A Winning Pai Gow Strategy
Pai Gow strategy is unlike any other type of card game strategy. That's because Pai Gow poker is unique when it comes to casino games. What makes it different is the manner that players utilize the seven cards they are dealt. If you want to learn the basics of the game, check out our how to play Pai Gow Poker page.
Pai Gow Strategy: Playing the Banker
One of the first recommended strategies is to play as the banker if your online casino gives you the opportunity. Why? Because the banker collects a 5% commission on all wagers. Thus, if any player wins, loses or ties, the banker receives 5%. Also, the banker wins a tie hand.
The probability of the Banker wining both hands is 29.91% and the probability of a tie is 41.48%. The chance of a player winning both is just 28.61%. The advantage in this game goes to the banker. In order to be the banker, you must have played the previous hand and you must be able to cover any and all bets on the table. Players are usually given the opportunity to be the banker on a rotating basis.
Many strategists believe that you can improve your chances of winning by arranging your cards in the "house way." Although this can vary a bit from casino to casino, overall there are standard rules dictating the arrangement of hands. If, as a player, you are mirroring what the house does, you are meeting them head-to-head in the strategic use of your cards.
How does the House Way help
Overall, the "house way" is a method for balancing the power between the front and back hands without making the two-card hand stronger than the five-card hand. The general rule of thumb is that minimally the back (five-card hand) should be a medium to high pair and the front (two-card hand) should feature an ace.
Of all casino tips for this game, perhaps the most confusing and controversial has to do with the splitting of pairs. In order to split them, you must possess two or three pairs. The ranking of each pair will determine if and how they should be split.
The smaller the high pair, the more likely it is that that you would not split them, playing both in back. If you have a high pair and low pair, then split them playing the high pair in back and the low in front. Two medium to low pairs should be played in back, especially if you can play an ace in front. With three pair, play the high pair in front and the two lower pair in back. Finally, three of a kind should always remain intact and played in back.
Keys to Winning Pai Gow Poker
As with all casino table games, there is no bluffing when it comes to Pai Gow strategy, so don't worry yourself with it. This game is all about the cards you're dealt and your ability to group them so that they serve you best. In order to win at this game, you must be vigilant in determining the worth of various combinations, finding the best that will make you the victor in front and back.
Here's an example of how the house will arrange its cards. Once again, you will find some variations.
No Pair and Pairs
• No pair: The highest card goes in the back and the next two highest should be placed in the front.
• One pair: Put the single pair in the back hand and the following two highest cards are put in the front.
• Two pair: The following groups should be used to decide in what manner you'll set up two pair: Low pairs are 2 through 6; medium pairs: 7 through 10 and high pairs: jack through king.
Low pair and low pair: Split with lowest pair in front. Play two pair in the back only if
you hold a king or ace.
Low pair and medium pair: Split with lowest pair in front. If holding a king or ace then
play both pair in back.
Low pair and high pair: Split with low pair in front. But if you have an ace, both pair
should be played in the back.
Medium pair and medium pair: These should be split with the lowest in the front.
However, if you have an ace, then play two pair in the back.
Medium pair and high pair are always split: Medium pair in the front.
High pair and high pair: Always split with lowest play in front.
Pair of aces and any other pair: Always split with low pair in front.
• Three pair: The highest pair is always played in front and two pair in back.
Three of a Kind
• Three of a kind: Always play three of a kind in back unless they are aces, then play a pair of aces in back and one ace in front.
• Three of a kind twice: Always play highest pair in front and the lower three of a kind in back.
Poker Hand Runs - Straights, flushes, straight flushes, and royal flush
• With no pair: When choosing whether to play a straight, flush, or straight flush play the category which will allow the highest two cards in front.
• With 6th or 7th card: Play the lower straight or flush in the back to place the highest cards in front.
• With one pair: If a straight, flush, or straight can be played in the back, play pair in the front.
• With two pair: Utilize rule for two pair.
• With three pair: Utilize rule for three pair.
• With three of a kind: Play pair in front.
• With full house: Utilize rule for full house below.
Full House
• Full house: Always split unless the pair is twos and you have an ace and a king to play in the front.
• Full house with three of a kind and two pairs: Play the highest pair in front.
• Full house with three of a kind twice: Always put the highest pair in front.
Four of a Kind
• Four of a kind: Play according to the rank of the four of a kind: 2 through 6: Always keep together. 7 through 10: Split unless a king or better can be played in front. Jack through king: Split unless an ace can be played in front. Aces: Always split.
• Four of a kind and a pair: Always play pair in front.
• Four of a kind and three of a kind: Play pair in front from the three of a kind.
• Five aces: Split aces and play two aces in front and three aces in back unless you're holding a pair of kings, then play kings in front and five aces in back.