Optimal Pai Gow Strategy (Part 2)
Here is the second installment of Fortune Palace’s Optimal Pai Gow strategy. With this post, hopefully you will be able to complete and apply this optimal strategy for winning at pai gow poker.
2 pair:
Always split, unless:
1. Two pairs of 6s or below - don’t split.
2. The hand contains an ace - play the ace behind.3 pair:
Always play the highest pair in front.3 of a kind:
1. If three Aces, play a pair of Aces behind and Ace high in front.
2. Otherwise, play the three of a kind behind and the remaining high cards in front.Straight, flush, straight flush:
Set the back as whichever hand gives the better front.Full house:
Set the three of a kind behind and the pair in front.2 sets of 3-of-a-kind:
Split the higher set into a pair and a single - play the pair in front and play the smaller 3-of-a-kind behind. For example, with K,K,K,10,10,10,5 you should play K,K and 10,10,10,K,5.Four of a kind:
1. If 2 to 6, play it behind.
2. If 7 to 10, split into pairs, unless a pair or an ace and a face card can be played in front.
3. If J to K, split into pairs, unless the hand also contains a pair of 10s or higher.
4. If Aces, split into pairs, unless a pair of 4s or higher can be played in front.Royal flush:
1. Play behind.
2. If Royal flush with two pair, split as per two pair rule.
3. Split, if an A, K or a pair can be played in front and a straight or flush behind.Five Aces:
1. Split, unless a pair of Ks can be played in front.