Pai Gow Essentials

Pai Gow poker is an Asian game, also known by the name double handed poker. It is a card game with a deck of fifty two cards plus 1 joker. The joker may be used as a wild card to make a straight, a flush or a straight flush. In cases where it is included in a front hand, it is also used as an Ace. The game can be played by up to 6 gamblers at a time and an additional banker. The banker is either one of the gamblers or the croupier himself. If one of the gamblers opts to be the banker, then he had better had enough funds to support the bets of all the other gamblers. On all winning bets, the house earns a flat 5%. Pai Gow is generally a slow game and has a high number of pushes.

At the beginning of the game, all gamblers place their bets based on a table minimum. Each gambler is dealt 7 cards, and all cards are divided into 7 sets irrespective of the number of gamblers. The initial gambler is determined by the banker who shakes a cup containing three dice. On receipt of the 7 cards, the gambler splits them into a 2 card hand and a 5 card hand. On the table, the two card hand is put in front and the five card hand behind it. Now if both combinations beat the banker’s combinations, you win the game. In case you win one and lose the other, there are no winners. This is a push. Though, if your hands end up exactly with the same value as the bankers, then the banker wins. There are a number of Pai Gow rules that gamblers need to acquaint themselves with, which we will look at a later stage.

When splitting the 7 card hand into a three card hand and a five card hand, make sure that the latter is bigger than the two card hand. Else, you are defeated by default. The way you set your combinations will be governed by what is known as the “House Way” if the house plays the role of a banker. You will of course get help if you’re unsure of how to split your hands. In any case, the banker has an edge, which is why it is known to be profitable to be the banker.

Now let us have a look at some of the rules of Pai Gow poker. Once the cards are dealt, if the gambler has no pair in his hand, the House Way will place the highest card in the back and the next 2 high cards in front. If the gambler has 1 pair, then the House Way will push the pair back, and place the following 2 highest cards in front. If the gambler has 2 pairs, the House Way pushes the two pairs backwards, and will split them if there is no ace, or one pair is sevens. It will also be split if you have a pair of jacks or higher, and 6′s or better, and you have an ace, or if you have a pair of aces, and an accompanying pair.

These were just some of the rules of Pai Gow. Though, make sure you read and understand all other rules if you want to be winning in the game. There are a number of tutorials to help you comprehend the game, and materials such as these will give you a great introduction into the game. Though, make sure to keep in touch with the game, and talk to different proficient gamblers who can give you great tips on how to play and win this wonderful game. Learn how to play 7 card stud hi lo and how to play omaha poker at BonusBonusBonus.com.