Paigow Rules

Pai Gow is a casino game based on the Chinese Domino game of the same name with a poker twist.

Pai Gow can be played by up to seven players. A deck of 52 playing cards are used and one joker is added to the deck. The joker serves as a wild card and can be used only as an Ace, or to complete a straight flush, flush or straight.

Prior to dealing each player places a bet. The players compete against each other. Play begins with a deal of seven cards to each of the seven players. The dealer does not look at his cards, while the players divide their cards into the two best possible hands, a two card combination and the best five card combination.

Card values are equivalent to poker values with the exception of one straight; A-2-3-4-5 is listed as the second ranked straight flush or flush, falling between A-K-Q-J-10 and K-Q-J-10-9. The highest winning hand is five Aces and beats a straight flush. In the two hand combination any pair is better that any two unmatched cards. There are no other combinations available for the two card hand.

No discussion is allowed at anytime during play. The goal is to create a five card hand that is higher than the two card combination. For example, if the card combination was a pair of aces, there would need to be at least two pair in the five card hand.

When all the players have completed making their combinations, they place their hands face down on the table. The players are no longer allowed to alter their combinations. At this time, the dealer will reveal their seven cards and form the best combinations, much like the players.

Once the dealer has completed making their combinations the player’s reveal their cards. Winning hands are determined by comparing each player’s hand with the dealer’s hand.

If the player has the winning combination of both the five hand and the two hand combination, the dealer pays the amount staked by the player.

If the dealer wins one hand and the player win one hand it is referred to as a push, and no money exchanges hands.

If the dealer wins both hands, the dealer wins the stake.

In the case of a tie, the win is awarded to the dealer. For example, if the dealer wins one hand and ties the second, the win goes to the dealer. If the player wins one hand and ties the other, this is termed a push and no money is transferred.

The manner of dealing and determining who goes first can be rather elaborate. Seven hands of seven cards are dealt, the remaining four cards being discarded, unseen. The dealer rolls then three dice and counting counter-clockwise, starting with himself, counts the number rolled to determine which player gets the first hand dealt. The remaining hands are distributed to the other players in a counter-clockwise direction.

The advantage to the dealer is obvious and in order to be fair to all the players each should get equal time as dealer.

The only strategic choices that have to be made is how to split the hands and how much to bet. The basic strategy is to make the highest possible two card combination that is less than the five card combination. If you have a hard time deciding how to set the combination, you are allowed to ask the dealer and they will inform you on the way the house would set the hands.

A pair will usually win the two card set and two pair will usually win the five card combination, the hardest choice is often when it is appropriate to split two pairs.

Hands are ranked and described as follows:
1. Five Aces or four Aces and a Joker
2. Royal Flush (A,K,Q,J,10 all of the same suit)
3. Straight Flush ( 5 cards in sequential order and the same suit)
4. Four of Kind
5. Full House
6. Flush
7. Straight
8. 3 of a Kind
9. 2 Pair
10. Pair
Sample hands and way to play them:
If you hold: Possible way to set hands:
No flush, no straight, no pairs 5-start with highest card
2-Keep second and third highest card
A pair, no flush 5- Hold the pair
2-Keep the tow highest single cards
Two pair When holding a single ace, it is best to place the ace in the two card hand and keep the pair in the five card set. In all other circumstances it is best to split the pairs as listed:
5- Keep the highest pair
2- Keep the lower pair.
Straight and Two pair It is always best to ignore the straight and keep the two pair.
Three pair 5- Keep the second and third highest pairs.
2- Keep the highest pair.
Five-card Straight 5- Keep the straight
2- Keep the remaining two cards
Flush and Two-Pair It is best to ignore the flush and play as two pair.
Full House 5- Keep the three of a kind
2- Keep the pair

Many sites are offering free downloads and are a great way to learn the game before spending any money. An easy game to learn and to play, Pai Gow is great for the beginner and advanced player a like and $20.00 can go a long way at a $.5.00 table.