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Pai Gow Poker - part 2

Odds & News | Conrad Kn ( Thu 2nd, July 2009 )

Pai Gow, the history on an ancient complicated Chinese gambling game. Also Pai Gow tips and more...

The History of Pai Gow

The original game of Pai Gow is a very complicated Chinese gambling game that was initially played using dominoes with unfamiliar symbols representing military and civilian units, as well as playing dice to determine player order and tile distribution. It is unknown how old the game really is, but it is generally believed to be few hundred years old; similar games were being played as early as the 11^th century during the Sung Dynasty.

Pai Gow reached the Americas around the 1800s, but it wasn’t really trendy in the gambling industry until the 20^th century, during the late 80’s, when games inventor and casino manager Fred Wolf and his business partner Sam Torosian used it as the basis to create the game we know as Pai Gow Poker today.

Becoming wildly popular in the West Coast gambling scene, it moved east and started showing up in Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos during 1987 and 1988 respectively, where it quickly became a sensation. Today, Pai Gow Poker is featured in all major online and brick and mortar casinos around the world, remaining their most popular entry-level gambling game.

Jazz Sports offers Pai Gow Poker in its Land Based Casinos and Online Sportsbook.

Strategic tips when playing Pai Gow

Become familiar with the House Way

As mentioned on Part 1 of this article, the House Way is the method in which the dealer must set his hands in Pai Gow. Although you are not obligated to, it is helpful to learn how it works at your game table.

Five aces:

Place three aces on the back unless you have a pair of kings, then place the pair of kings on the front.

Straight flush:

With only a high card, place the straight flush on the back. If you have one pair, place the pair on the front only if you can keep a straight or flush in the five-card hand. If you have two pair, ignore the straight flush and see the rule for two pair, below.

Four of a kind:

Place a pair on the front and one on the back unless you have a third pair, in which case place the four of a kind there. If the four of a kind is 6s or less, or if the four of a kind is 7s through 10s with an ace singleton, place the four of a kind on the back and the high card on the front.

Full house:

Always place the three of a kind on the back and the pair on the front.

Flush:

See straight flush.

Straight:

See straight flush.

Three of a kind:

Place the three of a kind on the back unless you have three aces, in which case place a pair of aces there instead and put an ace on the front.

Two pair:

Place one pair on the back and one on the front unless neither pair is jacks or higher and you have an ace or joker, in which case place the two pair on the back and the high card on the front.

One pair:

Always place the pair on the back and the two remaining highest cards on the front.

High card:

Always place the highest card on the back and the second and third highest cards on the front.

Although each establishment has its own House Way rules, most of them follow the same basic structure, so learning one will help you understand the others.

Know how to set up your cards

The best way to improve your odds at winning a Pai Gow game is to make sure both your 5 card and 2 card hands are strong. The following is a basic strategy for setting up your back (5 cards) and front (2 cards) hands when starting to learn the game:

No Pair

Place the highest card on the back and the second and third highest on the front

One Pair

Place the Pair on the back and the next two highest cards on the front.

Two Pair

Place One Pair on each hand, the highest on the back.

Two Pair (one of them Aces)

Place the Pair of Aces on the back and the Other Pair on the front.

Three Pair

Place the Second and third highest pair on the back and the Highest Pair on the front.

Three of a Kind

Place the Three of a Kind on the back and the highest remaining card on the front.

But if you get 3 Aces place 2 in the back and 1 Ace in the front instead.

5, 6, or 7 card Straight

Place the lowest possible cards to complete the Straight on the back and the remaining two cards on the front.

Other combinations should be easy for you to see. Remember, losing one hand against the banker will cause you to push, losing both will cause you to lose and the banker wins on ties. Also, make sure the 5 card "back" is always stronger than the 2 card "front", or you will foul and lose automatically.

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