Pai Gow is a relatively new version of the game of poker. It was introduced
in the 1980s and has been around more than 30 years. Since that time it has
become extremely popular and well received by poker players.
The rules of Pai Gow poker are not overly complicated, although some people
may find it a bit challenging at first. It might take some time to get a firm
handle on all of the nuisances but this is often true with any type of new game
or experience. The original version of the Pai Gow is much different than the
one played today. It once was a precision like game played with dominoes and had
very little nothing in common with traditional poker.
Modern day Pai Gow is a poker game that has every player pitted against the
dealer. The goal is to beat the house and not the other players. The game is
played with 53 cards, a standard deck plus a Joker (which is the wildcard).
To begin play, each person places the bet. The dealer then deals with every
player getting seven cards. The goal is for each player to successfully split
their 7 cards into two hands, one is a five card hand and the other, a two card
hand. The joker counts as an ace. It can also be utilized to make a flush,
straight flush or straight.
The hand with two cards should be two high cards or a pair. The five card
hand should be played similarly to a Stud poker hand (5 card of course). The
five card hand has to have a higher value then your two card hand. If a player
fails at his matter and their 2 card hand is of higher value then their five
card hand, they automatically lose.
The best two card hand that a player can possess is 2 Aces. The best that a
player can do with their 5 card hand is a Royal Flush.
Pai Gow is not a fast paced poker game. In fact, it is pretty slow,
especially compared to other types of poker. Individuals that want to spend
their time playing lightening paced games will likely be pretty bored playing
Pai Gow. When this is a case, players should find a game more suitable to their
temperament.
Online, the rules of Pai Gow can differ from those that govern land based
casino games. There is a "House Way", that some online casinos offer. This
option is available only after a player has made a bet and has been shown their
cards. In this version of the game, the house will provide the player with the
top 2 hands for the cards they have been dealt. The "House Way" is only
available online.
The end goal of Pai Gow is obviously to win. Each player is looking create
two hands that are stronger than both of the dealer's hands. The 2 card hands
will be compared with each other (the dealer and each player), as will the 5
card hands. A player needs to have a stronger 2 card hand than the dealer's 2
card hand and a better 5 card hand. If one hand is ranked equally, there is a
tie and the dealer wins. When players win one hand, but not both, a push occurs
and no money is lost or won. Winners are paid straight up and the casino takes
5%.
