Pai Gow Poker Rules and Strategies to Boost Your Wins 655q6u

In this article I dive into Pai Gow Poker, showing you how to play and what makes it unique compared to other casino games. I’ll alos cover the rules, in-depth strategies, and practical tips to help you play confidently. You’ll become familiar with the core concepts, discover what sets Pai Gow apart from standard poker, and pick up key strategies to help you make the best decisions at the table.

The importance of knowing poker hand rankings is also covered, and you can review them here in detail.

Pai Gow Poker Rules 1t5m60

Pai Gow Poker uses a standard 52-card deck plus a Joker. The Joker can only be used as an Ace or to complete a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Flush, or Straight. It cannot substitute for any other card.

Key Differences from Regular Poker 503y5f

• A2345 is the lowest possible Straight in Pai Gow Poker.

 

• AKQJ10 is the highest possible Straight.

 

• All other Straights rank between these two, following standard poker order.

Setting Your Hands 3g1b6j

Split your seven cards into two hands:

• A five card hand (high hand)

 

• A two card hand (low hand)

The five card hand must always be higher in value than the two card hand. For example, if your two card hand is a pair of Kings, your five card hand must be a pair of Aces or better.

• Start with enough chips for at least 50 bets.

 

• If you have $50 (or £50), play at £1 per hand for longer playtime.

Pai Gow Poker is played against the Dealer and can include up to six players at the table. After all bets are placed, the Dealer deals seven cards to each player and to themselves before play begins.

• Arrange your seven cards into two hands: a five card high hand and a two card low hand.

 

• If you play online, use the House Way option to arrange your cards. This is how the Dealer sets their hand and it’s helpful for beginners.

Comparing Hands and Winning 1f6y17

After all players have set their hands, the Dealer reveals and arranges their own hands. Each player’s hands are then compared one by one with the Dealer’s hands.

• If both your hands beat the Dealer’s, you win even money on your bet, minus a 5% commission.

 

• If you win one hand but lose the other, it is a push and your original stake is returned.

 

• If the Dealer wins both hands, the Dealer takes your bet.

 

• If either hand ties, the Dealer wins that hand by default.

On the screenshot above, the Player wins both hands, the Joker is replaced by an Ace to give a Full House for the 5 card hand against the Dealers pair of sixes, and the 2 card hand of a pair of sixes beats the Dealers Ace-King.

As the initial bet was €100, you would win a further €100 less 5%, so a total return of €195.

It is worth noting that in the 2 card hand, the only hands you can only get are one pair or a high card. The best 2 card hand is a pair of Aces, the lowest is 3 2. There is no difference if your hand is Suited or not.

Pai Gow Poker Beginners Strategy 2w544x

When I started playing Pai Gow Poker, I found myself focusing only on building the best possible five card hand, just as many beginners do. It quickly became clear that always aiming for the strongest five card hand can help win that hand, but often leads to losing the two card hand and results in more pushes instead of actual wins.

The recommended strategy would, therefore, be to set your 2 card hand as strong as possible as long as you ensure that 5 card hand is higher. Alternatively, when playing online use the ‘House Way’.

I recommend following the table below for the best chance of winning your hand.

• If you are dealt 7 different cards without a Flush or Straight, choose the 2nd and 3rd highest cards for your 2 card hand.

 

• If you are dealt one pair, place the pair in your five card hand and use the two highest remaining cards for your two card hand.

 

• If you are dealt two pairs, usually use the lower pair for your two card hand. However, if both pairs are sixes or lower, or if you also have an Ace, keep both pairs in your five card hand and use the two highest remaining cards for your two card hand.

 

• If you are dealt three pairs among your seven cards, use the highest pair for your two card hand and place the other two pairs in your five card hand.

 

• If you are dealt three of a kind, keep them together in your five card hand, unless they are aces. With three aces, play a pair of aces in your five card hand and the remaining ace plus your next highest card in your two card hand.

 

• If you are dealt a Straight, Flush, or Straight Flush, keep that combination in your five card hand. Use the two highest remaining cards for your two card hand if possible, which you can do only if you have six or seven cards that could make the five card hand, such as six cards of the same suit.

 

• If you are dealt a Full House, you should use the pair in your two card hand and the three of a kind in your five card hand.

Pai Gow Poker Advanced Strategy 2j4bw

If you have mastered the above, well done.

I recommend having a look at our advanced strategy shown below for an even better chance of getting a nice payout when playing Pai Gow Poker. If you have a potential Flush or Straight, compare your possible hand combinations carefully and choose the option that gives you the strongest two hands, rather than just prioritizing the highest five card hand.

If no Straight or Flush is possible:

Below are advanced tips and recommendations for setting your hands in Pai Gow Poker when you have special combinations. These guidelines can help you decide the best way to split your cards and maximize your winning chances.

• If you have five of a kind (using a joker), split off the highest possible pair for your two card hand, unless making a straight or flush is possible in your five card hand.

 

• If you have four of a kind and three of a kind, split the four of a kind only if it is at least two ranks higher than the three of a kind; otherwise, split the three of a kind.

If you have four of a kind and a pair, usually play the pair in your two card hand, unless a straight or flush can be made.

• Split queens only if your two card hand would otherwise be king high or lower; do not split tens or jacks.

 

• Split kings only if your two card hand would otherwise be queen high or lower.

 

• Only split aces if your other pair is twos or threes and you have no way to make a competitive two card hand.

If you have four of a kind, here are the best options:

• Never split twos, threes, or fours

 

• Never split fives, sixes, sevens, eights, nines, tens, or jacks—always keep these pairs together.

 

• Split queens only if your two card hand would otherwise be king high or lower.

 

• Split kings only if your two card hand would otherwise be queen high or lower.

 

• Split aces only if your two card hand would otherwise be jack high or lower, or if your other pair is twos or threes.

• If you have two three of a kinds, play a pair from the higher set in your two card hand.

If you have three of a kind and two pairs, play the highest pair in your two card hand except:

• If you have three aces and a low pair (22/33, 22/44, or 33/44), play two aces in your two card hand.

 

• If you have three of a kind and two pairs, refer to the table below for the minimum low hand needed to play a full house in the five card hand. If you cannot make a qualifying hand or see “SPL” in the chart, play the pair in the two card hand.

, these advanced moves are most helpful when you’re looking to improve your payout rather than just pushing. Adjust your hand according to your situation and the combinations you have.

We offer free Pai Gow Poker and table games here, try them out until you become more familiar with the strategy.

Pai Gow Poker Tips 3v3e1q

Below I share Pai Gow Poker tips to help you play smarter and avoid common mistakes.

• Start by playing Pai Gow Poker for free to get familiar with the rules and unique strategies before risking real money.

 

• that the second highest straight in Pai Gow Poker is A,2,3,4,5—not AKQJT—so be sure to recognize this important difference from standard poker.

 

• Know the key differences between Pai Gow and standard poker before you play for real money to maximize your chances of winning.

 

• Always take care when splitting two pairs—follow an optimal strategy and practice for free if you’re unsure.

 

• Balance your two hands for the best outcome; focusing only on the 5-card or 2-card hand can lead to frequent pushes instead of wins.

Related Articles : a4w5s

Poker Video Tutorials