Pai Gow is a type of poker that gives players a chance to try their luck against the house. They do not play against other players, at least not according to the basic rules and versions of the game. In ancient China, dominoes were played with tiles, and then the rules were used to make a classic card game.
The goal of the old Chinese game was to collect a sum that would be nine. In fact, even the translation of the words pai gow literally means “collect nine”. The game has become so popular that you can easily find it in today’s online casinos, so we recommend you view it so you can have an idea of what we are actually talking about.
The most important thing to understand is that here you need knowledge and skills and that luck are really important, but a small factor when you play poker like this.
52 standard deck cards are used, plus the joker, which means you have a total of 53 cards in play. The Joker can replace a card, but not in every possible combination. For example, it is allowed to replace your A, but also to complete straight flush and straight flush. You can not use it in other situations.
The person who shares and the player play against each other. The first bet is made, so seven cards are dealt with everyone, with the goal of dividing them into five and two. Of course, you play by the rules of the house. The hand with five cards is your main one, and the one with two is your spare. The basic rule is that the one with five cards should have a higher ranking than the other. With the other, you have options pair or not pair.
Here are the things you need to know:
1. Rankings of victory
In pai gow poker, we have already emphasized that a two-card hand is always even or odd. But, for example, a royal flush is when you get A, K, Q, J, and 10 in the same color, while a straight flush is everything in the same color but with smaller cards. It is interesting that straight from A, K, Q, J, and 10 is the strongest straight, but second in strength is A, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The other rankings are four of a king, full house, flush, three of a kind, two pair, one pair и high card. If you have one pair or high card in the five cards, in order to continue the game, you need to be weaker than the top cards, ie the hand with both cards. For example, if you have a pair of two cards and a high card in the five, the game is not valid. Therefore you need to distribute them correctly.
2. Possible outcomes of this game
Although it may seem simple to remember these rules, the fact is that things become quite different if you try to apply them in practice. But what you also need to know is that you can end in a draw, that is, you and the dealer have equally strong cards. You can also win with a five-card hand but lose with a two-card hand, or vice versa.
You can win with both hands or you can lose. At pai gow poker, the casino can charge you a 1% to 5% commission, and thus win you over, no matter what your winnings. But lately, many casinos have decided to reject this practice, so all the player gets is for him, eventually to keep about 1% of the profit.
3. The strategic approach is very simple
If you are already used to the rules of classic poker, then it will be quite easy for you to learn them at pai gow. The interesting thing is that you bet once and then wait for the outcome. The trick is to combine the cards in a way that will ensure you win, ie you will get the most out of what you have.
Of course, sometimes you have to rely on the highest card or just a pair, but you already know that you will not win every time you play. The trick is to lose as little as possible and not get into a situation where you will spend all your money at the very beginning of the game.
4. Costs are not progressive
Since there is no increase in the initial investment, we can say that playing pai gow, apart from being fun, will not actually drain your pocket. No matter how much you spend, you certainly will not suddenly invest $ 500 or more.
We are sure that you, as a gambler, know exactly how to strategically allocate your budget. Of course, there is a chance to lose, but the good thing is that you do not play with big stakes.
5. The game is fun and exercises your brain
To play pai gow also means to be focused on different combinations and outcomes, as well as to get the best out of every possible situation. We are sure that you know how to do it, but also that you will be able to do it even better when you gain more experience. These activities at some point act as exercises for your brain.
Words as a conclusion
Although the game is simple, the rules are understandable, and the winnings are not progressive, you must know that we are still talking about poker as a gambling activity. In such situations, it is always best to have control over how much money you spend and to set a limit on yourself so that you know when it’s enough.
Gambling is fun until it becomes a problem. And when it does, it’s really hard to go back. Have fun, but have limits to what you do.
Choose Pai Gow, because only then can you be sure that you will not spend all your money unless you decide to play all day without a chance to stop.
