How To Play Face Up Pai Gow Poker

James Lopez

Poker

September 7, 2023

105 Views

Read Time:12 Minute, 19 Second

Introduction

How To Play Face Up Pai Gow Poker: Face Up Pai Gow Poker is an exciting variation of the traditional Pai Gow Poker game, offering players a unique and captivating card-playing experience. Developed to add a twist to the classic game, it has gained popularity in casinos worldwide due to its engaging gameplay and strategic depth.

In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, the objective remains the same: to form two poker hands, a high and a low hand, using seven cards dealt to you. However, the major distinction is that all seven cards are dealt face up, eliminating the element of hidden information and enhancing the strategy involved in making decisions.

This transparency adds a thrilling dimension to the game, as players can see each other’s hands, leading to more competitive and intense gameplay. With the element of bluffing largely removed, success in Face Up Pai Gow Poker depends on your ability to analyze visible information, make sound decisions, and create the best possible hands.

This guide will walk you through the rules, strategies, and tips for playing Face Up Pai Gow Poker, making it easy for beginners to get started and providing valuable insights for experienced players looking to refine their skills. Whether you’re a seasoned poker player or new to the world of card games, Face Up Pai Gow Poker offers a fresh and exciting twist on a classic, promising hours of entertainment and strategic thinking.

How do you win at face up Pai Gow Poker?

Face Up Pai Gow Poker Wager Wins if: Both the player’s High hand and the Low hand are ranked higher than the dealer’s High and Low hand, the player wins the bet . Face Up Pai Gow Poker Wager Loses if: Both the dealer’s High hand and Low hand are higher than the player’s.

To win at Face Up Pai Gow Poker, a popular casino card game, you need a combination of strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. Here are some key tips to help you increase your chances of winning:

Understand the Rules: Start by thoroughly understanding the rules of the game. In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, you’re playing against the dealer, and the goal is to create two poker hands, one with five cards and another with two cards, that both beat the dealer’s hands.

Optimal Hand Arrangement: Arrange your cards strategically. Place your two-card hand in a way that ensures it’s stronger than the dealer’s, while your five-card hand should be the best possible poker hand.

Banker Option: Consider taking the banker option if it’s available. Being the banker can give you a slight edge as you’ll win ties, but it also comes with added responsibility.

Use the House Way: If you’re unsure about how to set your hands, casinos offer a “House Way” option.

Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget and stick to it. Pai Gow Poker can be a slow-paced game, so managing your bankroll is crucial for long-term success.

What is the difference between Pai Gow and face up Pai Gow?

Face Up Pai Gow Poker is dealt the same way as regular Pai Gow, each player and dealer receive seven cards, but in Face Up Pai Gow Poker the dealer’s card are exposed first. To begin each round, players make a standard Pai Gow wager in increments of $5 and may also make the Fortune Bonus and Ace-High wagers.

In traditional Pai Gow, players are dealt seven cards, and they must create two hands, a five-card hand and a two-card hand, following specific rules. The objective is to beat the dealer’s two hands. However, in Pai Gow, the player’s hand is not revealed until the end of the round, adding an element of mystery and suspense to the game.

On the other hand, Face Up Pai Gow, as the name suggests, involves both the player’s and the dealer’s hands being dealt face up. This transparency gives players valuable information about the dealer’s hand, allowing for more strategic decisions when splitting their own cards.

The primary difference between Pai Gow and Face Up Pai Gow is the visibility of hands. Traditional Pai Gow keeps the player’s hand hidden until the end, while Face Up Pai Gow reveals both the player’s and dealer’s hands upfront, making it a more transparent and strategic variation of the game.

What is face up in poker?

Many poker games will use Face Up cards. These cards are dealt out so everyone can see them. For instance, in Hold Em, all of the community cards are dealt face up, and all players are allowed to use them to make their best poker hand.

In the world of poker, “face up” refers to cards that are intentionally exposed or revealed to all players at the table. This practice is most commonly associated with certain variants of the game, such as Texas Hold’em and Omaha, and is often used in specific situations during a hand.

When cards are dealt face up, it means that everyone at the table can see these cards, and they are typically placed in the center of the table for all to view. The most common instances of face-up cards in poker are the community cards, which are shared by all players and used in combination with their hole cards to form the best possible hand.

In Texas Hold’em, for example, the dealer will place a series of community cards face up on the “board” during the course of the hand. Players then use these community cards in conjunction with their own hidden hole cards to make the best poker hand possible.

What are the side bets in face up Pai Gow Poker?

Face Up Pai Gow Poker features head-to-head play against the dealer and offers two optional side wagers, Fortune BonusSM and Ace-High. As in standard Pai Gow, each player and dealer receive seven-cards, but in Face Up Pai Gow Poker the dealer’s cards are dealt face-up.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker is a popular variation of the traditional Pai Gow Poker game. In this version, players are dealt their seven cards face up, which adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the game. While the core gameplay remains similar to standard Pai Gow Poker, there are some unique side bets that players can choose to participate in:

Dragon Hand: This side bet allows players to place an additional wager on their ability to create a strong hand with their seven face-up cards. If the Dragon Hand ranks as a winning hand, the player wins the bet.

Pai Gow Insurance: Players can bet on the possibility of getting a Pai Gow (a hand with no pairs or better) in their seven cards. If successful, this side bet pays out according to the casino’s payout schedule.

High Hand: Some casinos offer a side bet based on the highest-ranking five-card hand among the player’s seven cards. If the player’s highest hand meets the criteria, they win the bet.

Bonus Payouts: Depending on the casino, there may be additional side bets with various names and rules, offering payouts for specific card combinations or scenarios.

Who invented face up Pai Gow?

Sam Torosian

But in 1985, Pai Gow Poker was created by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in California.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker, also known as Fortune Pai Gow Poker, was created by Roger Snow, a casino game designer who worked for Shuffle Master (now part of Scientific Games Corporation). Roger Snow is renowned in the gaming industry for his innovative contributions to casino table games.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker was introduced to casinos as a variation of the traditional Pai Gow Poker game. The key distinction in this variant is that all seven cards for both the player and the dealer are dealt face up, adding an element of strategy and excitement to the game. This openness allows players to make decisions based on their knowledge of both their own and the dealer’s cards.

The game quickly gained popularity in the early 2000s and has since become a popular choice among casino-goers. Its unique twist on Pai Gow Poker has made it a favourite for players looking for a fresh and engaging gaming experience.

While Roger Snow is credited with inventing Face Up Pai Gow Poker, it’s essential to acknowledge that game development is often a collaborative effort involving various professionals in the casino industry, including mathematicians, designers, and casino operators who work together to create and refine new games for the enjoyment of players.

What is the best hand in Pai Gow Poker?

Five Aces

Pai Gow Poker is essentially two separate Poker hands arranged according to traditional Poker rankings. Thus, the highest two-card hand is two Aces, and the highest five-card hand is five Aces (four Aces plus the Joker).

In Pai Gow Poker, the best hand a player can achieve is called the “Wheel” or “Five Aces.” This hand consists of the following cards:

Ace of Spades
Ace of Hearts
Ace of Diamonds
Ace of Clubs
Joker

The inclusion of the Joker in this hand makes it the highest-ranking combination in Pai Gow Poker. In this specific context, the Joker can serve as an Ace or be used to complete a straight or a flush. However, it’s important to note that the Joker’s role can vary depending on the player’s strategy and the specific house rules of the casino.

After the Wheel/Five Aces, the next best hands in Pai Gow Poker are the traditional poker hands, such as four-of-a-kind, full house, flush, straight, and so on, following the standard poker hand rankings.

In Pai Gow Poker, players aim to create two separate hands from their seven cards that are better than the dealer’s two hands to win the game. The best two-card hand is typically a pair, and the best five-card hand follows traditional poker rankings.

How is Face Up Pai Gow Poker different from traditional Pai Gow Poker?

In traditional Pai Gow Poker, players’ hands are dealt face down. In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, all hands are dealt face up, making it a more social and interactive game.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker is a captivating variant of the traditional Pai Gow Poker game, offering players a unique and exciting twist. Here are the key differences that set Face Up Pai Gow Poker apart from its traditional counterpart:

Card Exposure: The most significant distinction is that in Face Up Pai Gow Poker, all seven cards for both the player and the dealer are dealt face up. In traditional Pai Gow Poker, only the player’s hand is visible, while the dealer’s hand remains face down.

Strategy: Due to the open card exposure, players in Face Up Pai Gow Poker must adapt their strategy accordingly. They can see the dealer’s hand and use that information to make informed decisions about how to split their own seven cards into a high and low hand.

No Commission: In some casinos, Face Up Pai Gow Poker doesn’t charge a commission on winning hands, unlike traditional Pai Gow Poker, where a 5% commission is typically collected on player winnings.

Push Rules: In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, there are specific rules for handling tied hands (pushes), which can vary from casino to casino. These rules dictate how ties are resolved and whether the player wins, loses, or pushes in such situations.

Face Up Pai Gow Poker adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the game by exposing all cards, providing players with more information to make strategic decisions, and offering a unique variation of this popular casino card game.

How are the cards dealt in Face Up Pai Gow Poker?

Each player receives seven cards, and the dealer also receives seven cards. All cards are dealt face up.

In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, the cards are dealt in a specific manner that distinguishes it from traditional Pai Gow Poker. Here’s how the cards are dealt in Face Up Pai Gow Poker:

Seven Face-Up Cards: Each player and the dealer are dealt seven cards, and all of these cards are dealt face up. This is a fundamental difference from traditional Pai Gow Poker, where only the player’s hand is dealt face up, while the dealer’s hand remains face down.

Arrangement: Once the seven cards are dealt to each player, they must arrange their cards into two separate poker hands: a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The goal is to create two hands that are stronger than the dealer’s two hands.

Player Decision: With all cards visible, players can make strategic decisions about how to split their seven cards into two hands.

Dealer’s Hand: The dealer also arranges their seven cards into a five-card hand and a two-card hand, following specific house rules. The dealer’s hands are typically set according to predetermined casino rules, and they do not have the same flexibility as the player in deciding how to arrange their cards.

By dealing all cards face up, Face Up Pai Gow Poker adds an element of strategy and excitement to the game, as players can base their decisions on complete information, making it a unique and engaging variation of Pai Gow Poker.

Conclusion

Learning how to play Face Up Pai Gow Poker can be an exciting and rewarding experience for casino enthusiasts. This unique variant of the classic Pai Gow Poker adds an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the game, making it a popular choice among players.

To summarise the key points of how to play Face Up Pai Gow Poker, players are dealt seven cards and must create two hands, a five-card hand (High Hand) and a two-card hand (Low Hand), with the goal of beating the dealer’s corresponding hands. The twist in Face Up Pai Gow Poker is that both the player’s and the dealer’s hands are revealed face up, adding an element of transparency to the game.

Players must use their skills to strategize and decide how to split their cards to maximize their chances of winning both hands. Understanding the basic rules, hand rankings, and the optimal splitting strategy is essential for success in this game.

Overall, Face Up Pai Gow Poker offers a thrilling and engaging gambling experience that combines luck and skill. Whether you’re a seasoned poker player or a novice, mastering this game can provide hours of entertainment and potentially lucrative wins at the casino. So, give it a try and enjoy the challenge of Face Up Pai Gow Poker.