How to play Pai Gow Poker, also known as Pai Gow, is an interesting variation of the standard Pai gow, where each player is dealt two low cards, one face up and one face down, and chooses one to hold and one to remove. Each player can also have three cards, face up, in the same pile, but must choose a card from that pile without picking it. They must then place that card face up on top of their table, so that the cards are all at the same level. They are now ready to begin playing.
When these players are ready – they all fold, and the dealer then deals them another round of poker. The winning players usually walk away with more chips than they started with, since the second half of the game requires more strategy than the first half. If there is still a tie, the ties are broken by paying out more chips to one of the tied players, or paying out to all of the players simultaneously, whichever is more manageable. These tiebreakers also help to settle disputes over who got the highest total payouts, because ties are subject to the daily maximum of ten.
There are eleven types of poker chips – that you can get in various versions of how to play pai gow poker, and there are twenty-one cards in all. These cards are styled so that they have a face value, although the numbers on the back of the card do not change. You can get the joker, which appears blank on most versions; the “high card,” which have a suit and a number that change automatically based on the current situation of the hand; the “low card,” which do not change; the “turn key” card, which you must hold on to until your opponent leaves the table; and the “call” card, which you must place on the table immediately upon seeing it. Most versions also include two additional cards: the straight and the flush.
All of the above cards have their own special qualities – The joker, for example, offers a guaranteed raise if the player has an adequate flush and will also automatically convert into a straight after the flop if it is strong. A high card is also useful for this purpose, as it can act as protection against raises and re-raise from the banker, protecting the money that is already in play. If the banker has no weak cards, then the combination of having a strong hand and a couple of raises is usually not enough to take the pot, and therefore a good combination of call and put may give you a winning edge.
To make the best use of your pai gow poker payouts – you should always be aware of the big hand that may emerge. A lot of players get caught out by the temptation to reach for a big hand straight away without considering their position. If a big hand does arise, it is often advisable to wait a few turns, especially if you are on a tight bankroll and facing a slow start. Although you can take the big hand straight away if it comes, it is often better to hold on for a chance at a huge raise later in the game. Another good reason for waiting is because the big hand can sometimes be bluffed if the opponent knows what you are holding.
A joker, however, is the king of the show – If you have an exceptional flush and a good hand, the joker can be dealt with immediately, leaving you with a pair, a straight or a flush. However, this is when players tend to make mistakes, often being surprised by a joker which they expected to be dealt with last.
As soon as it is dealt, it becomes crucial to know whether the other players can face the joker. If they can, then the bet usually becomes a flush or better.