The History of Pai Gow and Its Different Variations

Pai Gow poker has been around for decades, making it a great option for those wanting to take their gaming time slowly. You’ll find this casino game in both online and physical casinos alike.

Sam Torosian invented Pai Gow Poker in 1985, adapting an ancient Chinese domino-based game. Realizing American casino goers weren’t particularly fond of dominoes, Torosian created a version with seven cards divided into two poker hands: five cards for high hand and two cards for low.

Origins

Pai gow is an ancient Chinese gambling game with two suits (military and civilian). It’s played using 32 domino-style tiles colored red.

The tiles are divided into two sets: a player’s high hand and the banker’s low hand. These hands are then compared against one another to decide which hand wins.

Sam Torosian, owner of Bell Card Club in Las Vegas, invented this game in 1985 as a way to attract more Asian players and it quickly gained traction.

Torosian’s biggest error was not obtaining a patent for the game, meaning he never made a penny from it. Instead, other casinos and card rooms adopted it and made money off it.

Rules

Pai Gow poker, also referred to as double hand poker, is a card-based variant of poker that uses cards instead of Chinese dominoes. Unlike most poker variants, players don’t compete against one another but instead the house dealer – known as the “banker.”

Playing Pai Gow may appear complex at first glance, but its core concept is straightforward. Your objective is to construct two hands – one five-card high hand and one two-card low one – that rank higher than those of the banker.

Players are dealt seven cards from a standard deck of 52 cards plus one joker for a total of 53 cards. They then arrange the cards according to their “house way.”

Variations

Pai Gow is one of the most beloved games at online casinos and live casino tables. Many renowned gaming developers have created variations of this classic card game, offering players different methods to play and win.

These variations are primarily based on side bets that increase your potential winnings without detracting from your main bet. Popular options include Emperor’s Challenge and Progressive Fortune Pai Gow Poker.

Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in 1985, pioneered Pai Gow Poker – an adaptation of China’s traditional domino-based game to make it into a poker game.

Bets

Pai Gow Poker is an innovative poker-like game created in 1985 by Sam Torosian of Bell Card Club as a way to attract more Asian customers to his casino.

Playing this game, each player is dealt a seven-card hand that splits into two hands of five and two cards. The back hand follows the standard poker hand ranking format and can include either two pairs or high cards; while the front hand only contains one joker.

The goal of the game is for players to beat the banker’s hand and receive a one-to-one payout if they do.

Strategy

Pai Gow poker is one of the few casino games that can be strategically played, since its success does not solely depend on luck. This makes it a unique option for those seeking an edge over their competition.

This card game is played with a standard deck of 52 cards plus one joker that acts as a wild card. The goal is to make a 5-card hand that beats the dealer’s two matching hands.

In some versions of Pai Gow, players can act as the banker. This gives them an edge over other players at the table and reduces the house edge.

To maximize your chances of beating the house at Pai Gow poker, it is essential to understand how to set your hand correctly. Utilizing an effective strategy will significantly boost your winning chances.

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