In order to win at Pai Gow, both of your hands (High Hand and Low Hand) must
beat both of the dealer's hands. In this form of poker, you have two hands. One
is made up of 2 cards (Low Hand) and the other, 5 cards (High Hand). If you
don't trump the dealer with both hands, then you lose. If either of your hands
matches the dealers, then there is a tie. The dealer wins all ties. There are a
number of strategies that can be used in order to increase your odds of winning.
Most people understand that poker is a game of skill and if you want to be
successful, you need to learn the game and pick up some good strategies. Below,
are a few that if applied, should help you improve your game.
The first thing to remember when you play Pai Gow is that you goal is to do
the best that you can with the seven cards you are dealt. You need to create the
two strongest hands possible. You will need to make sure that your 2 card hand
is strong but without putting your 5 card hand at risk. It can be a difficult
balance. However, with time, study and a good strategy, you will learn how to
best do both.
It is important that while you are playing Pai Gow that you remember your Low
Hand can not be of higher value then your High hand. If it is, you will
automatically lose. Therefore, keep this in mind when you are creating your
hands.
Your strategies will change based on your circumstances. If you find that you
have no chance of winning but still need to play out your hand, use the best
card that you have in your 5 card hand. Your next highest cards (2nd and 3rd)
should go to your Low Hand.
If you are dealt a pair, place them in your 5 card hand. Place your next two
highest cards in your 2 card hand. If you have two pairs, things can get a bit
trickier. You can use them both in your High Hand. This will definitely
strengthen your High Hand but leave your Low Hand vulnerable. Another option is
to determine which pair is stronger. Place the stronger pair in your High Hand
and the weaker pair in your Low Hand. This may be successful or it may make it
difficult for you to beat the dealer with your High Hand. The final choice will
be dependent upon whether or not you think that you can win and which cards
those pairs are made up of. Neither choice will be right every time.
If you are ever dealt a three-of-a-kind, place it in your High Hand, unless
you have 3 aces. If this is the case, keep two of them in your High Hand and
place the last one in your Low Hand, along with your second highest card.
Your Pai Gow strategies will differ. They will always be more fluid than
static. Make sure that you understand this and play accordingly. You will often
learn when it is best to utilize a particular strategy from experience. Play as
much as you reasonably can and you will slowly begin to understand how to best
split your hands so that you have the greatest chance of winning.
