Submitted by TwoGun on 2004-09-06
Pai Gow Poker is traditionally played as a casino game, with the player competing against the house.
Both the player and the dealer are dealt seven cards. Each arranges his hand into a 5 card hand (high hand) and a two-card hand (low hand). For the two card hand, only pairs and high card ranks are considered. The five card hand must be better than the low card hand.
Pai Gow Poker is generally played with a joker. The joker can be used to complete a flush or straight, or else it is an ace.
When both sides have arranged their hands, the two hands are compared against each other. If the dealer wins both high and low, the player loses. If the dealer wins one hand and the player wins the other, it is a push. If the player wins both, he or she wins. However, the house takes a 5% commission when it is played at a casino. Thus, on a $10 bet, the player would only win $9.50 (when played at a casino). Also at a casino, the dealer wins if there is a tie. So if your low hand is AK and the dealer's low hand is also AK, the dealer would win the low hand.
When Pai Gow poker is played as a home game instead of a casino game, changes are made in order to be fair to all players. There are two options. Players could take turns being the house. Another option is to eliminate the 5% take and the house wins on ties rules.
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