Pai Gow poker is a casino poker game based on the traditional
Asian dominoes-type game called Pai Gow. In Pai Gow poker, each
player receives seven cards and arranges them into a five-card hand
and a two-card hand.
Many casino gamblers stay away from Pai Gow poker, because of the
two-hand aspect and the appearance of dominos in certain card rooms.
But don't be intimidated by Pai Gow poker. Hands work the same in
Pai Gow as they do in other forms of poker. The deviations in game
play may be challenging to some, but novices can learn the game
without too great of a negative expectation. Pai Gow poker players
are often among the most helpful players in the casino.
The Joker
A joker is thrown into the deck, and it is a limited wild card.
In Pai Gow poker, the joker can only fill out a straight or a flush.
Otherwise, it is played as an ace.
This allows a player to play a 5-of-a-kind in Pai Gow poker,
although this would almost never be a strategically correct play.
In Pai Gow poker, the goal is to win both the 5-card and 2-card
hands. If you concentrate solely on building one overpowering hand,
you are likely only to break even. So it would be better to play
these cards as a three of a kind and two of a kind in an attempt to
win both the 5-card and 2-card hands.
Two Card and Five Card Hands
One overlooked part of Pai Gow poker strategy is the two-card
hand, also known as the forward hand.
This hand can only contain a pair or a high card. But since
players wager as much on the two-card hand as the larger one, it is
important not to neglect how you play these cards.
It is often better to play your highest cards in the two-card
hand. If you have an unpaired ace, it should always be played in
this hand. It will defeat any non-pair. For the same reason, it is
best to play your second highest unpaired card in this hand along
with the ace.
The five-card hand looks like a hand in most other forms of
poker. For this reason, it needs less explanation than the two-card
hand. Straights and flushes are just as important as in any other
form of poker. Because of the joker, these hands come up more often
than in regular 7-card stud or Texas Holdem.
Pai Gow Poker Gameplay
All non-banking players play their hands first, with the two-hand
cards forward and the five-hand cards behind. Remember not to touch
your cards after you have played them, or a "foul" may be called and
you will lose your bet. If a player is also banking, then the banker
will be the next to play hands.
Finally, the dealer plays the house cards. These hands are always
played according to house ways, and the dealer has no options on how
to play. Most casinos will provide you with a copy of House Ways, if
you ask for it.
At the end of each hand, the dealer will extract the house
commission. You may place it beside your bet, or the dealer will
take it out of your wager directly.
Pai Gow Poker Etiquette
In Pai Gow poker, you must make certain that your two-card hand
does not beat your five-card hand. If it does, then your hand is
declared "fouled" and your bet is lost. If the banker makes this
mistake, the dealer will sets the banker's hands according to House
Ways.
If you play more than one hand at a Pai Gow table, the wager on your
first set of hands must be larger or equal to the second set of
hands. In this way, the casino eliminates any perceived advantage
that may occur due to seeing the first hand.
Finally, Pai Gow poker tables are usually easy going and relaxed.
Players enjoy talking with one another, put at ease by the slow play
of the game. At some casinos, players are allowed to advise one
another on how to play hands. Other casinos may not allow this, if
the player advising has not played his or her cards yet.
Whatever the case, Pai Gow poker is one of the more unusal games in
the casino. If you like a laid back atmosphere and analyzing how
best to play your cards, it may be the game for you.
Most player think that Pai Gow poker is a satisfying blend of
strategy and camaraderie for many players in a casino.
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