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Pai Gow

Pai Gow is a poker variation based on the Chinese game. A pack of 52 cards plus one Joker is used. The Joker is a wild card that can be used as an Ace or to complete straight, flush or a straight flush.

Before the deal the player makes his/her bet. Seven cards are dealt to the player. The player looks at his cards and divides them to form two hands: a 2-card hand and a 5-card hand. The relative values of the 5-card hand are the same as in poker, with the five aces beating a royal flush. And an A, 2, 3, 4, 5 straight being rated the second highest straight after A, K, Q, J, 10. For the 2-card hand any pair beats any 2 unmatched cards, but no other combinations are possible. The player must arrange the cards so that the 5-card hand is higher than the 2-card hand (if the two cards are a pair of aces, the 5-card hand would have to contain two pairs or better).

When the player is ready, he/she clicks on the "Done" button and the dealer's cards will be exposed. The dealer forms the seven cards into a 5-card hand and a 2-card hand the same way as a player.

The result between the dealer and the player is determined by comparing the player's 5-card hand and the player's 2-card hand vs. the dealer's 2-card hand.

Always remember when playing Pai Gow:

• • If the player wins both hands, the dealer pays out the amount bet by the player less a 5% commission. The commission is collected from the payoff.
• • If the dealer wins one hand and the player wins the other, no money changes hands. This is called a "Push".
• • If the dealer wins both hands the dealer collects the player's bets.
• • If either hand is tied, the dealer wins that particular hand. If the dealer wins or ties the other hand, it is a win for the dealer. If one hand is tied and the player wins the other hand, it is a Push.
• • After the player has made his first bet, the "second hand" button will highlight offering the opportunity for playing a second hand at the same time. Rules for playing the second hand are the same.

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