Pai Gow Poker strategy

At a cursory glance, the rules of Pai Gow Poker can be described in a couple of sentences. The player’s main objective: to beat the dealer with two combinations formed by five and two cards. At the same time, they have to be divided, taking into account that the higher hand is supposed to be stronger. At the new online casino, you can hone your game at Pai Gow Poker.

It is the strategy of forming combinations that deserves a lot of attention.

Basic strategy

Here are a few useful guidelines that work to reduce the casino’s advantage when using the optimal strategy. The player needs to make the most advantageous two-card combination that is possible with a stronger hand of five cards. For example: an impressive pair in a high hand and one or two high cards in a low hand.

Important note: Having a royal flush, a square, a straight flush does not qualify for extra payouts, in most cases it is better to split them.

No pairs and no higher combinations

Keep the strongest card in your high hand and form your lower hand with the second and third strongest cards.

One pair in cards

Keep it in your high hand and choose two high cards for your junior combination.

Two Pairs

A difficult decision has to be made: split two pairs for both hands or leave it as a five-card combination. More often than not, the choice depends on the importance level of the pairs – the older one of them is, the more relevant it is to include them in a low hand.

Three Pairs

The only way out is to put the highest pair into a junior hand.

One or two threes

There are several versions of the three-pair draw:

Consisting of queens and weaker cards, tris are left in the high hand.
When splitting three aces, two remain in the five cards, and the third is separated along with the high card.
The three kings are split in the same way when the role of the high card is played by a jack or lower.
In the case of two tris, a pair is allocated from the high card to the low hand.

Straight, Straight Flush, Royal Flush

Draws are made depending on the particular situation:

The presence of a straight or flush allows the combination to be left unchanged, with the remaining cards being carried into the junior hand.
Forming two such combinations requires keeping only one, with the highest cards in the low hand. It makes sense to choose a straight to strengthen the low hand.
A flush or straight with two pairs at the same time: Two pairs should be played in the pattern, disregarding the five-card combination.
Three pairs combined with a straight or flush are played as three regular pairs.
Splitting a straight or flush with a trice is not required, just separating a pair or an ace from them.
Drawing a straight flush or royal flush is no different than a straight or flush.

Full house

When a full house is called, the three remain in the high hand and a pair is split into a junior hand.

Four of a Kind

When no pairs or high cards are observed among the cards, it is advisable to split a carre into two pairs.

Summary

Simplifying the strategy of playing Pai Gow Poker is not without its challenges due to many nuances and possible exceptions. However, by following our tips, you’ll be able to reduce your casino advantage to 2.7%.