In this article, we will show you the hand ranking, and how they influence the game result. Also, we will give you some advice on how to boost your chances of winning and avoid common errors. By the end, you will know how to play and enjoy this exciting game through our recommended betting bookmakers.
What is Pay Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a casino game that is based on an ancient Chinese domino game called Pai Gow. Unlike the original game, the version is played with cards instead of dominoes and uses poker hand rankings to determine the winner. That’s why, this game is played with a standard 52-card deck and a joker that can act as an ace or complete a straight or a flush. The game can accommodate up to six players and a dealer, who acts as the banker.
On the other hand, the objective of the game is to split your seven cards into two hands: a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand. The high hand must be equal or higher in rank than the low hand. Both of your hands must beat the dealer’s hands to win your bet. If only one of your hands beats the dealer’s, it is a push and no money changes hands. You lose your bet if both of your hands lose. The dealer also has to follow certain rules when splitting their cards, known as the “house way”. You can ask the dealer for advice on how to split your cards if you are not sure. Hence, this is a fun and relaxing game that offers a low house edge and many chances to push.
Hand ranking
The ranking of the hands is similar to regular poker, with some exceptions. Here are the possible hand rankings from highest to lowest:
Five Aces
This is the best possible hand in Pai Gow Poker. It consists of four aces plus the joker, which acts as a fifth ace.
Royal Flush
This is a hand with five cards of the same suit in sequential order from 10 to ace. For example, 10-J-Q-K-A of spades.
Straight Flush
This is a hand with five cards of the same suit in sequential order, but not as high as a royal flush. For example, 6-7-8-9-10 of hearts.
Four-of-a-kind
This is a hand with four cards of the same rank, plus any other card. For example, Q-Q-Q-Q-2.
Full House
This is a hand with three cards of the same rank, plus two cards of another rank. For example, J-J-J-4-4.
Flush
This is a hand with five cards of the same suit. However not in sequential order. For example, 2-5-8-J-A of diamonds.
Straight
This is a hand with five cards in sequential order. But not of the same suit. For example, 3-4-5-6-7 of mixed suits.
Three-of-a-kind
This is a hand with three cards of the same rank. Additionally two other cards. For example, 9-9-9-K-3.
Two Pair
This is a hand with two cards of the same rank. Plus, two cards of another rank, plus one other card. For example, 8-8-5-5-A.
One Pair
This is a hand with two cards of the same rank. Additionally, three other cards. For example, 6-6-Q-10-4.
High Card
This is a hand with no pair or better. The value of the hand is based on the highest card in it. For example, A-K-J-9-3.
Tips and Strategies
– Know the rankings of the hands. Moreover, the joker can act as an ace or fill in a straight or a flush. The highest possible hand at Pai Gow poker is five aces (four aces plus the joker). The second-highest hand is a royal flush. Furthermore, a straight flush is higher than four of a kind, and so forth. Check the full rankings above.
– Split your cards wisely. Then, you want to make both your hands as strong as possible. However, not at the expense of losing the high hand. A general rule is to follow the “house way”. That’s why, this is how the dealer splits their cards according to a set of rules.
Some scenarios:
- If you have no pair, put the highest card in the high hand and the next two highest cards in the low hand.
- Then, for one pair, put it in the high hand and the next two highest cards in the low hand.
- If you have two pair, split them according to the following table:
- In case of three pair, put the highest pair in the low hand.
- For three of a kind, put it in the high hand unless it is aces. Then, split them and put an ace in the low hand.
- If you have a full house, split it unless you have a pair of twos and an ace-king or better, then keep it.
- In case of four of a kind, split it unless it is sixes or lower then, keep it.
- If you have five aces, split them unless you also have a pair of kings, and then keep them.
It's time to win at Pai Gow Poker!
Our final recommendation is to be aware of the house edge. The house edge is the benefit that the casino gets over the player in the long term. It varies depending on the rules and the dealer/banker option. The house edge is usually around 2.5% when playing against the dealer as the banker. However, if you have the option to be the banker, you should take it whenever possible. As this reduces the house edge to around 1.5%. This is because you win ties and you get to see how other players split their cards before setting your own.
Now you are ready to master this game. The next step: find where to play Pai Gow online and try your new skills! And remember, have fun and enjoy the game. This is a slow-paced game that can last for a long time with relatively small swings. It is a good way to relax and socialize with other players while having a chance to win some money. Luck plays a big role in it, so don’t get too frustrated or overconfident based on short-term results.
