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If you’re seeking a game that offers an extended playtime with relatively low risk, Pai Gow Poker is an excellent choice. Often referred to as a “dribbler,” it allows players to enjoy a relaxed pace at the table. While the basic rules are straightforward, mastering the strategy for Pai Gow Poker can be challenging, making it an engaging option for both beginners and seasoned players.
Rules of Pai Gow Poker
Deck Composition: The game is played with a 53-card deck comprising the standard 52 cards and one joker.
The Joker’s Role: The joker is semi-wild and can be used as an ace or to complete straights, flushes, straight flushes, or royal flushes.
Initial Deal: Both the player and the dealer are dealt seven cards each after placing their bets.
Special Straight Rule: The A-2-3-4-5 straight (the “wheel”) is occasionally ranked as the second-highest straight, depending on house rules.
Hand Splitting: Players divide their seven cards into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand.
Hand Rankings: The five-card hand follows standard poker rankings. The two-card hand is limited to pairs or individual high cards.
Dealer Setup: After the player sets their hands, the dealer arranges their cards according to predetermined “house way” rules.
Comparing Hands: The player’s high and low hands are compared to the dealer’s.
Winning both hands results in an even-money payout minus a 5% commission.
It’s a push if you win one and lose the other.
Losing or tying both hands results in a loss.
Wizard’s Strategy
While many moves in Pai Gow Poker are intuitive, complex scenarios may arise. In such cases, relying on the dealer’s “house way” is a safe approach. For online players, a “house way” button often simplifies decision-making. Below is a simplified version of the Wizard’s Strategy:
No Straight or Flush Possible
Four of a Kind:
Split for lower-value cards; keep higher sets together unless better cards strengthen the low hand.
Three of a Kind:
Split Aces or pair them with a high card; otherwise, keep the trio together.
Two Pair:
Use point values to decide whether to split pairs or keep them together (e.g., Aces are worth 14 points, Kings 13, etc.).
Single Pair or High Cards:
Use the strongest cards to form the low hand.
Straight or Flush Possible
Maintain the straight or flush in the high hand while ensuring the low hand is as strong as possible. Split only if it significantly strengthens the overall hand.
House Edge
- House Way: 2.72%
- Wizard Strategy: 2.67%
- Optimal Strategy: 2.51%
When playing in physical casinos, players can act as the “banker,” gaining a significant advantage due to ties favoring the banker. This lowers the house edge by approximately 2.5%.
Side Bets
Pai Gow Poker offers numerous side bets, but they typically carry high house edges. For example:
Tiger 9 Bet: Pays 30:1 with a house edge of 22.48%.
Recommendation: Avoid side bets as they significantly increase the house advantage.
Variants of Pai Gow Poker
Several commission-free variants of Pai Gow Poker exist. While they remove the traditional 5% commission, they introduce new rules that favor the house:
EZ Pai Gow:
- Dealer’s queen-high pushes all bets.
- House edge: 2.47%.
Commission-Free Pai Gow:
- Dealer’s 9-high in the low hand triggers a push.
- House edge: 2.51%.
Face Up Pai Gow:
- Dealer’s cards are dealt face-up.
- Ace-high dealer hands are automatic pushes.
- House edge: 1.81%.
Conclusion
Pai Gow Poker blends strategic decision-making with leisurely gameplay, making it a favorite for those who value time at the table. While the rules are straightforward, the strategic depth and various game variants keep it fresh and exciting for enthusiasts.
