Pai Gow Poker Strategy
Here is the secret of how to win at pai gow poker in one short sentence. Make your second highest hand as high as you can, as long as your highest hand is higher!
Sample hand. The dealer deals you two 6s, two jacks, a 7, 9, and 10. Playing regular poker, it would make sense to keep your two pair together. If you did that in pai gow poker, however, your other hand would probably lose, and you would wind up with a push. In pai gow poker, the proper way to play this hand is to place the two jacks in your highest hand (along with your 7, 9, and 10), and the two 6s in your second highest hand. Now you have a good chance of winning both hands.
Sample hand. The dealer deals you three 5s, two 7s, an ace, and a 4. Place your three 5s in your highest hand (with the ace and 4), and the two 7s in your second highest hand. You are making your second highest hand as high as you can, but your highest hand is still higher.
Or let's say the dealer really likes you and deals you two aces, two 10s, two 8s and a jack. In this case, you should place the two 10s, the two 8s and the jack in your highest hand, and the two aces in your second highest hand. Two pair is a good hand, and nothing will beat two aces in a two-card hand.
Rule of thumb: If you have two pair, always split by placing your high pair in your highest hand and your low pair in your second highest hand.
Exception: If one pair is lower than 7s, and you have an odd ace, play the low pair with the high pair and play your ace in the second highest hand. You have a strong combination in your highest hand, and an ace with any other card is still a good two-card hand.
Points to remember: Be careful not to foul or you could forfeit your bet. If you're not sure how to set your hand, ask the dealer to set it for you. He is not doing you a favoUr; It's part of the game.
The joker can only be used as an ace, or as a wild card in a straight or flush. When used in a straight or flush, it will fill in as the highest card possible.
