Rules of Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow in online casinos

Differences between Pai Gow and poker

Although it shares a lot with the root of poker, it is necessary for you to know that its origins are a little different. Previously they were played with domino-like pieces. Over time, the game began to become popular and began to be played with cards. Use combinations similar to the poker hands .

• The Pai Gow online offers you the opportunity to play against the dealer. Poker, you will know that you have to face the players.
• In this online game the player has to receive 7 cards that are divided into 2 hands. The goal is to achieve good combinations of cards in those hands. These are known as the strong hand and the weak hand. On the contrary, in poker there is usually only one hand.
• The Ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5 combination is the second strongest in the Pai Gow. In traditional poker it is K, Q, J, 10, 9.
• In Pai Gow poker, a single joker or wild card is used.

How to play Pai Gow online

First of all, you need to start the game. To do this, you have to look for the button that says "Press now", so that the game interface is played. Obviously, some casinos may have differences in this aspect. You can find other buttons whose meaning is similar, such as ”Play“, ”Play Now", etc.

Once the Pai Gow online interface has loaded, you must place the bet on the table. Precisely, at the bottom of the screen, the betting limits will appear, shown on the casino chips. These limits can range from $1 to $100 or more depending on the casino. Although this information can be seen much better in one of the corners of the screen.

Then you will have to place your bet, and it is as simple as pressing the chosen chip, and clicking on the “Bet” or “Bet” button.

Start of the game

Next, you need to wait for the Pai Gow online cards to be dealt. To do this, you need to click on the “Deal” button. In this case, 7 cards will be dealt, both for the players and for the dealer.

Both will have to form their hands. It does not matter if there is a vacant position, the dealer will have to deal cards to that place. Although in the latter case, the dealer will have to remove the cards after the players have their seven cards in hand.

An interesting rule is that you have to arrange the cards in 2 different hands. A strong hand or back hand, and a weak hand or front hand. The strong hand should consist of 5 cards, while the weak hand should consist of 2. Consider that, according to the rules, the strong hand should always be arranged with a numerical value higher than the weak hand.

To play Pai Gow online, the first hand or strong hand, will have the same values as in poker hands. While the weak hand, it should be composed of a pair or simply a low-value hand. In this case, the aces in pairs are greater than the kings in pairs. In case the player and the dealer had a pair, the one with the highest value would win.

Game resolution

To finish the game, the hands are compared to the dealer's. In this case, the following must be observed:

• If your 2 hands are better compared to the dealer's, you win the bet.
• If your 2 hands are less, you lose the bet.
• When one of your hands is better than the dealer's, there is a tie and the bet is returned.
• When the player's hand is compared to the dealer's and has the same value, the banker wins.

Hands on Pai Gow plays

Although the rules of Pai Gow poker are simple, it can be a bit complicated to know how to divide the 7 cards. Below, we offer you a guide to understand how to distribute them in your hands and have a better chance of winning:

No partners

For this case of Pai Gow, it is best to distribute them by making the five-card hand stronger. In this one, the highest card of the seven is placed, and in the one of two the ones that follow it.

One, two and three couples

In the case of a pair in Pai Gow poker, it is best to place it on the hand of five. At the same time, place the two highest cards that are not paired on the deuce.

For the case of two pairs in Pai Gow poker, they can be used differently depending on the value of both pairs. The ideal is to keep them together in the five-card hand if both are low numbers (6 or lower). After this, you can place your two highest unpaired cards in your hand of two. With the higher numbers, distribute one in each hand, especially if one is a pair of Aces.

In the case of three pairs for Pai Gow poker, the strongest is placed in the hand of two. At the same time, the other two pairs that would be the weakest, go on the five-card.

One or two threesomes

For a trio, it is usually kept in the five-card hand, except if it is one of Aces. In this case of the Pai Gow, two are placed in the five and one in the two.

For two threesomes in Pai Gow poker, you can place two cards of the highest in the hand of two. In turn, the lower one should be kept together in the other, that is, the five.

Straight, flush or straight flush

In Pai Gow, it is common to hold the straight, flush or straight flush in the hand of five. If you have two pairs, it is more convenient to play both hands as if you only have the pairs.

Full

Normally, the trio is separated from the couple, but sometimes the strategy can vary if the pair is small. For this case of Pai Gow poker it is more convenient to play the full house in the hand of 5.

Poker

If you have a poker lower than 6 in the Pai Gow, it is advisable to keep it in the five hand. If it is higher than 10, it is always usually separated in both hands, that is, as two pairs.

If it is between 7 and 10, it is usually separated into two pairs, except if you have an Ace. In Pai Gow, Poker is held in the hand of five and this Ace in the hand of two.

Possible winning combinations

In Pai Gow, the list of winning combinations is almost the same as in Poker. However, there is a small difference in the PaiGow, where the second strongest ladder of all is As-2-3-4-5 . This combination is only inferior to the Poker royal flush, Ace-K-Q-J-10, being the highest value in the game.

Below we show you the winning hands of Pai Gow poker from the highest to the lowest:

Royal Flush (Ace-K-Q-J-10)

Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10, in consecutive order and of the same suit as in classic Poker. This hand in the Pai Gow is followed in value by the combination of Ace-2-3-4-5 as explained above.

Straight flush

In this case of Pai Gow poker, there are 5 cards of the same color and consecutive with each other; for example: 5-6-7-8-9.

Poker

In this Pai Gow combination, you must have 4 cards of the same value; for example: the 4 Queens.

Full House or Full

In this Pai Gow situation, just like in poker, you have to have a pair and a threesome. Of course, both are of different values; for example: trio of 5 and couple of 9.

Color

In this combination of the game, you must have 5 cards that are of different values. The only mandatory thing is that they must be of the same suit; for example: 2-5-6-9-J of hearts.

Stairs

In the Pai Gow poker straight, there are 5 consecutive cards between them and of different suits; for example: 4-5-6-7-8.

Threesome

In this Pai Gow poker combination, there are 3 cards of the same value; for example: 3 Kings.

Double couple

In this Pai Gow poker scenario, you should have 2 pairs instead of just one. Each of 2 cards that are of the same value; for example: a pair of 5 with another of 7.

Couple

In this case of Pai Gow poker, it is 2 cards of the same value; for example: a pair of Jacks.

High card

The high card of Pai Gow poker is presented when none of the above combinations can be formed. In this situation, you only depend on the highest card you have in your hand.

Types of bets

The way in which you bet on Pai Gow tiles or Poker is not difficult to understand. Because of this, below we will quickly tell you a little about this part of the game:

• The maximum or minimum amount you can bet on Pai Gow poker varies depending on the casino. The usual thing is that it is always in a range between 1 euro up to 100 euros per hand.
• Players tend to bet 1 euro per hand, this being the most common in PaiGow. This is because the games of Pai Gow tiles or Poker version are usually long. In turn, each hand is short-lived, about a minute maximum in both versions. The “all or nothing” strategy is also not widely used, as perhaps it can be noticed more in Poker.
• In Pai Gow, you only win the bet if you win both hands, both the strong and the weak. In the case of a tie (winning one and losing the other), your money will be refunded.
• Keep in mind that in Pai Gow tiles or Poker the house has an advantage of 1.46% of your bet. This means that every time you win a hand, the casino will keep 1.46% of your winnings.

How do you beat the PaiGow?

Many of the considerations that you should take into account in the PaiGow are similar to those of Poker. However, due to the differences between the two games, in the Pai Gow you should consider some details:

• As PaiGow's games are very slow to develop, you must have patience to play them. Most of the bets are usually small and it is usual that you win one hand, but not the next. In the Pai Gow you can get prizes for your loyalty in the game, that is, that you have played many hands.
• In online casinos you have the facility of being able to ask the house for help while you learn to play PaiGow. During your first Pai Gow games, you can get advice and improve your strategy as you do so.
• In Pai Gow tiles or Poker you must be aware that the house has more advantage than you. To win, both hands must be higher than the dealer's; if only one is, your bet is refunded. It doesn't matter if your weak hand (the one with two cards) is the lower one, the dealer doesn't lose.
• The key to being victorious in the PaiGow is to learn the list of combinations from highest to lowest. Also, distribute your cards conveniently in the Pai Gow as we explained before to have a better chance of winning.

Tips to win the Pai Gow online

The strategies in this game are a bit complex for new players. You need to learn how to divide the hands in such a way that in the end they will result in a high value for you. There are quite a few strategies used in the virtual world. For this reason, we suggest you follow the following tips to boost your luck:

• Try the free game to familiarize yourself with the rules and values of the cards without the pressure of betting money.
• Whenever you have a pair in the received hands, it is a good idea to place it in the back hand. As long as you comply with having the highest value in the hand of 5 cards. In turn you place two high cards in the front hand.
• If you are lucky enough to find two different pairs, it is advisable to divide them between both hands. In the 5-card hand you must place the best, and the lowest, in the 2-card hand. Doing so ensures that you distribute the cards in both hands. However, try not to split the two pairs if you have a pair of 7's without Aces. For example, pair of J's, better and 6's; or a pair of A's mixed with any other.

More tips for the Pai Gow

• Each time you receive a wild, use it to complete a straight or form a pair. So, do not minimize the presence of this letter.
• In case of receiving a trio, you must place it in the hand of five cards. If you are lucky enough to get 3 aces, it is better to deal them in a pair in the two-card hand. The remaining deal it in the hand of 5 cards.
• If two trios appear, it is advisable to place the lowest trio in the five-card hand. Dealing the high trio to place a pair in the weak hand and the remaining in the other hand.
• If you have no pairs, place the highest card in the 5-card hand, and two high cards in the 2-card hand. In this way, you will be able to beat the dealer with greater chances in both hands.

You should always think about employing a correct strategy in order to win. The idea is to deal the cards in such a way that you can have both hands covered.

Play for free or for real money

If you are interested in participating in the free Pai Gow, you can't miss the free demonstrations.

The free demonstrations are quite useful to learn how to play. Take advantage of the demos to learn more about the game, the hands on each play and master the rules of this. You can also learn how to organize the cards.

With the bonuses, you can play Pai Gow for free, with extra money after a first deposit, or without it. For example, you can find bonuses of up to $1,000 or more after your first deposit. Or for example 30$ in free no deposit bonuses casinos New Zealand .

Finally, you can take advantage of promotions and exclusive casino bonuses once you are already registered and have played. For example, if you lose some of your money, the casino may refund you a fraction. Check out our table of the best casinos in New Zealand and start playing Pai Gow today.

Unfortunately, following the new regulation in New Zealand on Gambling in 2021, these last two options are prohibited. On the other hand, if you want to try totally new and different experiences to Pai Gow, we can recommend playing the online bingo , for example.

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