Pai Gow Poker is a casino card game that is based on the Chinese game of Pai Gow. It is played with a standard deck of 52 cards plus one joker, and it can be played with up to six players and a dealer.
The objective of the game is to create two poker hands, one consisting of five cards (the high hand) and the other consisting of two cards (the low hand), that beat both of the dealer’s hands. The high hand must be ranked higher than the low hand, and both hands must be ranked higher than the dealer’s hands to win.
Each player and the dealer are dealt seven cards face down, and they must arrange their cards into a high hand and a low hand. The high hand must contain five cards and the low hand must contain two cards.
Sure, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to play Pai Gow Poker:
- Place Your Bet: Before the game begins, you must place a bet on the table. The minimum and maximum bet limits may vary depending on the table.
- Receive Your Cards: Once all bets are placed, the dealer will deal seven cards to each player and themselves. The cards are dealt face down.
- Arrange Your Cards: After receiving your cards, you must arrange them into a high hand and a low hand. The high hand must consist of five cards and the low hand must consist of two cards. The high hand must be ranked higher than the low hand.
- Compare Hands: Once all players have arranged their hands, the dealer will reveal their own hand and compare it with each player’s hand. The dealer’s high hand and low hand will be compared separately with the players’ hands.
- Determine the Winner: To win, both of the player’s hands must be ranked higher than the dealer’s hands. If both of the dealer’s hands are higher than both of the player’s hands, the player loses. If one of the player’s hands is higher than the dealer’s hand and the other is lower, it’s a push, and the player’s bet is returned. If a player’s hands are tied with the dealer’s hands, it’s called a “copy,” and the dealer wins the tie. However, if only one of the player’s hands is tied with the dealer’s hand, it’s called a “push,” and the player’s bet is returned.
- Pay Commission: If the player wins both hands, they receive a payout based on the paytable. However, the player must also pay the dealer a commission fee of 5% on the winnings.
- Continue Playing: After the hands are resolved, the dealer will collect the cards and the next round begins.
It’s important to note that some casinos may have different rules for how hands are ranked and how ties are resolved, so it’s important to check the rules before playing. Additionally, the game has a commission fee of 5% on winning bets, which means that the player must pay the dealer a commission fee for every winning bet they make.
Pai Gow Poker has its own unique strategy, and it’s important to understand how to set your hands properly to increase your chances of winning. For example, the low hand should always be two cards that are the second highest in value after the high hand. It’s recommended to practice the game before playing with real money to become more familiar with the strategy and rules.