Learn the Basics of Playing Pai Gow Poker
Are you planning a fun-filled trip to Black Hawk, CO? Give Pai Gow Poker a try! This game is among the most unique and approachable table games you’ll find in many casinos. Combining elements of traditional poker with a strategic hand-setting format, the game offers a different pace than many others. Visit Black Hawk is here to help you understand the basics of Pai Gow Poker and to help you feel comfortable with it. In this guide, we’ll explain what Pai Gow Poker is, review the rules, discuss hand rankings, and cover beginner-friendly strategies that can help you get started.
What Is Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a form of poker that also includes elements from Pai Gow, an ancient Chinese card game. It is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus a joker card. Unlike many poker games where players compete against one another, the goal of Pai Gow Poker is to beat the dealer. Each player receives seven cards that they must divide into two hands: a five-card “high” hand and a two-card “low” hand. To win rounds of Pai Gow Poker, both hands of cards must outrank the dealer’s corresponding hands. If only one hand wins while the other loses, the result is typically a push, meaning neither the players nor the dealer wins.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker (and Pai Gow Poker Rules)
Pai Gow Poker may be a little tricky to get the hang of at first. But once you get familiar with it, we’re sure you’ll have lots of fun. Here’s a general rundown of the rules and how the game usually flows:
- Place Your Wager: You’ll start by placing your bet. Once all participants have placed their bets, no more can be placed until the next round.
- Receive Seven Cards: The dealer will then give you seven cards. And they will also give seven cards to themselves.
- Create Two Hands: Distribute your cards into two separate hands: your five-card “high” hand and your two-card “low” hand.
- Ensure Your High Hand is Stronger Than Your Low Hand: One of the most important rules for Pai Gow Poker is that your five-card hand must rank higher than your two-card hand. Otherwise, you may get disqualified.
- Compare Your Hands to the Dealer’s Hands: Finally, your hand is revealed. Your five- and two-card hands will be compared to that of the dealer’s hands, which determines who wins the round.
The Hand Rankings of Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker uses traditional poker hand rankings for the five-card hand while applying pair and high-card rankings to the two-card hand. The common rankings include the following:
- Five-Card Hands: Your five-card hand can include a Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card. When permitted, you could also play Five Aces with a Joker card.
- Two-Card Hands: Because it’s smaller, the two-card hand usually consists of simple hands like a Pair or High Card.
Forming a Pai Gow Poker Strategy for Beginners
Are you new to Pai Gow Poker? If so, don’t be intimidated. Once you’ve played it enough, you’ll likely get into a groove with it and keep coming back for more matches. Here are some tips and tricks for developing a strategy:
- Learn Proper Hand Setting: The most important strategic decision is properly dividing your seven cards into a high hand and a low hand. As mentioned previously, always ensure that your high hand is better than your low hand.
- Make Both Hands Strong: Though you should prioritize your high hand, ensuring that your low hand is also strong is crucial to winning, as it can increase your chances of winning both comparisons.
- Understand the Casino’s “House Way”: Every casino has house rules for how they play Pai Gow Poker. And many of them will allow you to ask dealers how the house would set a particular hand. This can be a helpful learning tool for beginners.
- Take Your Time: Pai Gow Poker is not a race. One of the advantages of the game is having the opportunity to carefully evaluate your options before setting your hands.
Play Pai Gow Poker in Black Hawk, CO Today!
With its blend of strategy, decision-making, classic poker, and pure, unpredictable luck, we’re sure that Pai Gow Poker will provide you with hours of excitement and fun. Put it on your list of “to-dos” during your next trip to Black Hawk, CO or the surrounding Denver Metro area. Visit Black Hawk is here to help you find your next destination for fun and memories. Please contact us to learn more about the SDMD or BID casinos that currently offer Pai Gow Poker as a game of choice.
How Many Cards Do You Receive in Pai Gow Poker?
Each player receives seven cards, which must be divided into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand.
What Happens If I Win One Hand and Lose the Other in Pai Gow Poker?
In most cases, the result is a push. This means neither you nor the dealer wins the overall wager.
Is Pai Gow Poker a Game of Skill or Luck?
Pai Gow Poker combines both. The cards dealt are random, but strategic hand-setting decisions can influence the outcome of a round.
What Is the House Way in Pai Gow Poker?
The house way is the predetermined method a casino uses to arrange the dealer’s seven cards into a high hand and a low hand. Many beginners use the house way as a guide when learning how to set their own hands.