Pai Gow Strategy
In Pai Gow Poker, you get seven cards, with which you create two separate poker hands. The fist hand consists of five cards, like a regular poker hand, and the second hand is made up of two cards.
Remember that the five-card hand must have higher value than the two-card hand.
The dealer also gets seven cards and makes two hands, and hopefully, you beat him both ways. But what is the best strategy when separating your cards into two holdings? Bear with me; I'll explain every possible scenario.
How to Play Every Pai Gow Hand
No Pair Put the highest card in the five-card hand (you are forced to do so.) Then place the next two highest in the two-card hand.
One Pair Always put the pair in the five-card hand, and the highest two cards in the two-card hand.
Two Pair Always split a pair of aces and any other pair.
Also split face-card pair and a pair of 6s or higher.
With a two pair with 6s or below, keep the two pair in the five-card hand.
Split all other pairs, unless you have an ace. Then you put the ace in the two-card hand and place the two pair in the five-card hand.
Three Pairs The highest pair goes into the two-card hand.
Three of a Kind Always play the trips in the five-card hand, unless you have three aces, then place pair of aces in the five-card hand and ace high in the two-card hand
Straight or flush Only a straight/flush: Place in the five-card hand. If you have a six-card straight/flush, place the highest card in the two-card hand.
Straight/flush and pair: Place the pair in the two-card hand.
Straight/flush with two pair: See two pair rule.
Full House Always split, except a pair of twos, or if you can play AK in the two-card hand.
Four of a Kind 2 to 6: Play in five-card hand
7 to 10: Split, unless you can play an ace and a picture card in the two-card hand.
Jack to King: Split, unless you also have a pair 10 or above.
Straight flush Only a straight flush: place in the five-card hand
A straight flush with two pair above 10: Split. Also split a pair of aces and any other pair.
A straight flush with two pair and an ace: Place the two pair in the five-card hand and the ace in the two-card hand.
Play a straight or flush in the five card hand if it makes it possible to place a face card or an ace in the two card hand.
Royal flush: Only a Royal flush: Play in the five-card hand.
Royal flush with two pair: See the two pair rule.
If you can place a pair in the two-card hand, and still keep a straight or flush in the five-card hand: Split.
Five Aces Split, unless you can play kings in the two-card hand.
