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Pai Gow Poker is the fusion of poker and Pai Gow, a quintessentially Chinese game that was widely played in the 1980s. If Pai Gow is a game that required both skill and logic, Pai Gow Poker actually has nothing to do with it except the same name. We are going to explain to you how to emerge victoriously!
Still, in the shadow of certain casino games such as blackjack, slot machines, and roulette, Pai Gow Poker nevertheless seems to be attracting more and more players around the world. In this first part, we will discuss the origins and meteoric rise of this casino game!
To put it simply, Pai Gow Poker is an Americanized version of Pai Gow, a famous Chinese game. In the late 1980s, two casino owners, Fred Wolf and Sam Torosian invented Pai Gow Poker after many years of observation.
These two entrepreneurs had traveled all over Asia and realized the potential of Pai Gow, a classic domino game unfortunately in decline.
At a time when many Chinese immigrants were occupying American soil, Fred Wolf and Sam Torosian decided to introduce their new game to the United States in order to arouse the interest of Asian workers and traders.
Thus, Pai Gow Poker – born from the merger of the traditional domino game with Texas Hold’em – was born. In the space of a few months, this new game established itself as an essential variant of poker in California casinos.
If it immediately broke into California casinos, Pai Gow Poker also quickly invaded gambling halls across the United States. In Nevada and New Jersey, Pai Gow Poker, for example, attracted many enthusiasts.
The association of poker with entertainment of Asian origin was formidable from a marketing point of view: players in search of exodus and escape could thus travel through this game.
The other factor of the attractiveness of Pai Gow Poker was due to the fact that the player finds himself in a duel against the croupier. Like blackjack, this opposition already provided players with suspense and excitement. It wasn’t long before Pai Gow Poker was exported to all corners of the world.
The game was very well received so that its expansion continued on the digital scene. Indeed, nowadays, online casinos also offer Pai Gow Poker.
Pai Gow Poker is one of the easiest variations of poker to use. Novices will appreciate the fact that the pace of the game is slower than in the standard versions; this is also felt in the frequency of bets and through the sums that can be put into play.
The principle of Pai Gow Poker is relatively simple: the users must try to beat the croupier by forming two specific hands, one being primary, the other secondary. The player automatically wins when his hands total 9 points – note also that “Pai Gow” means nine in Chinese.
It is by playing Pai Gow Poker online that you will discover the true virtues of this game. In addition to the advantages that we have already mentioned above, you will only need to have hands superior to those of your opponent to be able to impose yourself. .
By mastering this game well enough, you will be able to take advantage of the confidentiality provided by Pai Gow Poker to increase your bankroll. Indeed, Pai Gow Poker is a profitable game and is often considered as an intermediate entertainment by poker players, who then like to move on to more difficult and fleshed-out variations.
In addition, Pai Gow Poker players greatly appreciate this variation since they have the opportunity to use tips and strategies to maximize their chances of winning wins.
Pai Gow Poker is a relatively new game in Europe. As a result, other forms of entertainment seem to have priority in online casinos: slot machines, craps, blackjack, video poker, roulette, or even keno.
Luckily, the best online casinos are usually the most comprehensive, so you can play Pai Gow Poker!
We have selected below the gaming sites on which this practice is possible:
As the name suggests, it is primarily a game of poker, but its roots are from a Chinese domino game. Like other poker games, Pai Gow is played with a standard deck of cards. However, we usually leave a joker in the pile of cards. The joker can serve as an ace or can complete a card combination like a straight.
Pai Gow is a form of poker in which you play against a dealer. The principle of Pai Gow Poker is relatively simple and it is, therefore, more of a casino game than a poker game. If you are looking to play Pai Gow online, then this is the place to go to a casino site.
In land-based casinos, you will find Pai Gow near other gaming tables, such as blackjack or roulette. Pai Gow is never played between more than two players: it is a one-on-one card game.
To start the game, both players (the dealer and yourself) must place an initial bet. The dealer then deals seven cards to each player. Players must divide their cards into two hands – a strong hand and a weak hand.
The strong hand is made up of five cards, the weak being made up of only two cards. The strong hand logically has a higher numerical value than the other. If not, the player may even be disqualified by the online casino.
In a land-based establishment, the dealer will likely ask you to correct your mistake two or three times. After this time, he may ask you to learn the rules better or to leave the table…
The first hand has the same value as a classic game of poker. The only difference is that the ace-2-3-4-5 combination is only considered the second strongest draw after the 10-jack-queen-king-ace combination.
As for the second hand, it can only consist of a pair or a draw of cards weaker than the first hand. A pair of aces is automatically stronger than a two-card hand of 2. If the dealer and player both have a pair, the higher pair wins. If both have a pair of exactly the same value, in all cases the dealer wins.
After consulting the cards, the player shows his cards to the dealer in order to compare the results. The dealer’s fifth card is compared to the player’s fifth card and the same goes for weak hands. Three hypotheses are then possible:
Many players love Pai Gow Poker for the strategy skills it requires. Rather than relying on mere luck, you are the master of your own destiny here!
Pai Gow players are generally people who like to be in control and aren’t overly drawn to gambling. Pai Gow is a multi-hand game, so it is entertaining and keeps the player active from start to finish.
While Pai Gow Poker is not as demanding as regular poker, it is always better to have a good strategy to maximize your chances of winning. Here we are going to reveal to you a particularly effective strategy in Pai Gow Poker.
This strategy is simply to play the way of the house, that is to say, the croupier. In land-based casinos, the croupier has very specific instructions and is obliged to apply them during the game.
If you play like the dealer, then you can ensure maximum winnings. Luckily, playing like the house also applies to Pai Gow Poker online. Note that the frequency of earnings and the remuneration in the proper sense of the term may vary slightly depending on the establishments you attend.
If playing the casino-style is not a foolproof strategy and does not guarantee 100% winnings, this method has still proven its worth. We encourage you to use it in real conditions at Pai Gow Poker.
Below is a complete table that summarizes all of the actions you need to perform depending on the draw, the state of your hands, and your future possibilities.
| (Hands) | Play your hands at Pai Gow Poker |
|---|---|
| Hand High | Place your strongest card in the main hand. Place the other two strongest cards in the secondary hand. |
| A pair | Place the pair in the main hand. Place the other two strongest cards in the secondary hand. |
| Two pairs | In the case of a pair of aces, constantly split your pair. In the case of Pair of figures, 6 or more, also separate. If you have two Pairs of 6 or below, do not split. If you have any other Double Pair, split, unless Ace. |
| Three Pairs | Always place the strongest pair in the off-hand. |
| Three of a kind | Place three of three in the main hand, unless three aces. In case of a strong set, split to play a pair in the secondary hand. |
| Fifth | Play the Straight in your main hand. In the case of a six-card Straight, place your highest card in the secondary hand. In the case of a Straight with a Pair, insert the Pair into the off-hand. |
| Color | Play Color in your main hand. In case of a six-card flush, place your highest card in the secondary hand. In the case of Color with a Pair, insert the Pair into the off-hand. |
| Full | Split, unless you have a Pair of 2s or a King-Ace. If so, play those cards in your secondary hand. |
| Square | If there is a square of 2 to 6, play it in the main hand. In the case of a Square of 7 to 10, split unless Pair, Face or Ace can be played. In the case of a Jack to King Square, separate unless a Pair of 10 or a stronger Pair. In the case of a Carré d’As, split unless a pair of 7 or a stronger pair. |
| Straight Flush | Place the Straight Flush in your main hand. If two Pair of 10’s or Pair of Aces, split to play them in the secondary hand. If Double Pair and Ace, place Double Pair in the main hand, Ace in the other. |
| Royal Flush | Play it in the main hand. If Flush Royale with a Pair, place the Pair in the off-hand. If Flush Royale with Double Pair, play the Double Pair rule. |
| Five Aces | Separate unless Pair of King. If so, place it in the secondary hand. |
Not everyone trusts the house way. However, this is how the computer plays in online casinos. By studying this table, you will be able to predict its future movements.
While it proves to be difficult to make a real profit in the casino from this strategy, you can still make your odds neutralize each other, which means that you will put the house advantage in your pocket. As we have explained, this method is not 100% reliable, but in many cases, it will increase your odds of winning significantly.
Pai Gow is somewhat different from other poker games. The first thing to know is that you cannot change your starting hand. Indeed, you must keep the cards that the dealer has dealt with you. Unlike other poker games, therefore, you have to rely on this rule.
Indeed, in most games, you are used to bluffing or changing cards by pure strategy. This is almost impossible in Pai Gow although specific combinations exist. Depending on the casino, you should also know that the game has some variations that should be taken into account.
The dealer begins by dividing the deck of cards into seven piles. Cards from these piles will be dealt with you as the dice are rolled. If after rolling the dice your number falls, the dealer will give you the first stack of cards.
There is, however, one hand that must be set aside in Pai Gow, the Dragon’s Hand. You may have more than one dragon depending on the number of players seated around the table.
In some casinos, however, you can play the dragon hand like any other hand. The dragon allows you at this time to have the upper hand over the bank. If you have two dragons, then you are two steps ahead of the banker, the first advantage being that you have the choice of whether or not to stay in the game.
Another characteristic that varies from casino to casino is the banker. As in baccarat, the banker draws a commission of 5% on all the winnings of the players. Therefore, whenever you are the dealer, you will have a significant influence on the game.
If you play as a croupier, you take advantage of the house edge: you can win more hands and therefore more money than others. Know that the croupier turns every time, each player will take on this role during a game
But to be the banker, you must first meet certain conditions. You must play first and have enough money to cover the sum of the bets played on the table. In other words, you need to be able to pay player winnings with your own money.
But there is another possibility if luck is on your side. Some casinos encourage the participation of a second banker, although these are few. If you are a secondary banker, the casino will pay the player winnings itself and prevent you from losing all of your money.
You should know that some online casinos organize tournaments dedicated to Pai Gow Poker. You have the opportunity to confront other players registered on the site! These tournaments can take two distinct forms.
The first format consists of earning points for each game in order to climb to the top of the general classification. As for the second formula, it takes the form of a picture similar to a sports competition with, as a highlight, the grand final. In both cases, the winners will be rewarded with exclusive gifts and bonuses.
However, we recommend tournaments to players who are familiar with Pai Gow Poker. If this is not your case, it is better to practice in the space reserved for free games. You can also play for real money while taking advantage of a bonus offered by your online casino.
Finally, we are going to give you here some advice necessary for the good practice of Pai Gow Poker on online casinos. This game is accessible to the greatest number but still has several subtleties …
You can’t really talk about strategy or tactics in Pai Gow. In general, according to statistics, you have a 46% chance of winning this game under any circumstances. In this game, you fight against the one who has the most power, that is to say, the banker, the players go after.
To shine in this game, you must first and foremost focus on your hand. This is the best strategy. Don’t bet huge sums if you feel your hand isn’t strong enough. Look closely at your cards. This is the only way to be successful in this game.
Most casinos take a percentage of players’ winnings. This percentage is 5%: if the player bets 100 euros and wins, the casino will therefore give him 195 euros instead of 200 at the end of the game.
The second way the casino can make money on Pai Gow games is the rule of letting the dealer win in the event that there is a tie on two pairs.
It is unusual for there to be a draw on strong five-card hands, but not on weak hands that consist of only two cards. Sometimes the player and the dealer can both come across an ace and a king for example. Therefore, casinos always keep a small percentage of players’ winnings, although it is very low.
The first thing you need to do after you have received your cards is to build your five-card hand. This hand is the most important thing, without it, you cannot continue playing. If you have a pair, but nothing better than that, this five-card hand is your only hope of getting away with it.
Imagine you have the following cards: Ace, King, King, ten, seven, eight, two.
You have seven cards in your possession. The only valid combination you can produce is a pair of Kings. This means that you at least have the chance to win the invisible hand. You will win absolutely nothing with the visible hand.
In the example above, you can do this in two ways. You fold because you know you can’t win either hand. The invisible hand is a pair of Kings, which is the second strongest pair in the game.
If the dealer has a pair of Aces, you’re gone. But the chances of this being the case remain very low. It is therefore up to you to make the decision to follow.
In 42% of cases, it is a pair that you receive. It is therefore rare to obtain more powerful combinations. The worst would be to have nothing at all for a significant period of time. It is, therefore, better to play your pair when you have the opportunity.
Remember that Pai Gow is a game of poker. Therefore, you need to know which are the most interesting combinations.
We invite you to read the following articles:
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