How to Play Pai Gow Poker Guide for Players
The task of educating yourself on how to play Pai Gow Poker is one of the first things you should do when you decide to play at a gambling site in the UK. Pai Gow poker can also be referred to as the Double Hand Poker which is a different version of the classical Pai Gow that is played with cards in place of dominoes or pai gows.
This game is quite fun to play, but understanding the basics may be tricky. This is especially true for the novice casino player. This is why we created this guide on how to play pai gow poker. We understand that it may not be easy to jump in and play.
Once you have figured out how to play pai gow poker, you can then go to any of the best online casinos that we have recommended for you. You may want first to start practising with the free play option before you start committing your money. Once you feel that you are confident enough to play for real money, then you can do so. This game serves as a nice variation to the traditional poker games on the internet.
Popular Casino Sites for Pai Gow Poker
Dealing the Game
There is an unusual dealing method in pai gow poker UK . Once the dealer has shuffled the cards, he/she will place them facing down. There will be seven cards that are placed down. Each player will receive one card, including the dealer. In addition to this, four cards will be unused, and those cards are placed in the discard pile or what is referred to as the muck.
Each seat will be numbered from one to seven. This will begin with whoever the banker is. A random number will choose the person who gets to be dealt the cards first. The dealer will then hand out the card in a counter-clockwise direction.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker: Setting Up the Pai Gow Hand
You will get seven cards, and from those cards, you have to make two hands. One hand must have two cards while the other hand will have five cards. With regards to the two-card hand, the only possibilities you have is creating a pair or have high cards. When it comes to the five-card hand, then the ordinary poker hand rankings are used. You have to make sure that the five-card hand has a higher ranking than the two-card hand. So, if your two-card hand consists of two aces, then you must make sure that your five-card hand has better cards.
You can use the Joker card only if you want to complete a flush or straight. If a flush or a straight is not possible, then you must use the Joker as an Ace. However, you should be careful of this rule because some gambling sites in the UK will have other rules apply. But this rule is quite common.
Pai Gow Showdown
Once all the players have set their hands, they must place the two-card hand in the front and the five-card hand at the back. So, this means that the five-card hand is at the bottom. You may find that other people have different names for it, such as the “big,” “high” or “behind.” Then the two-card hand is most often called the “small” or the “low,” “minor” or “in front.” If you have set your hands, for example, having the two-card hand ranking higher than the five-card hand. Then the two-card hand will be considered a foul. Which means it can either be reset following the house rules or it can be forfeited. The decision lies with how the rules of the casino are set for Pai Gow poker.
If the dealer is the banker, then the cards have to be set according to the rules of the house. But, if a player is the banker for any of the hands, then the player can choose how they want to set their hand. If the player and the dealer are co-bankers, then the hands should be set according to casino rules.
Pai Gow Poker Side Bets
Many casinos in the UK are developing Pai Gow Poker games that feature side bets. This is why it is essential to learn how to play Pai Gow Poker. If you dive in, you may find yourself surprised by the possible side bets that are being placed. Here are a few popular Pai gow variants that will accept side bets:
- Fortune Pai Gow – this game allows players to place bets on trips or something even better.
- Pai Gow Mania – allows players to make two side bets
- Emperors Challenge – this game allows players to make side bets on the pai gow.
- Progressive Fortune Pai Gow – players can place side bets with a combination of seven-card straight flush.
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