Pai Gow Poker for Beginners
Two years ago, I started playing Pai Gow Poker. The following Pai Gow Poker for Beginners will get you started. Pai Gow Poker is a relatively easy game compared to Pai Gow Tiles. Let’s get started.
Pai Gow Poker For Beginners
How Did It Start?
As we know it today, Pai Gow Poker came about in the mid-1980s. There is some controversy surrounding who first developed the game. Generally, its origins are widely credited to Sam Torosian and his partner Fred Wolf. The game was modeled and named after Pai Gow Tiles. This Chinese domino game dates back about a thousand years to the Song Dynasty, from 960 to 1279.
Starting The Game
Six players join the dealer at the table, playing with a 52-card deck plus one joker. Seven cards are dealt with each seat, whether someone is sitting in it. Each player receives a seven-card hand to start. Then, players divide their seven cards into two hands, one with five cards and two. The goal is to defeat both bankers’ hands, which the dealer usually fills. Players can bank their hands as well.
Playing Pai Gow Poker – Beginner’s Tips
The standard poker rankings apply. In addition, players must ensure that the five-card hand has a more excellent value than the two-card hand. Once the players have arranged their hands, they play it against the banker. (usually the dealer)
The casino allows dealers to help players arrange their hands. “House Way” is the same rule dealers use to set their two hands. Showing your hand to other players and even the pit boss is acceptable for the correct strategy. But, only ask for House Way help after all players set their hands.
Winning the Hand
A player is a winner if both hands beat the banker; they’re a loser if the dealer/banker beats their hands. If one hand wins but the other loses, it’s a push. The dealer returns your ante. If a player ties in with the banker, the banker automatically wins.
Pai Gow is a slow game with many pushes. Approximately more than 40% of the dealt hand pushes. On these bets, you neither win nor lose your original ante. Side bets either win or lose.
Related Post – Pai Gai Poker and Gambling Superstitions
Pai Gow Poker For Beginners – Strategy
Here are some essential strategy tips for beginners from Play Pai Gai Poker.org:
- Don’t split pairs. You’re better off keeping the pair in the back and, in most cases, will push the hand (at worst).
- With two pairs, place your most robust pair in the back (the weakest pair in front).
- Only split them up with 3 of a kind when holding aces. Keep a pair in the back and one ace upfront.
- With three pairs, split them up to have two pairs in the back and one in the front. Place your most robust pair up front.
- Split them up with 4 of a kind and put a pair up front. The exception to this rule is if you’re holding quad 2s through 6s. Always keep these hands intact.
- Split full houses. This is counterintuitive, I know. But the chances are high that if you keep the hand intact (in the back), you’ll push (at best). When you split the hand up, you have a (high) chance of winning.
- When in doubt, ask the dealer to set your cards ‘the house way.’ This is better than guessing and making less-than-optimal plays.
The Joker in Pai Gow
Instead of acting as a whatever-card-you-want wild card, the joker in Pai Gow is called a “bug.” It acts as an ace unless the player can use the joker to fill out a straight or a flush. The joker t also means having five aces, the best possible five-card hand in Pai Gow.
Summary
So there you have it. I suggest you try the Wizard of Odds website to practice before you hit the tables.
Binbin