The term Pai Gow is literally translated as "make nine" in the Chinese
language. Today, it is a popular poker game that is played in both land based
and online casinos around the world. The game, as it is played presently, is
quite different than when it was first introduced in China. It was not always
played with cards (real or virtual) but was originally played using dominoes.
Somehow, the Pai Gow was merged with poker and has become the modern form of the
game that most people are familiar with today. Pai Gow is one of two extremely
popular casino games founded in China. The other is Keno.
The original version of the Pai Gow was military inspired. It was very much
about precision. Dominoes were split into various groups and the dealer would
determine who the groups went to. The game, in its' original form, was pretty
difficult and quite different from how it is played today.
Somehow and some way Pai Gow evolved rather significantly from where it first
began. It went from a game played with dominoes to one played with cards. Today
it is a popular poker game.
For all intents and purposes this is a newer version of poker. However, the
game in its original form, has been played, though admittedly quite differently,
for at least a few hundreds of years.
Nearly 30 years ago, in the 1980s, Pai Gow poker became a part of the poker
world. It was known then as double handed poker. It became extremely popular
quite fast and players really took to it. The game got its start in California
but casinos in gambling Meccas such as Atlantic City and Las Vegas quickly
picked up the game and offered it to their patrons. Now, you can find Pai Gow
poker in most casinos around the world and even at many online casinos.
The updated version of Pai Gow is a bit different than the regular game.
Although the rules are largely similar to other types of poker games, you do
play with two hands. Another difference is that fifty-three cards are used
instead of 52.
This extra card is known as the wild card or joker. A total of seven people
can participate in each game. Players are not competing with each other but with
the dealer.
Pai Gow, as the game is played and known today, is significantly different
than it was when it was first created. What was once an extremely complicated,
military style game has become a really well-received type of poker. The game
was introduced in the latter form in the late 1980s in the great state of
California and has since become very popular all over the world. You will find
people playing it in land based casinos as well as online ones.
The rules of the games are quite similar to those of basic poker, though
there are a few twists, one being the additional card. Instead of playing with a
52 card standard deck, the game is played with 53, the last card acting as a
wild card. Players also play with two hands.
The evolution of Pai Gow as a complicated game played with dominoes to one
that became merged with poker, is a bit of a mystery. Somehow, someway, someone
had the insight and imagination to turn it into a poker game. Players who enjoy
this form of the game are undoubtedly very pleased and probably a bit grateful.
