Reasons To Play Pai Gow Poker

Poker

Reasons To Play Pai Gow Poker

Poker

3D rendering of two ace playing cards featuring hearts and clubs.

Reasons To Play Pai Gow Poker

Poker

3D rendering of two ace playing cards featuring hearts and clubs.

Learning how to play poker is something that can be quite challenging. Most newcomers to the game opt for one of the more common variations, such as Texas Hold’em or Omaha. Not many players mention or even acknowledge Pai Gow Poker, which is a shame because it is arguably one of the most underrated poker variations out there. 

Read on to take an in-depth look at Pai Gow Poker and why you should give it a shot, as well as discover the history of the game and how it’s played.

The History of Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker, also known as double-hand poker, is a variation of the Chinese domino game that uses playing cards instead of dominoes. It was created in 1985 in the U.S. by the owner of the Bell Card Club, Sam Torosian, as a way of bringing in new customers to compete with start-up card clubs that were being built around Los Angeles. 

After speaking to many players about new concepts that could be introduced to his card club, one of Torosian’s Filipino regulars explained the rules of “Pusoy,” a popular card game in China. Pusoy is a game that requires four players, and the goal is to rearrange their hands into three specific poker hands. Thirteen cards are randomly dealt to each player, and by the end of the round, each player should have two five-card hands and a three-card hand.

Torosian quickly realized that having a four-way game wouldn’t work, so he modified the concept by creating a game that used seven cards and two poker hands. This consisted of a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. By combining these features with elements of Pusoy, the new game of Pai Gow Poker was created. 

How To Play Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker starts with an ante bet, and unlike most land-based and online poker variants, this game is played against the dealer. Each player is dealt seven cards from a 53-card deck (a standard 52-card deck with a joker,) and with these cards in hand, you’ll have a simple task of trying to outrank the dealer’s five-card hand with your own. The remaining cards will form your two-card low hand, but the catch is that your five-card hand must outrank your two-card hand. 

For instance, if you were dealt a hand of ace-ace-king-king-9-7-2, you could form the best possible two-pair by putting ace-ace-king-king-2 as your high hand, leaving 9-7 as your low hand. However, this low hand is unlikely to beat other low hands. So, a better option would be to have a high hand of ace-ace-9-7-2 and a low hand of king-king. This approach is much more balanced, and you’ll have a better chance of beating both hands of the dealer.

If the dealer showed a high hand of queen-queen-jack-5-4 and a low hand of 6-6, then you’ll have beaten both hands. However, if the dealer throws down a high hand of queen-queen-jack-jack-5 and a low hand of 6-6, you would “push” or “chop” with the dealer, meaning the wager ends in a draw. 

How Pai Gow Poker is Different from Traditional Poker

This exciting version of poker has a few differences from the traditional variant. For example, the majority of poker online games do not make use of the jokers. In Pai Gow Poker, however, the deck includes a joker, which is referred to as the “bug,” and can be used as an ace, to complete a flush, or to complete a straight. The bug can also be used to complete a straight flush or a Royal flush. 

Another twist of Pai Gow Poker is the reversed straights. While the classic poker straight runs from 10 to ace, the second strongest straight runs from ace through five. Another interesting difference of Pai Gow is that the dealer takes on a new moniker and is referred to as the “banker.” 

Decoding Hand Rankings in Pai Gow Poker Games

Understanding the hand rankings is key. Pai Gow Poker rules dictate that, while the five-card hand follows standard poker rankings, the two-card hand has just two possibilities: a pair or no pair, with a no-pair hand being treated as a high-card with a kicker hand. 

In poker, a “kicker” is an additional card used to break ties when players have hands of the same rank. So, in the context of Pai Gow Poker, if your two-card hand doesn’t have a pair, it’s evaluated as a high card (the highest single card in your hand) along with the additional card (kicker) to determine its value. This concept helps determine the strength of your two-card hand when you don’t have a pair.

Strategically, understanding when to fold a good poker hand in Pai Gow Poker is crucial. If you have a hand that might seem strong on its own but doesn’t have a good chance of beating both the dealer’s high and low hands, folding could be a wise decision to minimize your losses for that round. Remember, in Pai Gow Poker, balancing the strength of both your high and low hands is essential for success.

There are four potential outcomes in Pai Gow Poker.

Winning Both Hands

If your high hand and low hand outrank the banker’s corresponding hands, you win.

One Hand Win, One Hand Loss

When you win with one hand but lose with the other, the result is a push, and no one wins.

Both Banker Hands Win

If both of the banker’s hands trump your hands, you’re on the losing end.

Copy Hand

A “copy” happens if one of your hands matches the rank of the banker’s hand; this leads to a loss.

Why Should You Play Pai Gow Poker?

There are many reasons why you should give Pai Gow Poker a shot; not only is it one of the best live and online poker variations, but it’s easier for beginners to get started if they understand how poker hands work when compared to common variations such as Omaha or Texas Hold’em. Below are five great reasons to play Pai Gow Poker. 

Close-up of various stacks of poker chips on a red felt table.

It’s More Relaxed

If you’re the type of player who’s looking to play poker online but doesn’t want to compete in online poker tournaments or get caught in an intense high-stakes game, then Pai Gow Poker is perfect for you. The slow nature of the game means there’s less pressure on players when sitting out a hand. You can take as much time as you need to arrange your hand and you can ask other players for advice if you’re unsure. The game’s leisurely pace allows you to kick back and enjoy your time at the table.

There’s a Sense of Camaraderie

Unlike playing high-stakes live or online poker tournaments based on Omaha or Texas Hold’em, Pai Gow Poker has you going up against the dealer. It’s a genuinely pleasant, social atmosphere, and it’s also a great game to play with your friends or to meet new people because you’re not pitched against each other. 

An Extended Bankroll

Pai Gow Poker has a low house edge of 2.5%, with odds of +150 that all hands will result in a “push” (or a tie.) If 30 hands are dealt in the span of an hour, 18 of them will end up winning or losing, with the rest being ties (that’s odds of -250.) If you’re betting $25 a hand, your expected loss rate will be $11.25 per hour, which isn’t bad. 

It’s a Good Game for Poker Beginners

If you’re eager to play online poker tournaments with friends, or you’d like to learn how to play poker for the purpose of competing in more serious games, Pai Gow Poker is a great place to start. You’ll learn how to understand poker hands, which is an important fundamental of the game, and if you’re confident, you can also participate in Pai Gow Poker live. 

It’s Underrated

Many seasoned poker players overlook Pai Gow Poker because of how slow it is and how many of the games end in a tie. But this is a variant that can prolong your game time, and it’s a great way to unwind if you’re playing online, either on your own or with friends. There’s no doubt that this is one of the best poker variations around. But of course, you’ll have to play a few rounds for you to decide whether you agree.

Flex Your Pai Gow Poker Skills With Borgata Online

Whether you want to play live poker online or dabble in a few games of Pai Gow Poker, Borgata Online has you covered with a great selection of poker titles. Not only is this one of the best online poker sites around, but when you register with Borgata Online, you’ll unlock access to world-class sports betting, live casino games, jackpot slots and much more.