Although Pai Gow poker is similar to the traditional game of poker, it differs in many ways. Pai Gow poker has no raising or bluffing, making a winning strategy very different. In Pai Gow poker you need to set your five-card hand so that it’s stronger than your two-card hand. You can do this manually or as the dealer or online casino software to set your hand for you.
If you have any doubt about what you’re doing there’s no fault in asking the dealer to do it for you. When you decide to set your hand yourself make sure you have a two-card hand that’s as strong as possible. If dealt a full house, you’re better off breaking it up and putting a pair in the two card hand. You may also have the option in Pai Gow poker to bank, which means to play against other players, booking all bets.
This is a great thing to do and you should if you have the option. Bring enough money so that you aren’t left unable when the opportunity presents itself. Banking is a good thing to do because the banker wins the copy hand, leading to more wins overall. Always try to be the dealer when playing Pai Gow poker because you have much better odds.
Also, try to play with as few players as possible to allow you to deal more often. Absolutely the best way to play Pai Gow is the house way. This means that you play your hands as the dealer would play them. Below the house way is described with a detailed strategy to use with each hand for the best Pai Gow game. No pair: Play your highest card in the five-card hand and put the next two highest cards in the two-card hand.
One pair: Play the pair in the five-card hand. Put the next two highest cards in the two-card hand. With an ace and any other pair, split. With a face card pair and pair’s that are 6′s or higher, split.
Two pair: Never split two pairs of 6′s or below. Any other two pairs, split unless your hand contains an ace. If you have an ace, play the ace in the two-card hand.
Three pairs: Play the highest pair in the two-card hand.
Three of a kind: Play your three of a kind in your five-card hand unless you have aces, then break them up. If you have two three of a kinds, play the lowest in your five-card hand and split the highest so you have a pair in the two-card hand.
Straight: Play a straight as a five-card hand. A six-card straight should be played with the highest card in the two-card hand. If you have a pair in your hand play the pair in the two-card hand. Use the two-pair rule if you have two pairs.
Flush: Play as a five-card hand. If you have a six-card flush play the highest card in the two-card hand. If you have a pair play it in the two-card hand. If you have two pairs, use the two-pair rule.
Straight and a flush: If there’s no pair, play with the combo that gives you the highest two-card hand.
Full house: Split a full house unless you have a pair of twos. With a pair of twos, or if you have an ace and a king, play it in the two-card hand.
Four of a kind: Play a four of a kind according to the rank. If it’s a 2 through a 6, play in the five-card hand. If you have a 7 through a 10, split unless you have a pair or an ace, then play in the two-card hand. Jack through King should be split unless you also have a pair of 10′s or higher. Aces should be split unless a pair of 7′s or higher can be played in your two-card hand.
Straight flush: Play a straight flush in your five-card hand. Split it if your hand has two pairs of 10′s or higher or a pair of aces. If you have two pairs and an ace, play the two pair in the five-card hand and the ace in the two-card hand. Play a flush or a straight instead if a picture card or higher can be played in the two-card hand.
Royal flush: Play this in the five-card hand. If you have a royal flush with a pair, play the pair in your two card hand. If you have two pair, use the two pair rule. Split your royal flush if you can play an ace, king or pair in the two-card hand while still keeping a flush or a straight in the five-card hand.
Five Aces: Split this unless you can play a pair of kings in your two-card hand.
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