The Fun in Playing Pai Gow

Pai Gow, which is literally translated as “make nine”, is an ancient Chinese game played with the use of dominoes. This game can be traced back a thousand years ago in China. Pai Gow was quite popular in China that Westerners took interest in the game and brought it to the States. Today, Pai Gow is one of the major attractions not only in live casinos but also online.

How to Play Pai Gow?

Are you an avid poker player? If you are, then you’ll definitely enjoy learning the game of Pai Gow. Pai Gow is a variation of the seven-card stud. It was played with dominoes before, but today, it is played with the use of card decks. Pai Gow is quite complicated as compared to other poker variants, but players will definitely be satisfied with the excitement it can provide; plus, the prizes at stake in casinos are definitely tempting.

If you’re new to this game, you can visit a gambling site online and you can play Pai Gow for free. The game play of Pai Gow is similar to that of straight poker as far as winning hands are concerned. Pai Gow is played with a 53-card deck. This means that there is an additional joker used in the game. That’s why a five-of-a-kind is a definite winning hand. Unlike straight poker though, where the highest possible hand is a royal flush, Pai Gow’s five-of-a-kind can totally beat the royal flush. The next set of cards with high value includes a straight flush.

Players must keep in mind that, to determine the winning hand, all seven cards are used. The dealer is not only responsible for dealing the cards, but he also has the objective to beat the players. At the start of the game, the players are dealt with seven cards, all facing down. After the deal, the players arrange their cards into five-card hand and two-card hand. Players must learn to determine the hand values of the game. Remember that the highest possible hand is five-of-a-kind, while the highest two-card hand is a pair or high card.

Payouts in Pai Gow

After the end of the game, the dealer and the players battle against the winning spot. The cards are revealed, and the payouts begin. When you’re playing Pai Gow, you need to learn how the winnings are given. The five-card hands and the two-card hands are both compared. The cards of the dealer will be compared with each player. In instances where both your hands beat the dealer’s, then you’ll be receiving the amount you placed at the start of the game. On the other hand, if the dealer wins one hand and you win the other, then you’ll be keeping your stake. If the dealer wins both hands, then he will keep the payouts.

Pai Gow is a game of chance and skill, so you need to practice more before you play the actual thing, so you can prevent any financial losses.