Traditional poker games like Texas Hold’Em and Stud Poker are some of the prominent casino games that gamblers can play in a Malaysia online casino. However, there are also other exciting poker games, like Pai Gow Poker, that anyone can start playing.
Pai Gow Poker, also referred to as double-hand poker, is a variation based on the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow. The word roughly translates to “Make Nine,” which represents the maximum score using playing cards instead of Chinese dominoes.
Gamblers who want to start to play Pai Gow Poker must first learn about its basic rules and strategies to succeed.
The Basics of Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a slow-paced poker variation that appeals to gamblers looking for a more leisurely version of poker. It is also considered one of the lowest-risk casino games, with its slow pace and many hands ending in a tie or push.
Most poker games make players compete against each other, and the dealer is not involved aside from dealing cards and enforcing the rules. However, Pai Gow Poker is different as it involves playing against the dealer.
Players have two poker hands, from which its alternative name, double-hand poker, is derived. The main objective of Pai Gow Chinese Poker is to beat the dealer with the two-card hand and five-card hand. If one of the player’s hands is the same as the dealer’s, a tie is declared, and the dealer wins.
Pai Gow Poker utilises a 53-card deck – encompassing the standard 52 cards plus one joker that can be used to complete flushes and straights, but they count as an ace in other scenarios. The game can be easier to understand since there is no bluffing involved, and betting only takes place before any cards are dealt. In simpler terms, gamblers can master the best approach in Pai Gow Poker by learning the rules.
The game starts with each player receiving seven cards. They create a five-card hand (high) and a two-card hand (low). The player’s five-card hand must be stronger than the two-card hand. Once the players are satisfied with their hands, they place them face down on the table.
The five-card hand in Pai Gow Poker follows traditional poker rules and hand rankings, such as pairs, straights, and flushes. Meanwhile, the two-card hand is evaluated based on pairs or high cards.
One by one, the player’s hand is compared to the dealer’s. First, the player’s five-card hands are compared to the dealer’s five-card hand before the two-card hand is compared. After this, it can be determined which players have beaten the dealer.
Setting Hands Properly by Knowing the House Way
One of the most important strategies to remember in playing Pai Gow Poker is learning how to set one’s hands properly. This is often referred to as following the “House Way” or the pre-determined setting of the dealer’s hand, depending on the cards that were dealt. The dealer must set their hand on the House Way if they receive specific cards.
The House Way may vary, but it must be clearly outlined for all players. Here are some examples that gamblers might see in online casinos:
- Two Pairs without Ace are separate across front and back, especially if one of the pairs is a seven or higher.
- Two Pairs with Ace are also split if the pairs are Jacks or higher, and at least one card is seven or higher.
- If a Straight and Flush ranking are both choices for the dealer, the Straight is played at the back if the front hand is improved.
Strategies for Playing Pai Gow Poker
Success in Pai Gow Poker is dependent on how the cards are dealt to players, as there are no rounds allotted for betting or additional card drawing. Players usually deal with hands that can be arranged in multiple ways and have different outcomes. Here are some helpful tips on how to arrange hands in Pai Gow Poker to increase your chances of winning:
- Consider using the high cards, such as kings or aces, in the five-card hand and then placing the low pair in the two-card hand, especially if the rest of the cards do not make strong combinations.
- Avoid splitting a full house to strengthen both hands in Pai Gow Poker. Even though it can be tempting, this can backfire. Instead, keep the full house together in a five-card hand and use the remaining two cards in the two-card hands.
- If a player is dealt with four-of-a-kind, players can split the cards into two pairs.
- Consider leaving the game if three hands are lost consecutively, as the push rate of Pai Gow Poker is around 41 per cent.
Pai Gow Poker Variations and Side Bets to Explore
Other variations of Pai Gow Poker are characterised by side bets. These side bets do not add to or subtract from the gambler’s initial bet for the hand itself.
Instead, if the player chooses to play a side bet, they place extra bets on whether they get a specific hand while they are playing Pai Gow Poker. Side bets typically offer higher payouts and excitement, but they also come with greater risk.
The most common Pai Gow Poker variations that offer side bets include the following:
- Fortune Pai Gow Poker, wherein players can place side bets on three-of-a-kind or a better hand.
- Pai Gow Mania Poker, wherein players can make two side bets.
- Progressive Fortune Pai Gow Poker is a variation in which players can make side bets on a combined seven-card straight flush.
Start Playing Pai Gow Poker Today at 88ProAsia
Pai Gow Poker is among the popular poker variations that gamblers can explore. Understanding the rules and strategies involved in Pai Gow Poker online helps gamblers be prepared before they play their first hand.
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