Pai Gow is a game of luck and skill that has existed in Asia since the 19th century. Players compete by placing their bets against the house dealer, attempting to create two separate winning hands. Pai Gow can be an extremely rewarding and exciting game to play, if the right strategies are applied.

Firstly, it is important to understand the game before attempting to learn any specific strategies for Pai Gow. Pai Gow involves splitting seven cards into two hands. One hand consists of five cards, referred to as the “high hand” and the other consists of two cards, known as the “low hand”. Each hand is ranked in relation to standard poker combinations. A Royal Flush, for example, is the highest possible hand and is ranked higher than any other combination. In addition, players should be familiar with the ranking of hands, including straight flushes and flushes, as these are the common combinations that are found in Pai Gow.

Once familiar with the basics of Pai Gow, players should research any strategies available to them. There are some basic strategies that can help improve the chances of winning, such as splitting two pairs into two separate hands and never going for a full house. It is also better to go for a flush than a straight, and try to split four of a kind into two separate hands instead of going for a straight flush. By following these basic strategies, players can improve their chances of winning.

In hand selection, players should always aim to use their higher ranked cards to make the high hand and the lower cards to create the low hand. This is beneficial because the high hand should be higher than the low hand. This ensures that even if the low hand loses, the high hand can still be a winner. It is important to bear in mind, however, that there are certain hands that should always be split into two separate hands, such as three-of-a-kind, four-of-a-kind, two pairs, and a pair. Player’s should also be aware of the “no-split” rule, which states that if the five card high hand contains two pairs or better, the two pairs must be kept together and cannot be separated.

Next, players should analyze the house edge. House edge is the advantage that a casino has over a player. It is important to know that every casino game has a house edge, and Pai Gow is no exception. By understanding the house edge and being aware of how it works, players can take measures to minimize how much of an advantage the house has over them.

Players should also pay attention to table rules. Pai Gow is typically played with two decks containing 328 cards, but this can vary depending on the table rules. It is important to read the table rules before starting a game of Pai Gow, so that the player has an understanding of what to expect and can properly adjust their strategy to the rules.

Another strategy for Pai Gow is to always play for the tie. When playing for the tie, players must make a “Fortune Bonus” wager. This wager can be made along with the regular wager, and is usually based on a multiple of the regular amount. When players play for the tie, their winning amount is multiplied by 7, making for a much higher payout if the player wins.

It is also important to remember that Pai Gow is a slow game. Players should not get impatient, as this can lead to bad decisions. Players should take their time, calculate the odds and think through their decisions before making a move. This will help them make more informed decisions, and boost their chances of success.

Finally, players should remember to have fun. No matter how skillful they become, there will still be elements of luck involved. By trying to stay relaxed and enjoy the game, players will be more likely to make better decisions and enjoy their game of Pai Gow.