Pai Gow Poker

IluvVegas · #1 01-02-2009, 08:25 PM

To all intents and purposes, it is believed that Pai Gow Poker is a combination of American Poker and Chines Dominoes. The game originated in the late 1800s when the Chinese were helping to build the US railroads.

The Pai Gow table is similar to the Blackjack table, and theres lots of interaction at the table, it almost seems as if all players go into an "us versus them" (the dealers) mode.

The house advantage in Pai Gow Poker is usually around 2.3 percent.

The object of Pai Gow Poker is to beat the dealer in two poker hands that you create from the seven cards that you are dealt. The game is played with one standard deck of fifty-two cards, plus one joker. The joker is usually used as an ace or any other card that is needed to complete a straight or a flush.

The joker cannot be used as a "wild card" in any other way. I will have more on how to play Pai Gow Poker in the near future.

vegasnut · #2 01-02-2009, 08:43 PM

I have watched people play Pai Gow. but wanted to learn more.

YouTube - Poker Games : How to Play Pai Gow Poker

seems like you can break even most times, might be something worth trying.

dominique · #3 01-03-2009, 02:14 PM

These are the possible outcomes of Pai Gow Poker:

Player wins both 28.61%

Tie 41.48%

Banker wins both 29.91%

VegasLuvsMe · #4 01-06-2009, 02:08 PM

Pai Gow is fun to play when you get the hang of it. I haven't played for real money in Vegas because the buy-ins could get costly if you're not on top of the game.

You could play the Two pair in your main hand if the two pair are low (like 33, 22) and break even, or as the video shows, two higher pair played in both hands could give you a double win.

I'm not sure how it is in real card play, but when I played online in a game room I would break even most of the time. It just depends on what cards are delt.

As dominique points out with the odds in Pai Gow, you will most likely tie or push in the game.
But it is really nice when you get the strait or flush draw for the extra cash, if you also have two high cards or a pair to back it up for a two hand win.