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What is Online Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow originated in China and initially, it was a game played using a set of 32 domino tiles. Much like other casino games, the ancient Chinese game has since then evolved and it’s now played in most online casinos. In the mid-1980s, the game was developed into a modern one, that’s played using a deck of 53 cards which makes it different from a traditional poker game. Modern Pai Gow poker casino game is based on the original Pai Gow poker game but it’s played using cards instead of tiles.
“Although it’s a complex game, once you master the skill it becomes quite fun and entertaining to play. During the gameplay, you play against the dealer and your aim is to come up with a five-card poker hand and a two-card poker hand. The five-card hand should be higher in value for you to win. You can easily play Pai Gow online the same way.”
Free Pai Gow Demo
Play Pai Gow Poker online for free! This exclusive demo is made by the industry's most trusted guide for online casino reviews. Practice as long as you like, if you run out of points, simply click "reload".
Don't forget: At the start of each round you have to pick 2 cards from your hand to form the lower hand.
A piece of advice: The Fortune Bonus is very important to win big.
The Rules of Pai Gow Explained
Before sitting down at any online casino Pai Gow poker table to play fortune Pai Gow poker games online, you have to know the game’s rules. There are numerous rules that govern how this poker game is played. The most important rule is the hand ranking system. Pai Gow poker hands are ranked in a similar manner to how they are in stud poker and Texas Hold’em. So three of a kind will beat a pair etc.
Important to know: When the game starts, the player has to pick 2 cards that will form the "Low Hand", while the other 5 cards will form the "High Hand". The High Hand has to beat your Low Hand. For example: If your Low game of Hand has a pair of Kings, then your High Hand needs a Pair of Aces or better as the winning combination since high hands beat low hands. Finally, both hands have to be higher than the dealer´s hands in order to be the winning hands.
Side Bets
The availability of a side bonus bet and its payout hugely depend on the software version a casino offers. Pai Gow poker has several variants and side bets. Thus, the chances of you placing side bets are very high. Some of the side bets include:
Fortune Bonus Bet
- Allows players to bet on getting three-of-a-kind or better
- Pays out based on the value of the player's seven cards
- Includes an "Envy Bonus" if another player gets a four-of-a-kind or better
Pai Gow Side Bet Varieties
- Pai Gow Mania: Permits players to make two side bets
- Emperor's Challenge: Side bet on specific hand combinations
- Progressive Fortune Pai Gow: Allows side bets with a potential jackpot for a seven-card straight flush
Specialized Side Bets:
- Pai Gow Insurance: Pays out when a player gets a "Pai Gow" (seven singletons with no straight or flush)
- Jokolor: Wins if the player has a joker and/or all cards of the same color
- Lucky 8's: Offers massive payouts, including up to 8,888:1 for a natural seven-card straight flush
Strongest Hands
This is a five-card Pai Gow hand and it gets its name from sitting “higher’ on the table.
“House Way” at Online Casinos
House way is a set of rules that must be followed by all dealers as they construct their Pai Gow poker hands. This system is not an optimum pai gow strategy, but it plays an important role in keeping the house in the game. Note that this rule varies from casino to casino.
The Role of the Joker
Unlike other poker games, Pai Gow poker is played using 53 cards and the extra card is the Joker. A Joker is used as the wild card in Pai Gow. Although it’s referred to as a wild, it can only become a wild when it’s used to complete a Flush, a Straight, or a Straight Flush.
The Odds of Pai Gow Explained
Pai Gow has a house edge of 1.46% and what this number means is that all players expect to lose 1.46% of their bankroll. This also gives you an idea of how much you should expect to earn from an online casino. For example, if 200 hands are playing Pai Gow an hour, placing a £1 bet, the expected loss is £2.8 each hour. If you have more questions, check the pai gow poker faq section.
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Pai Gow Strategies — How to Win
Applying a strategy while playing any poker game can automatically improve your chances of winning. Just like Blackjack, Pai Gow requires you to use a combination of your skill and a strategy. If you use the strategy correctly, you can cut the house edge and profit from this game. Basically, this game is all about how you arrange the hands.
Here are a few steps you should take into consideration:
Understanding Basic Hand Composition
When you receive your seven cards, carefully assess their potential. Your primary goal is to create two strong hands: a five-card "backhand" and a two-card "fronthand". The backhand must always be stronger than the fronthand according to traditional poker hand rankings.
Managing Hands Without Strong Combinations
If your initial hand lacks pairs, flushes, or straights, focus on playing your highest card strategically. Place the highest card in the backhand to maximize your hand's potential and create the most competitive arrangement possible within the game's rules.
Handling Pairs in Your Hand
When dealt a pair among your seven cards, always place that pair in the backhand. If you have multiple pairs, place the higher pair in the backhand and the lower pair in the fronthand. This approach helps balance your hand's strength and increases your chances of winning both hands.
Utilizing the Joker Effectively
If a joker is included in your hand, use it strategically to complete a straight, flush, or as an ace. The joker provides flexibility and can significantly improve your hand's potential when used intelligently.
Maintaining Balanced Hand Strategy
Always aim to create two competitive hands that have a realistic chance of beating the dealer's hands. Remember that both your backhand and fronthand must be stronger than the corresponding dealer hands to win the round.
Online Pai Gow vs. Live Pai Gow
You can now play Live Pai Gow poker from anywhere around a table with up to six other players. The game can be played at various levels because it’s not fast-paced. There are several live Pai Gow variants and they all have different RTPs and slight modifications. These are some of the top benefits you will enjoy from playing the live variants, as well as some of the weaker sides:
Online Pai Gow
Low minimum bets, often as low as $1
Convenient access without casino travel
Live dealer options available from home
Flexible betting ranges from low to high stakes
Lacks physical social interaction
VS
Live Pai Gow
Authentic casino atmosphere and social interaction
Physical card handling and game experience
Immediate drink and comp services
Direct interaction with dealer and other players
Slower game pace compared to online
Live Pai Gow Variants
If you are a fan of live games, you should definitely try some Live Pai Gow poker variants.
There are a number of variants out there and they use the basic Pai Gow poker strategy. The only difference is that their gameplays are slightly modified.
One of the most common live variants is Fortune Pai Gow which has beautiful graphics.
No Push Pai Gow
These games are rare to find but you can play them on a few online casinos. For this variant, there is no banking or commission. Both the player and dealer get one card face-down. If the dealer’s card is higher or equal to the player’s card, the dealer wins.
Easy Mode Pai Gow
Easy mode is a commission: free Pai Gow poker version, but there are additional hands that make up for the loss of commission.
Pai Gow Mania
This is the most popular Pai Gow variant, and it allows two side bets during all hands. Some online casinos will offer this game simply with the name “Pai Gow”.
Fortunate Pai Gow
Fortunate is a Pai Gow poker side bet that pays out depending on the value of all the player’s cards. This means that it doesn’t matter how you set your hand. In case another player has a better or a four-of-a-kind, the one making a Fortune bet will receive an “Envy Bonus”.
House Way Pai Gow
Once all hands have been set, the dealer goes ahead to expose the player-dealer’s hand, and sets it as per the House Way for the casino. In this game, there is no pair, and the 2nd and 3rd highest cards are in front.
History of Pai Gow
Modern Pai Gow originated from Chinese Pai Gow. The latter consisted of dominoes that had symbols representing certain scenes. Chinese Pai Gow poker was quite popular in the Far East. Since then, the game has evolved into different versions played in different regions. It reached American land in the 19th century and it was greatly adapted to suit the American market. The main change happened in the late 1900s when the dominoes were exchanged for cards by a Californian casino owner. Since then up to date, the game is played using a deck of 53 cards, 52 are normal cards and one is a joker.
You can find on this page:
5 Mistakes New Pai Gow Players Do
The Best Pai Gow Games Developers
The online gambling industry is filled with so many software providers. However, only a few can be referred to as the best software providers. Such providers are the ones that provide high-quality games that are interesting to play.
Online Pai Gow FAQ
How do you play Pai Gow Poker?
To play Pai Gow you just have to know the rules and strategy. During the gameplay, you are dealt seven cards and your goal is to make one poker hand with five cards and a poker hand with the remaining two.
Why is it called Pai Gow?
The name Pai Gow is translated as card nine or make nine. This simply means that the maximum score for each hand is nine.
Can I play Pai Gow for free?
Many online casinos offer a free version of the game and you can test out the software and feel the site. Playing the game for free lets you develop your strategy and improve your skills.
What’s the trick to winning at Pai Gow?
This is a low-risk poker game as long as you use the correct strategy and avoid bonus bets.
Is Pai Gow rigged?
Just like all other table games, Pai Gow isn’t rigged. Most casino games are audited and tested by independent bodies. This is an assurance that the game’s outcome is fair and no one has tampered with the results.
Is insurance a good idea?
The Pai Gow Insurance is one of the newest Pai Gow’s versions offered at online casinos. The version is played exactly like the regular game.
Are there any working Pai Gow strategies?
There are so many strategies about how to win this poker game. Some of these strategies are advanced and might take time to practice. These strategies are important and they will help you win at the end of the day.
Should I try Pai Gow or stick to regular poker?
The only difference between regular poker and Pai Gow poker is that the latter is played with a 53-card deck while the former uses 52 cards. At the end of the day, in these two games, you have to compete to try and make the highest hand. Therefore, it’s up to you, to choose the game that suits you.
Is it possible to win real money with Pai Gow?
Yes! Whether it's regular pai gow, poker pai gow, or some other variation, it's still a casino game - and as such, at least while playing with cash, you can definitely earn a bit extra. Pai Gow poker payouts aren't huge, but they're decent and frequent enough if you know how to play.
What's the best Pai Gow Poker hand?
In accordance with the Pai Gow Poker rules, hands range from single card, straight flush, all the way to royal flush and, ultimately, five aces. Of course, you'd be lucky enough to even witness a game of Pai Gow where someone gets five aces, let alone to get it yourself, but technically it is possible.
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