Pai Gow Poker Rules vs. Poker’s Rules: Players are given a 7 card hand rather than a 2 card hand which must be split into a bottom hand and a front hand; The deck used in the game typically consists of 52 cards plus 1 Joker rather than the 2 that are used in Poker. As far as the rules of Pai Gow Poker are concerned, all you need to know is described above. Once all players are done setting up their hands, the dealer will arrange their hand. After that, they’ll compare their hands to the players’ hands and pay the winners. Note that these rules apply primarily to playing Pai Gow Poker online. Live versions of the game may have slightly different house rules. Pai Gow Poker Rules. The object of Pai Gow Poker is to make two poker hands, a five-card poker hand, and a two-card hand. The five-card hand is the “high” hand and the two-card hand is the “low” hand.
Origin | United States |
---|---|
Players | 2–7 |
Deck | French |
Play | Clockwise |
Card rank (highest first) | A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 |
Random chance | High |
Related games | |
Chinese poker |
Pai gow poker (also called double-hand poker) is a version of pai gow that is played with playing cards, instead of traditional pai gow's Chinese dominoes. The game of pai gow poker was created in 1985 in the United States by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club.[1]
The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus a single joker. It is played on a table set for six players, plus the dealer. Each player attempts to defeat the banker (who may be the casino dealer, one of the other players at the table, or a player acting in tandem with the dealer as co-bankers).[2]
Winning condition[edit]
The object of pai gow poker is to create a five card poker hand and a two card poker hand from seven cards that beat both of the bank's hands. The five-card hand's rank must exceed that of the two-card hand, and it is for this reason that the two-card hand is often called the hand 'in front', 'on top', 'hair', or the 'small', 'minor', or 'low' hand. The five-card hand is called the hand 'behind', or the 'bottom', 'high', or 'big', as they are placed that way in front of the player, when the player is done setting them.
Deals[edit]
The cards are shuffled, and then dealt to the table in seven face-down piles of seven cards per pile. Four cards are unused regardless of the number of people playing.
Betting positions are assigned a number from 1 to 7, starting with whichever player is acting as banker that hand, and counting counter-clockwise around the table. A number from 1 to 7 is randomly chosen (either electronically or manually with dice), then the deal begins with the corresponding position and proceeds counter-clockwise. One common way of using dice to determine the dealer starting number is to roll three six-sided dice, and then count betting spots clockwise from the first position until the number on the dice is reached.
If a player is not sitting on a particular spot, the hand is still assigned, but then placed on the discard pile with the four unused cards. In some casinos, such as the Golden Nugget and Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada, an extra 'dragon hand' is dealt if a seat is vacant. After all players have set their original hand they are asked in turn if they would like to place another bet to play the dragon hand. Generally the bet on the dragon hand can be the table minimum up to the amount the player bet on their original hand. The first player to accept the dragon hand receives it; this player is effectively playing two separate hands. Rules vary from casino to casino, but generally the dealer turns over the dragon hand and sets it using the house way. This is because the player has already seen the seven cards of their original hand, which could affect the way they would set the dragon hand.
Hand rankings[edit]
The only two-card hands are one pair and high cards.
Five-card hands use standard poker hand rankings with one exception: in most casinos, the 'wheel' (the hand A-2-3-4-5) is the second-highest straight. At most casinos in California and Michigan this rule doesn't apply, and A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible straight.
The joker plays as a bug, that is, in the five-card hand it can be used to complete a straight or flush if possible; otherwise it is an ace. In the two-card hand it always plays as an ace, except in several southern Californian casinos where the joker is wild.
Win reckoning[edit]
If each of the player's hands beats each of the banker's corresponding hands, then he wins the bet. If only one of his hands beats the banker then he pushes (ties) in which case neither he nor the banker wins the bet. If both of his hands lose to the banker then he loses.
On each hand, ties go to the banker (for example, if a player's five-card hand loses to the banker and his two-card hand ties the banker then the player loses); this gives the banker a small advantage. If the player fouls his hand, meaning that his two-card hand outranks his five-card hand, or that there are an incorrect number of cards in each hand, there will usually be a penalty: either re-arrangement of the hand according to house rules or forfeiture of the hand.
In casino-banked games, the banker is generally required to set his hand in a pre-specified manner, called the 'house way', so that the dealer does not have to implement any strategy in order to beat the players. When a player is banking, he is free to set the hand however he chooses; however, players have the option of 'co-banking' with the house, and if this option is chosen then the player's hand must also be set in the house way.
California casinos typically charge a flat fee per hand (such as 5 cents or one dollar) to play, win or lose. Other casinos take a 5% commission out of the winnings, which is usually known as the rake.[3]
Variants[edit]
There are a number of variations of Pai Gow poker that are popular in casinos today. These variations were mainly formulated in 2004 through 2009. Pai Gow Mania was the first variation to be created which allows for two side bets instead of the traditional one side bet per hand. Fortune Pai Gow is another variation which allows players to make a side bet on a poker hand ranking of three-of-a-kind or better, one of the most popular variations. Similar is Emperors Challenge, which also allows a side bet on a seven-card pai gow (no hand). Shuffle Master introduced a variation of the game in 2006, adding a progressive jackpot side bet, named Progressive Fortune Pai Gow. Part or all of the jackpot may be won by placing a side bet and landing one of the hands specified on the payout table; a combined seven-card straight flush wins the entire jackpot.[4]
Advantage play[edit]
Advantage play refers to legal methods used to gain an advantage while gambling. In pai gow poker, a player may be able to gain an advantage in certain circumstances by banking as often as possible, taking advantage of unskilled players while banking, and dealer errors when not banking.[3]
History[edit]
Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in Los Angeles, invented the game of Pai Gow Poker in 1985. The idea for the game came to Torosian after being told about the game Pusoy by an elderly Filipino customer. He figured that the 13-card game with players arranging three hands would be too slow, but a simplified two-hand version with only seven cards would be faster and easier for players to learn. The game quickly became popular and by the late 1980s was being played on the Las Vegas Strip, and eventually worldwide. Torosian famously failed to patent the game he invented after being given bad advice by an attorney he consulted, and noted poker author Mike Caro, both of whom told him that the game was not patentable.[1]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ abRichard Marosi (3 November 2002). 'Casino Boss Can't Cash In on Game He Developed'. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
- ^Michael Shackleford. 'Pai Gow Poker'. The Wizard of Odds. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
- ^ abWong, Stanford (1993). Optimal strategy for Pai Gow Poker. La Jolla, CA.: Pie Yee Press. ISBN978-0935926170.
- ^'Pai Gow Poker Variants'. Play Pai Gow Now. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pai_gow_poker&oldid=989580258'
Pai Gow Poker has roots in both poker and the Chinese dominoes game called “Pai Gow.” In this variation, a standard deck of 52 playing cards plus one joker is used. Each player is dealt seven cards, from which two different poker hands will be formed.
Unlike traditional poker games, Pai Gow Poker is played against the dealer and not against other players. Multiple players can sit at a Pai Gow Poker table, but each player competes individually against the dealer. The goal of each player is to end up with two poker hands that each beat the dealer’s poker hands.
How To Play Pai Gow Poker – Rules and Betting
Each round of Pai Gow Poker begins with each player placing a wager. Each player is then dealt seven cards. Many casinos follow a tradition in which the dealer deals seven hands regardless of how many players are seated at the table. Each player is then randomly given one of those seven-card hands.
After the players have their hands, each player arranges his cards into two different hands. One hand should contain five cards and the other hand should contain two cards. It is important to note that the five card hand should always have a higher value than the two card hand.
Hand Values
The five card hand in Pai Gow Poker is ranked according to traditional poker rules with a couple of exceptions. For one, most casinos treat the hand A-2-3-4-5 as the second highest straight behind T-J-Q-K-A in Pai Gow Poker.
Secondly, the joker card is used as a “bug.” That means it can be used to complete straights and flushes only. Otherwise, it is considered an Ace. As a result, the highest possible five card hand in Pai Gow Poker is five Aces.
The two card hand in Pai Gow Poker is also ranked according to traditional poker rules. Because there are only two cards in this hand, the highest possible two card hand is a pair of Aces. If there is no pair, the two card hand is ranked by the strength of each card. The lowest possible two card hand in Pai Gow Poker is 2-3.
Remember that when setting your hand, the five card hand must be stronger than the two card hand. This means that you would not be able to put a couple of Aces in your two card hand and then leave your five card hand with nothing but a couple of high cards. If you set your hand incorrectly, it is considered “fouled” and treated as a loss.
If you need help setting your Pai Gow Poker hand, you can always ask the dealer to set it for you in the “house way.” The house way is a set of rules the dealer uses to set his own hand. It’s actually not a bad strategy to have your hands set in the house way.
Winning and Losing
After all the players at the table have set their hands, each player compares his hands to the hands of the dealer. The following list details all possible outcomes in Pai Gow Poker:
- Both of the player’s hands beat both of the dealer’s hands: the player wins
- One of the player’s hands wins and one loses: the bet is a push (nobody wins or loses)
- Both of the player’s hands lose: the dealer wins
- One of the hands ties and the player wins the other hand: the bet is a push
- One of the hands ties and the dealer wins the other hand: the dealer wins
All winning bets are paid at even money odds.
Basic Strategy
If playing at a live casino, one simple Pai Gow Poker strategy is to be the banker as often as possible. Some live casinos allow players to be the banker. In this case, the player who is acting as the banker gains the advantage of winning on ties. The house takes a commission from the banker, but the banker’s position is still the best. However, you have to be willing to accept the risk of paying out all the other players at the table.
Apart from that, perfect Pai Gow Poker strategy is almost impossible to memorize. Instead, a couple of simple rules will serve you best. First of all, the main rule to remember is the following:
- Set your two card hand so that it is as strong as the rules allow
Remember – you cannot make your two card hand stronger than your five card hand. But as a general rule of thumb, you will be best served by arranging your cards so that your two card hand is as strong as it can legally be.
If ever in doubt, ask the dealer to set your hand the house way. The house rules for setting Pai Gow Poker hands are close to optimal strategy. If you’re not sure of how to set your hand, the house way won’t lead you far astray.
Pai Gow Poker Rules Las Vegas
Pai Gow at Land Based Casinos
When it comes to live casinos, Pai Gow Poker fans are at the mercy of geography. The best place to play Pai Gow Poker in person depends primarily on where you live and where you are willing to travel. The good news is that Pai Gow Poker is offered at casinos around the world.
In Las Vegas, nearly every casino offers Pai Gow Poker. In that area, you can choose your location based on your own casino preferences and the betting limits. Strip casinos tend to have high minimum bets while downtown casinos will let you play for as little as $5.00 a hand.
The advantage to playing live Pai Gow Poker is that you get to play with other players at the table. The social aspect of Pai Gow Poker provides most of the fun that is associated with live casino games. Being able to talk and joke around with the other players at the table makes it an entertaining game.
Another advantage of live Pai Gow Poker is that live casinos like to give away perks to their players. If you play enough Pai Gow Poker, you will earn freebies such as drinks, meals and rooms. The exact perks differ from one casino to the next, but the general idea is that the more you play, the more you earn at that casino.
Pai Gow Poker At Online Casinos
Online casinos also offer Pai Gow poker for real money. Every online casinos offers Pai Gow Poker, so your choice should be based on factors such as the reputation of any potential casinos and the betting limits allowed. You will find the best experience by sticking with big name internet casinos.
One nice thing about internet Pai Gow Poker is that the minimum bets are much smaller than at live casinos. Most internet casinos will let you start playing for as little as $1.00 per hand. The slow nature of Pai Gow Poker and low house advantage make it possible to play online for a long time without spending a lot of money.
Another nice thing about online Pai Gow Poker is that all internet casinos offer some sort of signup bonus to new players. If you sign up at an online casino and make a deposit, you will probably get a large deposit bonus. This extra money gives you more time at the tables and more chances to win.
The one disadvantage to playing Pai Gow Poker online is that it’s done from home without other people around. On one hand, this can be a blessing, but it does feel like a more lonely endeavor than live Pai Gow Poker. On the other hand, being able to play from home is extremely convenient.
If you decide to play Pai Gow Poker online, it is important that you do a little research before you join just any old casino. Look up a few online casino reviews before you play so that you stick with reputable casinos only. Most casinos are completely safe, but it doesn’t hurt to do a couple minutes of research before you sign up and play for real money.
When playing Pai Gow Poker online, it’s important to have a firm understanding of Pai Gow Poker rules and strategies. In addition, you should choose an online casino site that offers Pai Gow Poker, Pai Gow Poker variations, and lucrative bonuses specific to Pai Gow Poker. Pai Gow Poker online is best enjoyed at a site with helpful customer service and a variety of banking methods.
Pai Gow Poker Online Bonuses
Most online casinos offer lucrative initial signup bonuses to their Pai Gow Poker online players. However, players who plan to devote most of their real money play time exclusively to Pai Gow Poker should find a site offering Pai Gow Poker-specific bonuses. Usually, these types of bonuses are more lucrative than those that can be used for any casino games. Look for a bonus with a high matching percentage, high maximum value, low wagering requirement and extended expiration period. Other bonuses, such as reload bonuses, Refer a Friend bonuses and loyalty rewards programs are also useful for maximizing your bankroll while playing Pai Gow Poker online.
Many online casinos offer Pai Gow Poker bonuses in order to attract new players and maintain their existing Pai Gow Poker player base. The most common Pai Gow Poker bonuses include initial deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, Refer a Friend bonuses and VIP membership programs. In some cases, online casinos offer Pai Gow Poker-specific bonuses. These bonuses are often quite lucrative, and are restricted to certain game types such as Pai Gow Poker.
Initial Deposit Pai Gow Poker Bonuses
Initial deposit bonuses are the most common bonuses offered by online casinos, and these bonuses can be used to wager on Pai Gow Poker and other popular casino games. When you accept an initial deposit bonus for Pai Gow Poker, the online casino will match a certain percentage of your first deposit. The bonus is usually capped at a specified maximum value.
For example, you might receive a 100% initial deposit Pai Gow Poker bonus worth up to $600. You could deposit any amount up to $600 and receive the amount of your deposit as an additional bonus. If you deposit more than $600, you’ll still receive a $600 bonus.
Often, online casinos offer high roller initial deposit bonuses. In this case, you might need to deposit a certain minimum amount, such as $500, in exchange for a larger initial deposit bonus, such as 100% up to $2000. This is an ideal bonus for players who plan to play high stakes Pai Gow Poker.
Pai Gow Poker Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses for Pai Gow Poker work in a similar fashion to initial deposit bonuses, except they’re awarded upon later deposits. You might receive reload Pai Gow Poker bonuses in exchange for depositing with a certain banking method or depositing on a certain day of the week. Reload bonuses are usually less lucrative than initial deposit bonuses. Common examples of reload bonuses include 10% up to $200 or 20% up to $100.
Refer a Friend Pai Gow Poker Bonuses
Refer a Friend bonuses are also commonly offered by online casino sites. With a Refer a Friend Pai Gow Poker bonus, you’ll receive a cash bonus in exchange for referring a friend to the site. In some cases, your bonus will be a static value, such as $25 or $50 per friend. In other cases, you’ll receive a bonus equal to a certain percentage of your friend’s first deposit. For example, a 10% Refer a Friend bonus would reward you with $100 when your friend deposits $1000.
Typically, your friend will need to register for an account and make a real money deposit before your bonus becomes available.
Game-Specific Pai Gow Poker Bonuses
Sometimes, online casinos offer bonuses that are specific to a certain game type, such as Pai Gow Poker. In this case, you’ll accept a bonus and then only be allowed to use your bonus funds for Pai Gow Poker. Since these types of bonuses limit the game types available to you, they’re often more lucrative than other bonuses. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of any bonus to determine which game types are available for real money play.
Pai Gow Poker Online Variations
Though most Pai Gow sites offer the standard ruleset explained above, the best online casino sites offer Pai Gow Poker variations. One of the more popular Pai Gow Poker variations is Pai Gow Poker Mania, which allows for two side bets during each hand. No Push Pai Gow Poker is another popular variation, in which all ties are broken by comparing two of the extra cards left over after a full deal.
Some online casinos offer a game simply called “Pai Gow.” Players seeking Pai Gow Poker online should be aware that Pai Gow is actually a completely different casino game that is played with Chinese dominoes instead of standard playing cards.
More and more online casino sites are now offering gamblers the opportunity to play live dealer Pai Gow Poker. This is a new variation on traditional Pai Gow Poker games, in which the player is able to view a video stream of a live dealer as play progresses. Betting decisions are still made via an interactive software interface, while players enjoy watching and hearing the live dealer directing their game. The rules of Live Dealer Pai Gow Poker are identical to those found in traditional Pai Gow Poker games.
In a traditional Pai Gow Poker game, each player receives seven cards which he or she must split into a 5-card hand and a 2-card hand. The dealer must then do the same with his or her seven cards. Next, the hands are compared against one another in order to determine a winner. There are several Pai Gow Poker game variations which involve side bets, pushes and various other rule changes.
No Push Pai Gow Poker Game Variation
No Push Pai Gow Poker is a Pai Gow Poker game variation that you’ll find at several live casinos and a few online casinos. No Push Pai Gow Poker uses the same rules as traditional Pai Gow Poker with a few key exceptions.
First, the dealer must always act as the banker. Second, No Push Pai Gow Poker does not charge players a 5% commission on each win, which is standard practice for normal Pai Gow Poker.
The most important rule change, however, deals with the way in which pushes (extremely common in standard Pai Gow Poker) are eliminated from the game. As in any Pai Gow Poker game, four cards will be left over after the dealer distributes seven hands. The first of these leftover cards is placed on a marked area for the players. The second leftover card is placed in an area for the dealer. The dealer turns these cards over after arranging his hands.
In the event of a tie between a player’s 5-card and 2-card hands with the dealer’s hands, the tiebreaker cards are used. If the dealer’s tiebreaker card is equal to or greater than the player’s tiebreaker card, the dealer wins. Jokers are always treated as Aces when they are tiebreaker cards.
Pai Gow Poker Mania
Pai Gow Poker Mania is an interesting Pai Gow Poker game variation in which two side bets are available to players. The side bets are available on the first three cards received by the player, as well as the full seven card hand. Players may look at their first three cards in order to determine whether to make the first side bet, and the same is true after all seven cards are dealt.
Examples of payout ratios for the 3-card side bet include:
- Natural Straight Flush – 40:1
- Three of a Kind – 30:1
- Wild Straight Flush – 5:1
- Straight – 4:1
- Flush – 3:1
- Pair – 1:1
- Five Aces – 500:1
- Royal Flush – 250:1
- Straight Flush – 50:1
- Four of a Kind – 25:1
- Full House – 5:1
- Flush – 4:1
- Three of a Kind – 3:1
- Straight – 2:1
Pai Gow Poker Rules Joker
All hands below a straight count as a loss for the 7-card site bet in the Pai Gow Poker Mania game variation.
What Is The House Advantage?
The house advantage of Pai Gow Poker depends primarily upon how its played. With basic strategy, Pai Gow Poker has a low house advantage. That low house advantage plus the slow pace of the game make it a popular one for money-conscious gamblers.
Generally, the house advantage of Pai Gow Poker is less than 3%. The advantage can fluctuate based on how you play, but most players get the hang of basic strategy fairly quickly. House rules can also affect the advantage, but at most casinos that advantage is less than 3%.
Pai Gow Poker Joker Rules
Anything can happen over the short term with a low house advantage like that found in Pai Gow Poker. This game is attractive to the player because most rounds end up in a tie or win for the player. The casino does have an advantage over the long run, but it’s lower in Pai Gow Poker than it is in most casino games.
There are many qualities to look for in the best Pai Gow Poker sites. First, it’s important to seek a site that offers Pai Gow Poker for both real money play and free play. In addition, some Pai Gow Poker sites offer multiple Pai Gow Poker variations, giving you more opportunities to hone your Pai Gow Poker skills. The best Pai Gow Poker sites also offer lucrative bonuses, comprehensive customer support, high quality software options and secure real money banking methods.
A Brief History
Pai Gow Poker was invented in the 1980s by casino game inventor and Commerce Casino manager Fred Wolf. He invented an early version of the game called Super Pan-9 and introduced it to the Bell Club in California. The game quickly become a customer favorite and it spread throughout the rest of California and into major Las Vegas casinos.
The original game of “Pai Gow” is an ancient Chinese dominoes game. The history of that game is difficult to track, but we know that the Chinese invented it and brought it with them to the United States in the 1800s. The original game is complicated and very difficult to master.
Pai Gow Poker was invented as a sort of combination between that original Pai Gow game and the American game of poker. The combination resulted in a simplified format of both games that can be played in casinos against a single dealer. Since those early days, Pai Gow Poker has spread to casinos around the word.
The Game In A Nutshell
Pai Gow Poker is a fun but slow-paced game. Ties are common in this game so money changes hands more slowly in this game than in most. Some players view that as an advantage wile others consider it a disadvantage. In our opinion, the entire point of gambling is to have fun, and Pai Gow Poker does exactly that without burning through your bankroll quickly.
Pai Gow Poker is loosely based on the ancient Chinese game “Pai Gow” but with much simpler rules. It can be played both live and on the internet, so a game is always available no matter where you live. We believe it is best to get started on the internet to get the game down pat and then make the switch to live casinos.
Basic strategy for Pai Gow Poker is simple to learn and it keeps the house advantage below 3%. Setting your hands is fun and the game has a generally positive and friendly feel to it. If you play for real money, you are bound to have a good outcome no matter what the outcome.
Enjoy!
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