Best Pai Gow Online Casinos in Russia

Rules

Pai Gow is a game of strategy, quick decision-making, and luck. The game begins with each player receiving seven cards which they will divide into two separate hands; a five card and a two card hand. After deciding how to divide their cards, comparing these hands to the banker begins. The banker rarely has an advantage, since the five card hand traditionally wins unless certain combinations come into play. The five-card hand will hold five cards, while the two-card hand will hold the remaining two cards.

The objective for players is to create the highest two hands they can, so that they win both hands, press one and lose the other, or lose both. In order to win, players must create a higher total value that the banker without exceeding 21. If the player exceeds 21, they are immediately eliminated from the game.

Pai Gow is a popular game among Russia’s casinos and remains one of the most delightful strategies. The house advantage is always less than one percent, so even the most experienced players can take home a considerable amount of winnings.

Strategies

Players in Pai Gow will need to balance the strengths of the two hands in order to make the best decision. The five card hand will typically be higher, but if your opponents have similar hands then the two card hand will become the key to your success.

Begin by determining how your two card hand will affect your overall standing in the game. If you can create a high two card hand then a player must rely more heavily on their five card hand when making decisions. If the two card hand is not strong and would not be improved by breaking it apart, then the five card hand should take precedence and players should have a lower valued two card hand. If a player can develop both hands to balance each other, it gives the best chances of winning.

Next, look for action cards. These are cards with the absolute highest value, which will apply to both sets of hands. Learning to recognize action cards quickly and play to their strengths will help increase your chances of winning.

Banker System

Pai Gow is sometimes played in Russia as a banker game, meaning players compete against a banker who holds the advantage. The house will normally designate a professional as the banker, where they are responsible for recouping losses through a special commission.

When playing with a banker in Pai Gow, it is important to remember that the banker is in charge. They make all decisions and also decide banker selections. To be eligible to become a banker, a player must have both the capital available to cover bets and also the experience to make sound decisions. Beginners can still play as regular players, but should remember the banker can also decide who is in, who is out, and who will remain in the game.

Conclusion

Pai Gow is a popular game of luck and skill that has been around Russian gambling circles since the late 1980s. It is the perfect game for beginner players to learn the basics of strategy before heading to other games, such as poker. Players must quickly learn to balance their two card and five card hands for the best chance at winning against the banker. While luck plays a large part of the game, it's important to recognize action cards and use sound strategies when betting against other players in order to win.