Strategies for Playing Pai Gow Poker
When playing Pai Gow poker, the most important thing to remember is that you have to be able to win both hands. If you have a full house, that would make a great 5-card hand, but what do you have for the other two cards? Unless you have an additional pair, you are likely to lose the second hand. You will usually be better off to split the full house into two hands, a three-of-a-kind and a pair. Your pair has a good chance of winning the two card hand, and a three-of-a-kind is not bad for a 5-card hand.
If you have a choice between a really strong hand and a really weak hand or two average hands, it is usually better to go for the strong hand. This way if the second hand loses, it’s still a push. With two average hands, you risk losing on both and losing your bet.
Sometimes Pai Gow is played with a rotating bank. If you are playing at a full table with six players plus the dealer, you will have the option of playing as the bank every seventh hand. Playing as the banker is a good way to really make some money at this game. However, it also puts you in the position of having a lot to lose. The person who is playing the bank must be able to cover the bets of ever other player on the table.
When you are playing as the bank, you take the place of the casino. Everyone else is playing against you, even the dealer. You will have to pay any losses if you lose, but you will get the whole pot if you win. If you win, keep in mind that you will still have to pay the casino a 5% commission on the winnings.
