Even if you’re just getting into poker for the first time, you’ll likely already know that there are more than a few different types. You’ll probably find a variety of different twists on the came across the best NJ online casinos.
One of the most intriguing types of poker picking up in popularity right now is Pai Gow. Pai Gow is a style of poker that is likely to be more straightforward than many popular variations such as Texas Hold’em. But what are the main differences between Pai Gow and the general game?
Pai Gow basics
So, let’s consider the absolute basics of Pai Gow. It’s a twist on poker that has only been around since the 1980s. However, it’s likely to be one of the most common twists on the game you’ll find at online and offline casinos alike.
The basics are as follows. The aim of the game is for you to make two hands. You’ll have one of five cards, and another consisting of two. As in the main game, you’re going to need winning combinations to break ahead.
How do you win?
In Pai Gow poker, you win by striking a better pair of hands than your dealer so that if both of your hands are superior, you win your bet.
However, you can also secure a ‘push’ if only one of your hands is superior. If neither beat the dealer, you lose.
That helps to keep things nice and simple, and in fact, many poker newbies regard Pai Gow as a great introduction into the game.
Betting
Of course, before you play the game, you’re going to need to know how to bet effectively. In this form of poker, you’re going to need to make your bet before the game begins. That means that the money you put down at the start covers the whole of your hand for the game.
However, you can make a bonus bet along the way if you wish,but that bet is only ever going to convert if you make a three of a kind or better. This is known as a premium hand at most casinos.
How many play Pai Gow?
While it’s safe to say that Pai Gow has some similarities with one-on-one games such as blackjack, this poker variation is similar to the traditional game in that it mainly takes place with several people at the table at once.
Generally, you will find that there are usually six players at a table, as well as a dealer. You’ll receive seven cards each, and if there are any left from the main deck of 53 (including the Joker), they will go into the muck pile.
Want to know more?
Pai Gow is a great variation on poker, which does help to simplify the main game while allowing people to still make money along the way.
This is just a quick introduction to the game, meaning that if you would like to learn more, there will be plenty of chances for you to get into the game online. Why not take a break from the traditional form of poker and give Pai Gow a try?
