Pai Gow Tips

There are several ways to lower the house edge in Pai Gow poker. Novice players hurt their odds when they don't understand the basics. But if you remember the following tips when you step up to a Pai Gow table, you'll have a little more success and probably enjoy your experience more.

In Pai Gow Poker, the key to implementing a strong and successful strategy is in setting the hand.  Unlike other in-depth strategies that are mathematically based, what is commonly called the short strategy is essentially a guideline on what cards are put in the two-card hand and which cards are set for the five-card hand.The first rule to remember - which should always be the case - is to set the two-card hand as high as possible without taking away from the five-card hand's value.  When doing so, remember that your five-card hand must be a higher rank than your two-card hand.  If you set your hands the other way around, your bet will be forfeited.  Also remember that your first priority is to beat both of the banker's hands.  If only one of the hand's wins, the bet is pushed and no money is exchanged. A good way to know whether your hand has good potential or not is to validate the break-even point.  For the two-card hand, the break-even point is an Ace/8. For the five-card hand, it is Jack/Jack.  If you are holding at least these two hands, your chances of winning both hands, and consequently the round, is greater than 50/50.  Keeping this in mind, always set the the following potential hands in the corresponding manner:

Tip #1 --------- Holding a High Cards
If you are holding no better than a high-card, form the two-card hand into the 2nd and 3rd highest value cards.

Tip #2 --------- Holding a One-Pair
If you are holding no better than a one-pair, form the two-card hand into the two highest value cards other than the pair.

Tip #3 --------- Holding a Two-Pair
If you are holding a two-pair, you should always split the cards so that the higher of the pairs is in the five-card hand.  If there is an Ace in the hand, split the pairs if they are Jack/Jack/7/7 or greater.  Otherwise, keep the two-pair in the five-card hand and set the Ace with the next highest card for the two-card hand.

Tip #4 --------- Holding a Three of a Kind
If you are holding a three-of-a-kind, always keep it in the five-card hand and set the two-card hand with the next two highest cards.  The only exception is for an Ace/Ace/Ace, which should be split into a pair of aces for the five-card hand, and the Ace and next highest card for the small hand.

Tip #5 --------- Holding a Straight
For Straights, always set the lowest series of cards in the five-card hand.  For instance, a 4,6,7,8,9,10,Jack should be set as a 6,7,8,9,10 and a 4/Jack.

Tip #6 --------- Holding a Flush
For Flushes, like Straights, always set the lowest series of flush cards in the five-card hand.  The only time you should break up the Flush is if the two-card hand will not hit the break-even point as explained earlier.