Winz.io is considered the best Pai Gow poker casino because of its bonuses and overall gaming experience.