The House Way at the Flamingo Hilton for Pai Gow Poker

Introduction

The "front" refers to the two card hand and the "back" refers to the five card hand.

• No pair: Place the second and third highest cards in the front.
• One pair: Place the pair in back and the two highest singletons in the front.
• Two pair: Split the two pair except for the following three situations
  • Both pairs are 6's or less.
  • Both pairs are 10's or less plus ace singleton.
  • One pair of face cards, one pair of 5's or less, and an ace singleton.
• Three pair: Play highest pair in front.
• Three of a kind: Play three of a kind in back except break up three aces.
• Three of a kind twice: Play higher pair in front.
• Straights and flushes: Always play straight or flush in the high hand except play as a two pair if one of the following:
  • Aces and any other pair.
  • Both pairs 10's or over.
  • Both pairs 10's or under with an ace singleton.
  With a six or seven card straight or flush put the highest hand possible in front while maintaining the straight or flush in back. If hand contains both a straight and a flush play put the hand in back with the highest hand in front, as long as the front hand is a king or better. Otherwise play flush in back.
• Full house: Split except with pair of 2's and an ace/king can be played in front.
• Full house with three of a kind and two pairs: Play the highest pair in front.
• Four of a kind: Play according to the rank of the four of a kind:
  • 2 through 6: Always keep together.
  • 7 through 10: Split unless an ace and a face card or better can be played in front.
  • Jack through king: Split unless hand also contains a pair of 10's or higher.
  • Aces: Split unless a pair of 7's or higher can be played in front.
• Straight Flush: Play the straight flush in back except play as a two pair with:
  • Aces and any other pair.
  • Both pairs tens or higher.
  • Both pairs tens or less and an ace singleton.
  Play a straight or flush instead if an ace and a face card or a pair can be played in front.
• Royal Flush: Play the royal flush in back except play as a two pair with:
  • Aces and any other pair.
  • Both pairs tens or higher.
  Break up royal flush if a straight or flush can be played in back and a king or better in front.
• Five aces: Split unless pair of kings can be played in front.

 

 

Written by: Michael Shackleford