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In Pai gow poker the players individually compete
against the banker. The game is played with a 53
card deck, which includes the standard 52 cards
and a joker. The game begins by players placing
their wagers. A roll of dice determines which
player gets the first hand. Seven cards at a time
are dealt to each player starting with the one who
rolls the highest. The dealer also takes seven
cards. Both the player and the dealer arrange
their hand into two sets. One set is of five cards
and the other of two cards. Then the sets of each
player are compared with that of the dealer to
decide who wins.
In general, poker hand rankings are used to
compare sets, but there are some exceptions. The
variations can differ from casino to casino hence
the exact rules should be checked out before
playing. In some casinos, the wheel, consisting of
ace, two, three, four and five is deemed to be the
second highest straight. Usually the two card set
is treated as a pair or as individual cards. There
is no straight or flush in the two card set. Hence
the highest two card set is an ace pair and the
lowest one is a two and three. A condition to be
followed while dividing the hand is that the two
card set cannot be higher than the five cards set.
If the player does this then he “fouls” and loses
his wager immediately. The joker is not a complete
wild card. It can be used a wild card only to make
a straight, flush or straight flush. In all other
circumstances it is treated as an ace. In some
casinos, if seats are empty a player is allowed to
play in two positions by making two independent
bets.
The player’s five card set is compared with the
dealer’s five card set and the player’s two card
set is compared with the dealer’s two card set.
The higher ranked set wins with ties going to the
dealer. If the player wins both sets then he is
paid out 1:1 less the 5% house commission. If the
player wins one set and the dealer wins the other
then it is a push and the player’s wager is
returned. If the dealer wins both sets then the
player loses his wager.
A unique feature of pai gow poker is that players
can take on the banker’s position in turn. There
are two advantages of being the banker. While
comparing sets ties go to the banker. Also if a
player is the banker the house commission is
charged on net winnings and not on gross winnings
when the house id the banker. However certain
conditions need to be fulfilled before a player
can become a banker. The player must have played
in a previous deal when the house was the banker.
The more important condition is that the player
must have sufficient chips on the table to pay the
maximum stake of the casino to each player. This
is to cover the possibility that all players place
maximum bets and win.
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