As you settle in at the pai gow poker table, understanding the game’s structure provides the foundation for strategic play. While lively and social, pai gow runs on specific guidelines all players must follow. Mastering these protocols will have you contributing to – rather than confusing – the game flow.
Key gameplay policies include:
- Seven gamers maximum sit at the table with the banker/dealer to be dealt hands of seven cards each.
- Using those seven cards, gamers construct two poker hands – a two-card front hand and five-card back hand, with the back hand of higher rank.
- Once set, gamers reveal hands and compare to the banker’s. Beat both of the banker’s hands to win. Lose both and the wager goes to the house. Split hands with the banker results in a push.
- The joker plays wild – use it to complete straights or flushes if possible. Otherwise it defaults to an ace.
Strategic Hand Arrangement
Once the dealer passes out the seven card hands, the real pai gow poker challenge begins – strategically splitting your cards into optimal front and back hands. Careful configuration of your hands against the banker precipitates victory or defeat. Follow these tips for arranging your cards:
- Assess the raw materials – gauge what poker hands your cards can make before diving into set up.
- Remember the back hand outranks the front – if your front hand is a pair, your back hand must beat a pair.
- Use the joker wisely – save it for straights and flushes first, default it to an ace if you can’t.
- Weigh risk vs reward – set your hands offensively for a chance at a big win or defensively to reduce losing both hands.
- When in doubt, ask the dealer – they can help arrange your hands while avoiding fouls.
Wild Card Strategies
In pai gow poker, the joker provides tantalizing opportunities to strengthen your hand. As the wildcard, it holds the power to complete essential combinations like straights and flushes. But simply throwing it into a mediocre hand diminishes its potential. For optimal use of the joker:
Assess its value before placing – could it complete a straight or a flush in either of your hands? If not, default to using it as an ace.
- Boost existing strong hands first – bolster four-of-a-kind or a full house before using it on weaker hand foundations.
- Be wary of breaking up pairs and high cards to play it – ensure any hand rearrangements improve your overall odds.
- Consider its impact on both hands strategically – the joker may strengthen one hand significantly while weakening the other.
Gameplay Rhythm and Flow
While pai gow poker incorporates strategic decisions, the game progresses at a lively pace driven by specific dealing and play sequences. Understanding the rhythmic flow of play allows you to focus on your strategy rather than scrambling to keep up. Refer to this cheat sheet outlining key phases:
| Phase | Description |
| The Deal | Dealer shuffles cards and deals 7 facedown to each gamer and themselves, with 4 unused extra cards placed in the discard pile |
| Setting Hands | Each gamer arranges their 7 cards into a 5-card back hand and 2-card front hand, with the back hand >= front hand rank |
| Reveal Hands | Gamers place completed hand arrangements face-up to compare to the dealer’s hands |
| Payouts & Commissions | If gamer wins both hands, they receive payouts minus commissions. If gamer loses both hands, they forfeit wagers to the dealer. A split results in a push. |
Ranking Pai Gow Poker Hands
While arranging your pai gow poker hands, refer to standard poker hand hierarchies – with slight modifications – to set hands strategically:
- Five Aces (Four Aces w/Joker)
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Note the five aces hand trumps even the royal flush due to the joker’s inclusion. Also, with low ace-high hands in the two card front arrangement, pairs rank exceedingly high given the limited combinations possible.
Tactics for Pai Gow Poker Success
While chance drives much pai gow poker gameplay, implementing strategic principles significantly improves your odds. Refer to this playbook of tips for steady gains against the house:
| Tactic | Description |
| Set Hands Aggressively | Take calculated risks with volatile hands for potential big payouts |
| Utilize Defensive Strategy | With weaker hands, set them cautiously to avoid losing both hands |
| Assess Opponents | Gather intel on opponents’ strategies to inform decision-making |
| Master Side Bets | Understand odds behind side bets; use sparingly as house advantage is high |
| Know When to Quit | Quit while you’re ahead to protect earnings from spiraling losses |
Pai Gow Poker Side Bets
While the main pai gow poker game provides plenty excitement, many venues tempt thrill-seekers with optional side bets for a chance at big bonus payouts:
- Fortune Bonus Bet – Wager on hitting premium hands like straight flushes or four-of-a-kind
- Emperor’s Challenge – Bet that you’ll beat the dealer’s high hand with your own
- Progressive Jackpot – Small chance at hitting jackpot for seven-card straight flush
- Envy Bonus – Wager on another gamer hitting a huge hand to snag part of their monster payout
Understanding Pai Gow Poker Payouts
While pai gow poker wins bring exhilaration, payouts face reduction from the house commission. Typically 5%, understanding commission impacts helps manage expectations on earnings:
| Outcome | Payout Impact |
| Win Both Hands | Full payout minus commission |
| Lose Both Hands | Forfeit full wager to dealer |
| Split/Push | No exchange of monies |
Mobile Pai Gow Poker Convenience
Can’t make it to the casino but have an urge to play pai gow poker? Download a pai gow app! Top-rated mobile apps allow playing this classic game from anywhere without traveling to a poker room. These real money pai gow poker apps offer:
- Generous signup bonuses to extend playtime
- Smooth user interfaces for easily arranging hands
- Authentic Vegas rules and odds on wagers
- Trusted security and account tools
Achieving Pai Gow Poker Greatness
While mastering pai gow poker requires diligence, implementing these advanced tactics sets you on the path towards expertise:
- Learn optimal hand setting strategies for common card combinations to speed up decision-making.
- Gain precision on hand odds and payouts to inform high risk, high reward play decisions.
- Read opponents’ styles and tendencies to leverage against them.
- Practice bankrolling skills – set loss limits, manage hot streaks, and plan exit strategies.
Absorb wisdom from veteran gamers on gamer forums and at the tables.
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