Pai Gow Poker - One of the best games for casual players!

[heavy]

First I'll tell you the story of Pai Gow Poker and how it came to be. Asian players will say it originated in the Far East - and indeed the Chinese version of the game - played with Pai Gow tiles (dominos) did originate in Asia. But the Americanized version - played with cards instead of tiles - was invented in a California card club - legal poker casinos in the Bear State. The game was created by Sam Torosian, a struggling casino owner, who felt the game would save his failing casino. The game was an instant hit, but Torosian failed to get the game patented. As a result, he's never earned a dime off a game that has found its way into virtually every casino in the US.

The beauty of Pai Gow for craps players? First, it's a sit down game and a great place to give your feet a rest. Second, it's played at a very slow pace. While the house edge on this game varies depending on the house rules, think in terms of around a 5% vig. But since the game is played slowly the average player loses less per hour than he would at a faster paced card game such as blackjack. It's a game you can play at the $5 - $10 level with a realatively short bankroll. Or, if you want to play the high roller game, you can play relatively pain-free at the $25 level. Well bankrolled players can play at the $100 level with little fear of busting out. Nevertheless, you should always play within your gaming budget. Don't risk what you can't afford to lose.

Pai gow poker is played with a standard 52 card deck plus one joker. You play heads-up against the banker. The player or players each compete against the banker to make the best possible hands. You start out by making a wager. Next the dealer rolls a die to determine which player gets dealt his cards first. Each player receives seven cards. Then each player arranges hiscards into a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The five-card hand is ranked as in poker. The two-card hand is scored by pairs beating two singletons, then by the individual ranks. The highest two-card hand is a pair of aces, and the lowest is 3-2.

If you have problems figuring out how to set you hands at first - don't sweat it. Just lay your cards down and ask the dealer to help. She'll arrange the cards according to a fixed set of rules. That is the same way the dealer arranges her cards, by the way. Once all that is done the player's five-card hand is compared to the dealer's five-card hand, the higher hand wins. Then the player's two-card hand is compared to the dealer's two-card hand.

Okay, here's how this all washes out. If there's a tie - it goes to the banker. If the player beats the dealer with both hands the player wins even money, less a 5% commission. If the player wins one and loses one the bet is a push. If the player loses both the player loses the entire wager.
What makes this game work for the player is the fact that there are a lot of "ties" or "push" decisions where the initial wager is simply returned to the player. You're getting "on the comp clock time" while you're sitting there with a free drink in your hand making new friends and having a little fun. Life is good.

Okay, here's the other secret of Pai Gow poker. If you have enough bankroll to pay off the players if they win, you can elect to be the Banker. Since the rules favor the Banker slightly, this is a good thing. When a player is the banker the dealer will still play, betting an amount equal to the last bet the player made when the dealer was banking. Be the banker as much as possible because you collect the 5% commission on ties.

The keys to winning at Pai Gow are in your hands. Learn how to set your hands and be the banker (if you can afford it) as often as possible. If you're not sure how to set those hands you'll find handy information on the Wizard of Odds site. Here's a link to a nifty graph that will help you in that department:

http://wizardofodds.com/paigowpoker/appendix1.html

Sam Torosian, the inventor of Pai Gow Poker, never made a dime off the game. With good money management skills you should do significantly better. Learn to play Pai Gow on-line for free at most of the free gaming and on-line casino portals. Here's one that should work for you:

http://www.quickflashgames.com/games/cl ... gow-poker/

[acpa]

Our son always recommends this game. If you don't want to learn how to set your hands, you can have the dealer set it for you, the same way the house does.

Have played it on occasion, but not many casinos in Tunica had it and the last time I started to play, I was told that they didn't let the players be the Banker.

Noah

[vegasfan2010]

Played at Seneca Niagara and found the dealers helpful. It is a slow pace low pressure type of game. Nice break from craps, poker and blackjack. Played for about an hour. Five dollar table, bought in for sixty. Cashed out with eighty two. Not a big win but a nice change of pace.

[heavy]

Hey, one year between posts on this thread. Somebody make note of that. We'll see if someone else posts next September.

Okay, I'll chime in with another thought. Because this is a very slow paced game and there are a lot of ties - go ahead and pony up some green chips. Play for $25 a hand and build some comp credit while you're resting your feet.

[acpa]

Your right it is good for comps.

Noah

[SHOOTITALL]

Wow Heavy, it's been a long time since I have played this, but it seems there was, what, a Dragon Bet, where you could put up $1 upward and if you got like a full house, it paid 4-1, a straight flush a bunch, etc. The beauty of this was after you set and played your hand, then you could combine both hands to make the bonus money. Been a long time. I digress.

[heavy]

Yeah, I need to make it a point to sit down and play a few hands more often. My feet just can't take those marathon sessions at the craps table anymore.

[London Shooter]

Yes, I like Pai Gow. Good slow paced game and great for a drink if you are in an area well serviced by the CWs.

Played in Biloxi last year and they had a "house way" button you could put by your spot so even if you mucked up setting your own hand, the dealer was allowed to change it for you to reflect how the house would have set the cards. Made it even better for a novice like me having a few beers......

[stratocasterman]

Yes, this is a fun, slow paced game to play. Like London Shooter said, you can make it a no-brainer and just play "house way". The dealer will set your hand for you the same way as the house plays. Here in Asia Pacific, you must play your best hand in the five card layout, followed by your second best hand with the remaining two cards. Here, you can buy "credits" and put them in play before any hand you want. If you get certain winning hands such as a full house with a pair down you can win running real-time jackpots.

Was at the craps table several weeks ago and heard this monster applause and screaming behind us at the Pai Gow table. I went over to see what the cheering was all about, as this is generally such a low keyed gaming table. Some gal bet a bonus credit and had a pair of bullets and a straight flush! Won about $15K!

[heavy]

Another thing I like about this game...because of the pace I don't mind playing green chips and moving up to black on a streak. That can help your overall rating for comps.

[Oscararrow]

This is my game to enjoy the casino experience without losing much money.

[heavy]

It's getting harder to find in places where I play. Where are you finding the game these days?

[r_ventura_23]

I love Pai Gow. Easy to eat free at the noodles bar too. Been a long time since I played though.

[rhythm roller]

Palms has a lot of tables. Usually $25 and up.

[heavy]

Interesting, Thanks. I can't find it anywhere locally. Pai Gow, but not Pai Gow Poker.

[rhythm roller]

Saw a couple of tables of "faceup" Pai Gow poker at Palace Station yesterday. They were full. Just walking by so I didn't note the minimum but would guess not too high at Palace Station. Don't know if faceup is better but hadn't seen that one before. If anyone is interested I will keep
posting Vegas Pai Gow as I see them off strip.

[rhythm roller]

Noticed Face Up Pai Gow poker at the Durango the other day when I was there for the first time. Sorry, I didn't stop to notice any details but I will try to remember to do that next trip.

[KevtheCarpenter]

Face up has a lower house edge than conventional pai gow. Definitely play it!