Pai Gow poker is a popular casino game that combines the excitement of poker with the strategy of Chinese poker. The game was invented by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in Los Angeles, in 1985. Since then, it has become a staple in casinos around the world.
How to Play
Pai Gow poker is played with a standard deck of 52 cards, without jokers. Each player places an ante bet and receives seven cards. The objective is to create two hands: a five-card hand (the high hand) and a two-card hand (the low hand). The high hand must be higher than the low hand.
Players can choose to bank, which allows them to act as the dealer and set their own hand according to specific rules. Banking gives players an opportunity to win more money, but it also carries a risk of losing.
Variations
There are several variations of Pai Gow poker that are popular in casinos today. One variation is called Fortune Pai Gow, which allows players to make a side bet on a poker hand ranking of three-of-a-kind or better. Another variation is Emperors Challenge, which allows a side bet on a seven-card Pai Gow (no hand).
Shuffle Master introduced a variation in 2006, adding a progressive jackpot side bet named Progressive Fortune Pai Gow. This game offers players the chance to win part or all of the jackpot by placing a side bet and landing one of the hands specified on the payout table.
Face-Up Variants
A popular new variant that has spread from Las Vegas since the 2010s is "Face-Up" Pai Gow poker. In this version, the dealer sets their hand without concealing it to players and before players set their hand. This variant does not collect commissions, making it faster-paced and more player-friendly.
Advantage Play
In Pai Gow poker, a player may be able to gain an advantage in certain circumstances by banking as often as possible, taking advantage of unskilled players while banking, and dealer errors when not banking.
History
Sam Torosian invented the game of Pai Gow Poker after being told about the game Pusoy by an elderly Filipino customer. He simplified the 13-card game into a two-hand version with only seven cards to make it faster and easier for players to learn. The game quickly became popular and spread worldwide.
Patent
Torosian famously failed to patent the game he invented after being given bad advice by noted poker author Mike Caro and an attorney he consulted, both of whom told him that the game was not patentable., Pai Gow Poker is a game that combines skill and strategy with excitement and social interaction. With various variations and a rich history, it has become a staple in casinos around the world.