Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker, or double-hand poker, is an Americanized version of Pai Gow. The original Pai Gow is played with Chinese dominoes. Pai Gow Poker is played with playing cards, using poker hand rankings. Unlike most 'home' poker games, you're not playing against other/multiple players, your only competition is the casino dealer.

Pai Gow Poker - Gameplay

Pai Gow Poker is a sever card poker variant. You’re dealt seven cards and you must create two poker hands; a five-card poker hand and a two-card poker hand. The five-card hand must rank higher than your two-card hand. The two-card hand is often called the hand "in front" or "on top", and the five-card hand is called the hand "behind" or "bottom" (as they are placed that way in front of the player when he is done setting them.)

In order to collect a win, both of your hands must beat both of the dealer’s hands. If only one of your hands beats the dealer, the hand is a push and your wager is returned. If both of your hands are inferior to the casino/dealer, you lose your bet. Ties also go to the house/dealer (this is where the casino has an advantage.) Note: If you lose one of your hands and tie the second, this is a losing venture and your wager goes to the house.

Your five card hand will be valued according to standard poker hand rankings (2 pair, 3 of a kind, Straights, Flushes, Etc.) Your two-card hand will either be a pair and/or two high cards. There is one exception to these rankings: in most Nevada casinos, the hand A-2-3-4-5 ranks above a king-high straight, but below the ace-high straight A-K-Q-J-10. At most casinos in California & Michigan, this rule doesn't apply; the A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible straight. If you're playing Pai Gow Online, be sure to check the house rules.

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Note: Pai Gow poker is played with 53 cards. The joker is used as a ‘bug’ (a limited form of a wild card.) The bug can be used to create straights or flushes, otherwise it represents an Ace (though, in some Pai Gow games the joker is completely wild, check the house rules before anteing up.)

Setting your hands in Pai Gow Poker: Most online casinos offer to automatically set your cards according to house rules (also known as the “house way.”) Choosing/clicking House-way is a major advantage when playing Pai Gow in online casinos. When playing live, if you happen to make an error and set your hand incorrectly, many casinos will foul your hand and claim your wager. This doesn’t happen online. If you make an error when setting the hand, the software will let you know. Plus, there’s rarely a need to steer from ‘house way.’ Its optimal strategy and most beginners should take this option.

FYI: Some online casinos, such as Microgaming’s “Mummy’s Gold” offer a bonus version of Pai Gow, where you have the option to place a bonus bet at the start of the hand. If you make three of a kind or better, you qualify for a bonus payout. The bigger your hand, the bigger the bonus.

Pai Gow Poker is a fun, leisure game that we highly recommend. Most online casinos offer Pai Gow. which means you can try it out free of charge. we suggest you do just that! Try Pai Gow Poker today!