Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker Rules

In Pai Gow Poker players are given the option to be the banker, who plays against all the other players in the game. Most online casino articles with strategy tips will advise you to play as the banker as this is advantageous position. Of course, you can find out many more different poker tips reading online poker rules.

According to the official poker rules of this game, the object of Pai Gow Poker is to organize seven cards into a five-card and two-card poker hand. The five-card hand must rank higher (the usual poker hand ranking is used) than the two-card hand, or the hand is disqualified. When all players are done organizing their two hands, the dealer turns the cards over.

If the player wins the high hand as well as the low hand, he wins even money on his bet, but owes the House a five percent commission. If the player loses both hands, the bet is lost. If it is a split, meaning that the player wins one hand and the dealer one hand, no money changes hands. The dealer/banker wins all copies (exact same hand, in either the low hand or the high hand).

These are a few basic terms everyone playing Pai Gow poker should know:

Back Hand: The five card hand that must be stronger than the two card hand so called because it is placed behind the front two card hand on the layout of the Pai Gow poker table.

Copy: Two hands that are the same. For example, if the dealer and player both have AA in the front hand, it is a copy. Copies go to the dealer for determining who wins the overall hand.

The Dragon Hand: An extra hand dealt in some casinos to a vacant seat. Another player may adopt the Dragon hand and play two hands if he wishes.

Front Hand: The two card hand that must be weaker than the five card hand. The best two card hand is a pair of aces.

House Way: The casino’s method for organizing the hands. Players can ask the dealer to organize their hands in the House Way.

Joker: A wild card that can be used as an ace or to complete a straight or a flush (or straight flush). Sometimes called a "bug".

Wheel: an A2345 straight that is considered an ace high straight and beats all straights that do not contain an ace.