Advanced Strategy for Pai Gow Poker

How to Play Pai Gow Poker?

Keeping it simple, Pai Gow Poker is a variant of a traditional Chinese classic game. It uses the standard 52-card deck, plus the joker.

The target is to beat the dealer by creating two hands: a five-card hand as the high hand, and a two-card hand as the low hand. To understand and set the hands properly for winning, it is necessary to have a sound Pai Gow Poker Strategy first.

Below, we have mentioned the key rules you must be aware of:

1. There can be six players and the dealers, and each of the participants receives seven
   cards.
2. Those seven cards have to be further split into two hands:
   1. High/Back Hand: A five-card hand, which must be stronger.
   2. Low/Front Hand: A two-card hand, which has to be weaker than the high hand.
3. The dealer sets the cards, as per the casino rules.
4. To win, players need to beat both the dealer’s corresponding hands.
5. When they win one and lose in the other, it will be a push – a tie.
6. Ties happen more often in Pai Gow Poker because of the nature of the game

Setting Your Hand & How to Win

Setting your hands effectively is crucial for winning in Pai Gow Poker. You’ll need to decide how to split pairs, distribute high cards, and balance the strength between your high hand and low hand. Here’s a breakdown of how to approach hand-setting:

• Split Pairs Strategically:
  • If you have a pair of Aces, consider keeping them together in your five-card hand unless you can create a stronger low hand.
  • For medium pairs (e.g., 7s, 8s, or 9s), assess if splitting them helps balance your two hands.
• Keep High Cards Together: If you receive high-ranking cards like a King and Queen, it often pays to keep them together in your two-card hand, especially if your five-card hand can still hold its strength.
• Straight and Flush Options: If you have the potential for a straight or flush, prioritize these in your five-card hand unless it weakens your two-card hand excessively.
• Two Pair Considerations: With two pairs, split them to create balance unless both pairs are weak (like 2s and 3s). In that case, keep them in the high hand.

To consistently win, you need a sound Pai Gow strategy that considers hand strength and potential dealer setups. Learning when to split or group your cards can be the difference between winning and pushing.

What is the House Way?

The House Way is the specific rules casinos use to set up the dealer’s hands in Pai Gow Poker. This method also guarantees the dealer will not change their play style unpredictably, allowing players to anticipate the dealer’s betting strategy.For example, if the dealer has:

• A Pair and an Ace-King: The House Way typically places the pair in the high hand and the Ace-King in the low hand.
• Two Pairs: Depending on the pair values, the House Way might split or keep them together.

Knowing the Pai Gow Poker House Way allows players to set their hands strategically. Your expectations of how the dealer will set their hands will help you figure out what to do to maximize win with both  ands. Let’s say if you feel like the dealer’s low hand will be weak, you can focus on strengthening your own low hand to gain an advantage.

The Banker’s Edge

The Banker’s Edge is a built-in advantage for the dealer in Pai Gow Poker. This edge primarily comes from the game’s tie rule: when a player’s hand ties with the dealer’s hand, the dealer automatically wins. This rule significantly impacts the player’s odds, giving the house a slight advantage.

Additionally, when a player acts as the banker, they benefit from this edge too. In some casinos, players have the option to take turns acting as the banker. When available, banking strategically can improve your odds.

Here are some key points to consider for your Pai Gow Poker betting strategy:

1. Bank Whenever Possible: Acting as the banker gives you the same edge the dealer typically enjoys.
2. Adjust Bet Sizes: Bet more aggressively when you feel confident in your hand and less when the dealer has an edge.
3. Factor in Ties: Recognize that ties benefit the banker and plan your hand setups accordingly.

With the banker’s edge understood, you can set better betting decisions, such as how and when to bet.

Beating Pai Gow Poker

While luck plays a role, implementing advanced strategies can improve your odds. Here are some practical Pai Gow tips to help you beat the game:

• Learn the House Way: Understand the basic rules of house way in the casino. Knowing this lets you see how the dealer will play and then adjust your hand.
• Bank When You Can: Whenever the opportunity arises, act as the banker. The banker’s advantage can tilt the odds in your favor.
• Balance Your Hands: Avoid putting all your strength in one hand. Ensure your two-card hand is competitive while keeping your five-card hand strong enough to win.
• Split Pairs Thoughtfully: Higher pairs often work better in the five-card hand, while smaller pairs may benefit your two-card hand. Analyze each scenario carefully.
• Manage Your Bankroll: Be disciplined with your bets. Even with the best strategy, losing streaks happen. Stick to a budget and adjust bet sizes based on your confidence.
• Practice Makes Perfect: More gameplay will help you understand how the hand setting actually works. You can also try Pai Gow Poker online for free to improve your hand at the game.
• Observe the Dealer’s Patterns: Watch how the dealer sets their hands. This can give you clues for adjusting your strategy.
• Use the Joker Wisely: Joker can complete straights, flushes, or work as an Ace in Pai Gow Poker. Use it optimally based on your hand strength.

With these strategies in place, you’ll attain great odds of winning and decrease the house’s advantage.

Simple Pai Gow Strategies

If you are starting out with Pai Gow Poker then these few basic strategies should allow you to win easily. Below are a few simple tips which for an effective Pai Gow Poker strategy:

• Always Split Pairs: If you have a pair, consider splitting it unless doing so leaves your five-card hand too weak. This approach balances both hands for a better chance to beat the dealer.
• Prioritize a Strong Five-Card Hand: Since your five-card hand is more important, ensure it is as strong as possible. Don’t weaken it unnecessarily to boost your two-card hand.
• Balance is Key: Make sure your two-card hand is competitive while keeping your five-card hand strong. A balanced approach helps avoid a push.
• Don’t Overthink Small Hands: For low-ranking cards or hands with no obvious combinations, default to placing your two highest cards in the two-card hand.

Three Pair

Having three pairs in Pai Gow Poker presents an interesting challenge. To handle this scenario effectively, a strategic split is crucial. The best approach is to use the highest-ranking pair in your two-card hand. This boosts the strength of your low hand, giving you a better shot at winning it.

For instance, if you have 3 pairs of Kings, 7s, 3s put the Kings in your two card hand. The 5 cards hand consists of the rest pairs of 7s and 3s. It produces a balanced setup, and gives you the best odds of  eating the dealer. In some situations, splitting the pairs may leave both hands weak. If this happens, sticking to the House Way—where the highest pair goes into the low hand—can be a safe fallback option.
Knowing how to handle three pairs is key to improving your Pai Gow Poker betting strategy.

Three of a Kind

In Pai Gow Poker, the set hand for three of a kind depends on the rank of the cards. Usually, for high three of a kind, meaning Jacks or higher, it is generally best to make the five-card hand using all three cards. This preserves a strong high hand, giving you a better chance to win.

For low three of a kind (10s or lower), consider splitting the set to strengthen your low hand. For instance, with three 5s, placing two 5s in the high hand and one in the low hand can create a balanced setup.

The general rule is to never split aces. Keeping three aces together in the five-card hand maintains maximum strength. Mastering this element of your Pai Gow strategy can help you optimize your hand potential.

Full House

A full house—three of a kind combined with a pair—can be tricky to manage in Pai Gow Poker. Generally, the best approach is to split up the full house. Place the three of a kind in the five-card table hand and the pair in the two-card hand. This ensures that both hands are competitive.

For example, suppose you have three 10s and a pair of 4s. Splitting them creates a strong five-card hand (three 10s) with a decent two-card hand (4s). However, if the pair is low (i.e., 2s), consider choosing to leave the full house as-it-is to keep your high hand intact.

Avoid the temptation to gamble on a single strong hand. Balancing both hands is a safer approach and an essential part of your Pai Gow Poker strategy.

Straights and Flushes

Straights and flushes are powerful in Pai Gow Poker, but deciding whether to keep or split them is crucial. If you can form a straight or flush without weakening your two-card hand, keep it intact. This gives you a solid high hand and increases your odds of winning.

However, if keeping the straight or flush leaves your low hand too weak, split the hand strategically. For instance, if you have a straight (4-5-6-7-8) with a King and Queen, placing the King and Queen in the low hand may balance your setup.

Also, remember the value of the joker. When you have a joker, prioritize completing a straight or flush over using it as a standalone ace. This approach is a core component of a balanced Pai Gow strategy.

Four of a Kind

Four of a kind is among the strongest hands in Pai Gow Poker, although their effective management is important. This Paw Gow Poker betting strategy for handling this hand depends on the rank of cards.

If it’s the high four of a kind Jacks or better, your best bet is to split the hand, placing two cards in your 5 card hand, and two in your two card hand. This balances both hands and gives you an excellent chance to win. For example, if you have four Queens, splitting them gives you a strong two-card hand.

For low four of a kind (10s or lower), keep all four cards in the five-card hand unless splitting them significantly strengthens the two-card hand.

Five Aces

Five aces (four aces and a joker) is the best hand you can possibly have at Pai Gow Poker. Don’t ever split this rare hand if ever you are lucky enough to get it. Keeping all five aces in your five-card hand almost guarantees winning the high hand.

If you have an additional pair, like Kings or Queens, use it for the low hand to maximize your chances of winning both hands. This strategic approach ensures you make the most of this unbeatable hand.

Five aces are rare, so when they appear, make sure you play them to their full potential. This is one of the most valuable Pai Gow tips to remember.

Bonus Bets

Pai Gow Poker bonuses bets are side bets which are added to the actual bet. You can win money despite beating the dealer on your hand on these bets. Examples of such bonuses include those stemming from a straight, flush, full house, or four of a kind.

The odds for bonus bets vary depending on the casino and hand strength. Typically, a straight pays 2:1, while a royal flush can pay up to 150:1. However, the house edge of bonus bets is much higher that of regular bets; it can range from 7% up to 20% or more. Hence, the payouts are attractive but the payoffs over time are less likely.

Is It Worth the Risk?

In proper consideration of the risk: reward trade off, Bonus bets could be part of your Pai Gow poker betting plan. Casual players, for instance, who want to get thrills will likely enjoy the opportunities to win big. Nevertheless, seasoned players rarely, if ever, opt for side bets due to their large house edge.

If you’re eyeing to play them, keep a close look on not just how to play but also on your bankroll. It is advised to follow the basics of Pai Gow poker strategy first before venturing into complicated setups.

Banking

In Pai Gow Poker, banking is what happens when you decide to be the banker and handle the dealer functions. Having become the banker you will have to decide on how to distribute winnings to other players and to credit them in losses together at the same time. In this position, there is a certain benefit as in the event there is a tie, the banker wins.

Risks and Rewards of Banking

• Rewards: Ventures to the bank are somewhat an upper hand to the dealer by means of winning its tie. Over a long stretch, this surely enhances the chances of earning good profit.
• Risks: One has to have immense money for the banker because of banks substituted with all other players and all winning players would be folded out. A strong competing hand for many players could certainly bring on crushing losses.

This Pai Gow poker strategy is most effective when the player bankers either a strong hand or other players are making high bets. Additionally, when one can alternate between banking and playing normally, the risk/reward ratio will strike a balance, thus allowing you to maximize profits and minimize losses at the same time.