Pai gow poker is an ancient popular casino game which is based on the Chinese domino game name PaiGow. In this modern version, the players are using cards instead of dominos. Those are the only differences.
The game rules and the scoring techniques are entirely the same as the ancient game PaiGow.
The goal of the game is to create two poker hands from the seven-card hand and one five-card hand. These two card hands can beat the dealer’s hands. That’s how the game results are getting decided on. This is also the game where players are betting to win over the dealer’s hand.
Let’s see first what the pai gow poker rules are.
Pai Gow Poker Rules
Every pai gow poker game online and offline casino game has the same game rules. Here is the detailed rule of pai gow poker.
1. Deck Of The Cards
Pai Gow Poker starts with a traditional 52-card deck. Along with one Joker. That joker can be used as the Ace or flush.
2. Numbers Of Players
The game can accommodate nearly six players. And one of them works as a dealer. Players are betting against the dealer’s hands.
3. Hand’s Ranking
The hand rankings of Pai Gow Poker are the same as the regular casino poker game. The only difference is A-2-3-4-5 straight, considered the second-highest straight after 10-J-Q-K-A.
4. Hand Settings
The players and the dealer are dealing with seven cards. The target is to create two poker hands out of seven cards. A five-card hand with a two-card hand is the target.
5. High And Low Hand
The Pai gow poker five-card hand has to be higher in poker ranking, than the two-card hand. If a player has a pair and two pairs, they have to put the higher-ranking two pairs in their five-card hands. Along with the lower-ranking pair in their two-card hand.
6. Hand’s Comparison
After setting up the hands, players have to compare their two hands against the dealer’s two hands. The goal is to beat both dealers’ hands and win the bet.
7. Decision Of Winning And Losing
If both of the player’s high and low hands can beat the dealer’s hands, the player decides to win. If one hand wins it’s called a push. The player’s bet is returned. The player’s two hands counted as the winner.
8. Hand Copies
If one of the player’s hands ties with the dealer’s hand, it’s called a copy or a push. If the dealer wins that particular hand they count as the winner.
Are you a startup player? Then you can play pai gow poker free, and get to know the exact strategies of playing the game. These are the basic scoring patterns of Pai Gow poker. Now let’s see how to play pai gow poker.
Strategies To Play Pai Gow Poker
Here’s the step-by-step guide on playing Pai Gow Poker in a casino.
1. Understand The Pai Gow Poker Table
Locate a casino that offers Pai Gow Poker. These tables will have six-player seating options. The dealer is representing the casino.
2. Get The Chips
Once you are at the table, you have to buy chips from the dealer. Each of the players needs to exchange the cash against chips for placing bets during the game.
3. Place Your Bet
After buying your Pai gow poker chips, place your bet in the designated betting areas on the table. The minimum and maximum betting limits will be displayed on the table. If your budget is low, find a low-limit table.
4. Get The Cards
The dealer will then deal seven cards to each player. And seven cards for themselves face down.
5. Receive Your Hands
Once you receive your Pai gow poker seven cards separate them in a 5:2 ratio. Five for high hand 2 for low hand. Five card hands have higher poker rank and two card hands have lower hands.
6. Compare Your Hands With The Dealer
After distributing all the hands dealers will go to get their hands in a house way.
7. Winner
To win, both your high and low hands must defeat the dealer’s hands. If you win both hands you will be declared as the winner. If you win one hand and lose the other one it’s declared as a push. And your betting is returned.
8. Ties
In the game push or copy is declared as the ties. And you will lose the bet.
9. Do not Forget To Tip The Dealer
Always offer some tips to the dealer in Pai Gow Poker. When you’re the dealer bank and steady winner of the game.
Bottomline:
Before entering into the casinos get the information about the casino’s authenticity and other rules and policies. If you are a beginner poker player then it’s also fine hence Pai Gow Poker is a slow-paced game.
Always set a budget before entering a casino. If your budget is relatively low select only the low-limit tables where the betting amount is relatively low. Good luck and have fun!