Pai Gow Poker is a poker game of Asian origin with rules similar to regular poker. The player is dealt seven cards with the object being to make the best five-card and best two-card hands. Pai Gow Poker follows the normal poker hand rankings. All players compete with the dealer and must have a higher hand ranking with both hands in order to win.

The Skill Factor

With Pai Gow Poker being one of the few games available online where the player makes a decision rather than a bet, the popularity has significantly increased. The key to winning is balancing the two hands to give the player the maximum chance of a victory. For this reason, many online casinos have added this game to their repertoire. With so many gaming sites offering Pai Gow Poker it can be difficult to decide which is best.

The Evaluation Period

Many players only register at one casino and stick to that. They usually stay because of promotional items and bonuses. This puts them at a great disadvantage and results in lost money over time. Most players like to register at multiple casinos to evaluate different games and play with different types of patrons.

What To Look For

All Pai Gow Poker games are the same; the rules and payouts don’t change. However, there are two primary subtle differences, the house way, and the commission. The house way allows the player to split their hand into two. The advantage is an optimum splitting of the cards; the disadvantage is that it eliminates the skill aspect from gameplay. This is optional and should be used by first splitting the cards in your head, then taking action.

The second requirement relates to the commission taken by the house, which is generally 5 percent. For instance, if you win $1, the casino pays out $0.95. Some online casinos implement a minimum commission. For example, If you win $1 and the commission minimum is $0.25, the casino only pays out $0.75. Therefore, you’re winning less with those requiring a commission minimum.

Pai Gow Poker can be exciting and requires skill to master. Part of that is the ability to select the proper casino that maximizes your skills and winnings. This is accomplished by finding those casinos that offer the house way rule and do not have a commission minimum requirement. Finding a casino offering these two tips will help you maximize your earnings.