Pai Gow Poker History
Pai Gow began in China. It is a very old card game. You may find that it is a little complicated as it is based on tiles such as dominoes are. The tiles are going to be made into four groups by the dealer. The dealer will then roll dice to see which of the players will get the tiles.
Since this early game there have been several different styles to Pai Gow with some changing to the rules. The rules changed in the 19th century when Pai Gow began extremely popular in China again. We don't know that much about the game rules and how they have changed, just that they have over time. Pai Gow Poker is based on the tile game mentioned above. The difference is of course you are playing with cards rather than tiles. Some of the rules may also be altered. Pai Gow is a bit like poker in some respects as well.
It was not until the 1980's that Pai Gow Poker made its way to the US. In fact the first time this game was seen it was played in California where a lot of Chinese immigrants started to make a home. Las Vegas started playing Pai Gow Poker in 1987. It took even longer for placed like Atlantic City to get the game. Some of the problem was related to the laws of the state. Since this time the casinos have offered it as popularity has demanded, though it is not as greatly demanded as other games. Online casinos are the place you might want to play Pai Gow poker.
Pai Gow Poker Rules
Like most poker games, in order to begin you must place your ante bet. After the bet has been placed you are able to get seven cards. The seven cards you get will be based on chance. The dealer is going to roll dice. Whatever the outcome of those dice will determine the seven cards the player will get. The player is going to structure the seven cards in to two hands. The first hand will be five cards and is called the behind hand. The second is two cards and called the front hand. The five cards should be poker related. In other words you need to structure the best five card poker hand that you can. The highest hand is the Royal Flush and the lowest is usually a pair. You may also have the Ace, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as a straight, also called the wheel. The second hand if possible should be a pair. It should be the highest two card pair that you can get if the option is available.
The banker will start the house rules once all hands are arranged to satisfaction of the players. This means the behind hand is going to be shown by the dealer as well as the players. Then the player and dealer will show the front hand. If a copy, known as the tie occurs, the banker gets the winnings. A player that has a better hand than the dealer will get even money. The banker will earn a 5 percent tax on all winnings. When the player wins one hand but loses the other, that is a push. Obviously if you lose both hands you lose both wagers. On a push you get one bet back.
The two card hand should never be higher than the five card hand. This is a 'foul' and automatic loss for both hands. The joker is a wild card that can be used on straights, flushes, and straight flushes. It will be used as an ace in all other hands. The joker will be the highest unused card in the hand.
A dragon hand is dealt when there is an empty chair at the table. This hand can be played depending on the casino rules.
The casino may supply the banker and in most cases probably does. However, in some casinos you as the player can be the banker. You are still going to be charged the 5 percent tax in the game even if a player or players act as the dealer during the game. The dealer or banker is going to win on the ties so it is to your advantage. The banker position is going to alternate around the table in a clockwise format. Some players may decline and that is all right. The bank will move on.
If you are going to be the bank you must have money to cover the winning bets. In other words the money on the table must be able to pay off all the winners for the players. You also need to play a hand against the house bank in order to be the banker. You can in some casinos have co- bankers. The house is usually the financial end of things in this circumstance. Any player acting as banker needs to know the house way rules in order to bank. Most casinos will not allow co banking to happen anymore, but on a rare occasion you might find just the spot. It is to your advantage to be the banker, so remember that in the rules and strategy.
Pai Gow Poker Rules
Like most poker games, in order to begin you must place your ante bet. After the bet has been placed you are able to get seven cards. The seven cards you get will be based on chance. The dealer is going to roll dice. Whatever the outcome of those dice will determine the seven cards the player will get. The player is going to structure the seven cards in to two hands. The first hand will be five cards and is called the behind hand. The second is two cards and called the front hand. The five cards should be poker related. In other words you need to structure the best five card poker hand that you can. The highest hand is the Royal Flush and the lowest is usually a pair. You may also have the Ace, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as a straight, also called the wheel. The second hand if possible should be a pair. It should be the highest two card pair that you can get if the option is available.
The banker will start the house rules once all hands are arranged to satisfaction of the players. This means the behind hand is going to be shown by the dealer as well as the players. Then the player and dealer will show the front hand. If a copy, known as the tie occurs, the banker gets the winnings. A player that has a better hand than the dealer will get even money. The banker will earn a 5 percent tax on all winnings. When the player wins one hand but loses the other, that is a push. Obviously if you lose both hands you lose both wagers. On a push you get one bet back.
The two card hand should never be higher than the five card hand. This is a 'foul' and automatic loss for both hands. The joker is a wild card that can be used on straights, flushes, and straight flushes. It will be used as an ace in all other hands. The joker will be the highest unused card in the hand.
A dragon hand is dealt when there is an empty chair at the table. This hand can be played depending on the casino rules.
The casino may supply the banker and in most cases probably does. However, in some casinos you as the player can be the banker. You are still going to be charged the 5 percent tax in the game even if a player or players act as the dealer during the game. The dealer or banker is going to win on the ties so it is to your advantage. The banker position is going to alternate around the table in a clockwise format. Some players may decline and that is all right. The bank will move on.
If you are going to be the bank you must have money to cover the winning bets. In other words the money on the table must be able to pay off all the winners for the players. You also need to play a hand against the house bank in order to be the banker. You can in some casinos have co- bankers. The house is usually the financial end of things in this circumstance. Any player acting as banker needs to know the house way rules in order to bank. Most casinos will not allow co banking to happen anymore, but on a rare occasion you might find just the spot. It is to your advantage to be the banker, so remember that in the rules and strategy.
Pai Gow Poker Strategy
We are going to outline the strategy for Pai Gow Poker to help you get an idea of what might offer more winnings. Pai Gow has two hands and both are very important for the win. The casino edge will be 2.3 percent, which is low compared to other games, but still not the best.
Both hands need to be strong in order to win, so we will get to that further in a moment. If the hand is not strong a tie could be produced. You also want your behind hand to be higher than the front hand. You could lose the bet if you don't get the higher back hand as it is considered a 'foul'.
We have offered a table below to help you understand the types of hands you need as well as the odds for winning. You will be playing the dealer so be careful regarding these odds. We will also offer you a bit of help in understanding the hands.
|
Your Hand |
Back Hand (5 cards) |
Front Hand (2 cards) |
|
No Pair |
The Highest Hand |
2nd and 3rd Highest Hand |
|
One Pair |
Pair |
The Next Two Highest Cards |
|
Two Pair (one of them Aces) |
Pair of Aces |
Other Pair |
|
Two Pair |
One Pair |
Other Pair |
|
Three Pair |
2nd and 3rd Highest Pair |
Highest Pair |
|
Three of a Kind |
Three of a kind (Unless 3 Aces a place 2 in this hand) |
(3 Aces a place 1 Ace here) |
|
5,6,or 7 card Straight |
Lowest possible cards to complete the Straight |
The two highest cards that keep the five card hand's straight. |