| I'll admit it. I like playing Pai Gow, but it | | | | create. This is where strategy plays in and |
| can be lonely. Walk through just about any | | | | we'll go over all of this in other Pai Gow |
| Vegas casino and you'll do some work to spot | | | | articles on this site. Right now, let's just |
| the Pai Gow table(s). This "Americanized" | | | | concentrate on some simple basics and build a |
| version of an ancient Chinese game isn't as | | | | good foundation for enjoying this fun game. |
| popular as it should be. | | | | |
| | | | Quick Play Information |
| Pai Gow is growing among gamblers, but in the | | | | |
| real world of limited floor space, it still | | | | I'm not going to run down play in detail |
| takes a backseat to Craps, Blackjack, | | | | here, but I will in other articles on this |
| Roulette, and even Three-Card Poker. I think | | | | site. Let's go over the general play flow of |
| many players stay away, because the name of | | | | Pai Gow. |
| the game confuses them. Pai Gow just sounds | | | | |
| intimidating, but it isn't. | | | | Pai Gow is played with a regular 52-card |
| | | | deck, like Blackjack can be, but there's one |
| I'll submit to you that learning to play Pai | | | | change. Pai Gow uses one joker card. If |
| Gow is fairly straightforward and simple. If | | | | you've played poker or video poker, you're |
| you learn to play, I'll bet that you'll be | | | | already set, because the winning hands work |
| having a lot of fun with the game right out | | | | pretty much the same way-we'll go over this |
| of the gate. | | | | and the couple of differences in another |
| | | | article. |
| The Pai Gow Table | | | | |
| | | | Even though there are other players in the |
| Pai Gow is played on a table that's similar | | | | game (possibly), everyone is playing against |
| to Blackjack. So, if you play Blackjack, this | | | | the dealer-just like in Blackjack. You're |
| should make it more comfortable for you to | | | | betting that your hands will beat the |
| start. The game has six seats for six players | | | | banker's hands. |
| and the dealer spot, which is at the top of | | | | |
| the table just like Blackjack. | | | | Ah, now here's where we need to pause. I said |
| | | | the banker's hand. Unlike Blackjack, players |
| Each player's spot has three game areas, | | | | can get the opportunity to be the banker. As |
| which are vertically one after the other. The | | | | a player, you can accept or decline when it's |
| first game area is where you put your wagers | | | | your turn to be the bank. But, again, I'll go |
| and this spot is on the top. Next, you have | | | | over this in more detail in another article. |
| two areas for your cards. You see, once you | | | | |
| get your cards, you'll split them into two | | | | Get Excited |
| hands-this is where the magic happens. | | | | |
| | | | I hope you're curiosity is up just a little. |
| The two card areas in Pai Gow are for your | | | | Pai Gow is an exciting game to play and I'll |
| highest hand-bottom game area-and the 2nd | | | | be teaching all the ins and outs on this |
| highest. These are two hands that you'll | | | | site. |