How to Play Pai Gow Poker in Vegas

Pai Gow Poker is a casino card game that is played with a standard 52-card deck plus one joker. The object of the game is to form two hands, one containing five cards and the other containing two, that beat the dealer’s hand. If the player wins both hands, they win their wager. If the player loses both hands, they forfeit their wager. The dealer acts as the banker in the game.

When playing the game, players must place a bet that includes any side bets they wish to make. The dealer then deals seven cards to each player, face down. The cards are then divided into two separate poker hands, the high hand and the low hand. If the player’s high hand ranks higher than the banker’s high hand, they win their bet. If the player’s low hand ranks lower than the banker’s low hand, they forfeit their bet.

The rules of how to play pai gow poker vary from one casino to the next, but there are some basic principles that apply across the board. First, always make sure you’re paying attention to the table layout. This will help you understand the rules and strategies of the game better. In addition, be sure to manage your bankroll carefully so you don’t run out of money before you’re finished playing.

It’s also important to know that you can still win if your high hand is weaker than the banker’s high hand, but it must be a higher hand than the banker’s second highest hand. Similarly, you can still win your bet if you have a strong low hand, but it must rank higher than the banker’s second lowest hand.

If you’re interested in trying out the game, there are a number of online casinos that offer it. In addition, many brick-and-mortar casinos have started to add this popular game to their offerings. Some even have dedicated pai gow poker rooms.

While the popularity of the game has increased, some casinos are implementing a different version of the game known as Face Up Pai Gow. This new variation allows players to see the dealer’s cards before they are set, which can speed up the game. In addition, it can help cut down on dealers’ commissions and improve the speed at which hands are paid out.

The rules of the game are fairly simple. After the player makes their bet, the dealer will deal seven cards to each of them. These cards are split into a five-card low and a two-card high hand, which must be higher than the banker’s two-card hand. The game uses standard poker hand ranking procedures to determine the value of each hand, and the joker can be used as an ace if it cannot be used for any other purpose.