How to Play Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a great table game option for poker fans. It combines features of Texas hold'em and five-card draw in a table game format. In Pai Gow Poker, players play against the House (or a predetermined banker) rather than one another.
Banking
A Pai Gow Poker hand starts with each player in turn given the option to be the banker. The banker plays against all the other players and covers all bets. This is an advantageous position to be in and players should take the banker option whenever possible.
Play of the Hand
After placing a bet, players then organize their seven cards into a five-card and two-card poker hand. The five-card hand must be stronger than the two-card hand, or the hand is fouled. Once all players have set their hands, the dealer turns the cards over.
If both of the player's hands beat both of the dealer's (or banker's) hands, the player wins even money on his bet, but owes the House a five percent commission. If both of the dealer/banker hands win, the player loses his bet. If it is a split, no money changes hands. The dealer/banker wins all copies (exact same hand).
Advantages of Banking
As the banker, your five percent commission is charged after all the money has been paid out or collected, essentially allowing you to get multiple hands for your five percent commission, rather than just one. In addition, you have the advantage of winning copies.
Other Pai Gow Poker Rules
In live Pai Gow poker, a dice cup, which a player will shake and then slam on the table, is used. This is merely to determine the order of play, and has no other bearing on the hand.
In Pai Gow poker, A2345 is generally an ace high straight, and beats any other straight besides AKQJT. Pai Gow poker uses a 53-card deck. The extra card is a joker, which can substitute for an ace or complete a straight or flush.
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