Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is an American version of the old Chinese game of Pai Gow. Actually, it is a blending of Pai Gow and poker that, in its earliest form, probably dates back to the mid-1800s. In 1986, a modem version of Pai Gow Poker got its start in California card rooms and, in 1987, the casino version (in which the house may act as banker) was introduced in Las Vegas. A few years later, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission approved Pai Cow Poker. Since then, it has become one of the fastest-growing games in American casinos.
The original game of Pai Cow, which uses special dominos, is symbolic, enigmatic, and difficult to learn. Pai Cow Poker, on the other hand, uses a regular deck of cards and is based on standard poker hands. It is comparatively easy to learn and play—our casinos wouldn’t have it any other way.
Blackjack
Pai Cow Poker is played on a blackjack-like table with six player positions. It uses a standard 52-card deck plus one joker. With a couple of exceptions, winning hands are almost the same as standard poker hands. That is where the similarity to Holdem ends. You only play against the banker’s hand, and you have only one opportunity to place a bet. Consequently, the bluffing and normal playing strategies that are used in regular poker games are of no value.
The game begins after the banker is selected and each player puts up an initial bet. The selection procedure for the banker, who may be the dealer or one of the players, will be explained later. Seven cards are then dealt to everyone at the table, including the dealer. You now have to split your seven cards into two separate hands: a two card hand and a five card hand.
winning condition
you win if both hands beat both of the banker’s hands. If one hand beats the banker and the other doesn’t, it is considered a push and no money changes hands. Hands that are exactly alike are called copy hands and are won by the banker. Although the house already has the edge (unless a player is the banker), to be certain it can never lose money, it assesses a 5% commission on all winning bets.
Pai Gow Poker moves at a leisurely pace. Originally, the dealing process was somewhat involved and convoluted, and many players were very slow and deliberate in deciding how to split their hands. Today, however, most casinos have figured out ways to speed up the game and most players are experienced enough to arrange their hands quickly. Your bankroll will fluctuate less than in other games because all the bets are even money, and almost half the hands are pushes.
