Pai Gow Poker is a popular casino game that originated in China. It is played with a deck of 52 cards and one joker card, and can be played with up to six players at once.
The objective of the game is to create two hands – one five-card hand and one two-card hand – that beat the dealer’s corresponding hands. In this tutorial, we will discuss how to deal Pai Gow Poker.
Firstly, let’s talk about the equipment you will need to play Pai Gow Poker. You’ll need a deck of cards, a table with enough seats for all players, and poker chips for betting. Once you have all the necessary equipment, you’re ready to start dealing.
To begin with, each player must place their bet in the designated area on the table. The dealer will then shuffle the deck and deal seven cards face down to each player in a counterclockwise direction from their right. The remaining cards are placed in a stack in front of the dealer.
Next, each player must separate their seven cards into two hands – one five-card hand and one two-card hand. The five-card hand must be higher than the two-card hand in rank.
Once all players have arranged their hands, they place them face down on the table in front of them. It is important not to show your cards until all players have arranged their hands.
Now it’s time for the dealer to reveal their own seven cards and arrange them into two hands according to specific rules known as “house ways.” These rules vary depending on the casino or establishment where you are playing Pai Gow Poker.
Once the dealer has arranged their hands, they will compare them with each player’s hands starting from their right and moving clockwise around the table. If both of your hands beat both of the dealer’s corresponding hands, then you win!
If only one of your hands beats only one of the dealer’s corresponding hands, it’s a tie and your bet is returned. If the dealer’s hands beat both of your corresponding hands, you lose.
In the event of a tie, there are no winners or losers, and the bet is returned to each player. However, if one of your hands wins while the other loses, it is called a “push,” and your bet is returned.
In conclusion, Pai Gow Poker can seem complex at first but it’s an enjoyable game once you have played it a few times. Remember to arrange your hands according to the rules and compare them with the dealer’s hands correctly. Good luck and have fun playing Pai Gow Poker!
