Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a game that has its roots in the ancient Chinese game,
Pai Gow. However, it combined with American Poker and has evolved into
the modern game of Pai Gow Poker. The interesting thing about Pai Gow Poker
is that you can play the game for a long time without losing substantial
amounts of money, that is if you keep your wits about you.
Pai Gow is played with a 53-card deck consisting of a standard 52-card
deck with 1 wild card. The object of the game is to split your hand into
a five-card hand and a two-card hand with both hands beating the dealer's
two hands to win. The wild card is not a true wild card and has specific
rules. The card only acts as an Ace or the fifth card in either a flush
or a straight. It cannot be used to make a pair of 10's or Queens
After you receive your seven cards you must split them into two hands,
a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The five-card hand must always rank
higher than the two-card hand. To do this move the mouse pointer over the
cards you want to make your two-card hand. Click on the two cards one at
a time and they will split out of the deck. Notice that once you have chosen
an eligible two-card hand (not better than your five-card hand) the split
button becomes available. If you are happy with your choice click on this
split button and you will have your two playing hands. If you are not satisfied
with your choices click on the card or cards which you want to change and
they will go back into your seven-card hand. Now choose the new cards you
wish to play with. You may do this until you press the split button at
which point your hands are locked-in. The dealer will then split his hand
and the game will play itself out.
Each five-card hand is ranked according to the standard poker hand hierarchy
. Remember that because of the wild card, you have the potential to have
five Aces, which beats a royal flush. Your two-card hand can either be
a pair or no pair, therefore, your highest possible two-card hand would
be a pair of Aces. The wild card can function in several ways. It can act
as an Ace in any hand or the fifth card in a straight, a flush, a straight
flush, or a royal flush.
Payoffs
The only way for the player to win is to win both hands outright. The
house wins if the dealer wins both hands outright or wins one hand and
the other hand is a draw. Any other combination results in a push. This
will lead to many draws, so there will be a 5% commission on all player
wins, which will be automatically deducted from the player's account. Apart
from the commission, all winning wagers are paid out at even money (1 to
1).
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