How To Play and Win At Pai Gow Poker!

Description: It's not barbeque lo mien, it's a mix of the ancient Chinese game of dominoes with modern American poker. Pai Gow Poker is the hottest online game. It's easy to play and you can win real money. Read on...

Two Fisted Poker

What makes online Pai Gow unique is that each player ends up with two separate hands of cards. To win the game, you must have your two hands beat the dealer's two hands. If you and the dealer split the hands, it is a push and you get your bet back. In fact, the only way to lose is when the Dealer beats both your hands.

Big and Little Hands

In the game, you are dealt seven cards. It is then up to you to sort the seven into a five card hand and a two card hand. However, make sure that your five card hand is stronger than your two card hand. If your two card hand is higher, you automatically lose. (It's referred to as a "foul.") So you want to have a good five card hand. On the other hand, you won't win the deal unless your two card hand is also a winner, so make sure you have something to show.

A two card hand? Are you kidding?

Wait, you did read correctly. One of your Pai Gow hands is comprised of just two cards. Now most people can't imagine a two card poker hand. It's true, you can't have a straight, a flush, or a full house with only two cards. You can't even have a three of a kind because�. That's right, you've got only two cards in the small hand. So the best you can hope for is a pair, and a pair of Aces is the best of the best.

What Else Can You Get in Your Two Card Hand?

If your two card hand doesn't have at least a pair, then the hand is ranked according to the highest card. If you have an Ace and a five, you then have an "Ace High" hand. You will win the two card hand if the dealer does not have a pair or an Ace. If the dealer has an Ace, than the high cards are tied and the winner is the one with the highest second card.

How To Win

Most of the time, the hands in Pai Gow will end up in a push since you and the dealer will each win a hand. But be patient. At some point in time, the rights cards will come up. If you have a flush or straight and a nice two card set, you could win big. Of course the amount you win is dependent on how much you bet and what cards you receive. To place your bet, all you need to do is click on the "chip size" indicator button and decide how many chips to play. It's that easy! Yet the reason so many people love playing Pai Gow is that you can get a good feel for the game by playing many rounds without risking much.

Five Aces?!!!!

Pai Gow Poker uses 52 playing cards plus a Joker. The joker counts as an Ace, unless it can be used to complete a straight or a flush. So if you have four Aces and a joker, you now have that elusive killer hand - five Aces!! Read below to see how you can make a fortune with this hand.

Did someone say "Bonus"?

The big difference in Bonus Pai Gow is that at the beginning of each round, you have the option of placing a bonus bet. You win if your seven card hand contains a winning combination like a flush or a straight. Yes, that was not a typo, I did say seven card hand. The bonus play is determined BEFORE the hands are split. So you could win a bonus with five Aces, then split them up so that you have a pair of Aces in your low hand and three Aces in your high hand. If you selected the right bet, you just cleaned up.

Have Fun at Pai Gow Bonus Poker

The most important thing is that you not get in over your head. These game are for amusement. While winning money is great, make sure that you bet within your limits. That way you can squeeze the most excitement and enjoyment out of Pai Gow.