The strategy for Pai Gow Poker is different from all standard
poker games.
This often trips up newbies. A skilled Pai Gow poker player
derives just a 0.30% edge over an unskilled player.
For the greatest edge when playing Pai Gow Poker, one must be
willing to play as the banker as often as possible. This is because
the banker has 0 negative expectation. A player should also raise
his bets as the banker.
Also, always keep in mind that you are playing the odds to win
both hands, and not simply trying to play the best five-card hand.
You wager as much on the two-card hand as the five-carder, so you
need to focus just as much on winning one hand as the other.
Basic Pai Gow Poker Strategy Table
| If you hold: |
Play this way: |
| A full house. |
Use the pair for your two card hand; use the 3 of a
kind for your five card hand. |
| A flush |
Play the highest cards in your two card hand,
without breaking the flush. Play the flush in your five
card hand. |
| A flush AND 2 pair |
Ignore the flush. Play as if you had 2 pair only. |
| 6 card straight |
Use the 2 highest cards you can for the two card
hand without breaking the 5 card straight. |
| 5 card straight |
Use the 2 cards not in the straight for your two
card hand, and the straight in the five card hand. |
| A straight and 2 pair. |
Ignore the straight and play as if you had 2 pair
only. |
| 3 pairs |
Use the highest pair in your two card hand, and the
other 2 pairs in your five card hand. |
| 2 pairs |
If you have an unpaired ace, use it in the two card
hand and keep the two pairs. If you don't have an
unpaired ace, use the lower pair in the two card hand
and the higher pair in the five card hand. |
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