Former casino boss Sam Torosian created the poker game Pai Gow that changed the course of California Former casino boss Sam Torosian created the poker game Pai Gow that changed the course of California gaming and swept the world. But he did not have a patent on the game. FREE Background Report. Check Reputation Score for Sam Torosian in South Pasadena, CA - View Criminal & Court Records Photos Address, Email & Phone Number Personal Review $90 - $99,999 Income & Net Worth. Pai Gow Poker was invented in 1985 by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell card club in southern California. However, his is a name few people recognize. While other have made millions inventing casino games, Sam received some bad legal advice that card games were not patentable, and never filed one for his game.
Pai Gow Poker Introduction
Pai Gow Poker was invented in 1985 by a man named Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in southern California. Like so many foreign concepts that the US has adopted and messed with, Pai Gow Poker is an Americanized version of the Chinese dominoes game known as pai gow, with each card given a numerical value and arranged into classic poker hands.
Big dollar no deposit bonus. Pai Gow Poker is known for its slow rate of play and relatively low level of risk. Like Online Blackjack, every player plays against the same dealer hand instead of one another, so the game is often social with an “us versus him” mentality that gives everyone a common enemy and makes players feel chummy toward their fellow gamblers.
Sam Torosian
If you’re already a fan of classic poker and are looking for a twist on the old favorite, Pai Gow Poker could very well be your new go-to game. Read on to find out if this game is for you, how to play, and the Pai Gow pro strategy needed to maximize your winnings.
Pai Gow Poker Rules
There are usually six players and one dealer in a Pai Gow Poker game. The dealer gives each player and himself seven cards from one regular deck with an added joker. The four remaining cards are discarded.
It’s a player’s job to combine his cards into two poker hands that will beat the dealer’s. The first hand is known as the “back hand” or “big hand”, and is a standard five-card poker hand. The second hand is called the “front hand” or “small hand” and consists of only two cards. The five-card hand must always out-rank the two-card hand. Once all the cards are dealt and the hands are set, players compare their individual hands to the dealer’s and the wagers are settled.
If both of your hands are better than both of the dealer’s, you’re paid even money with a 5 percent commission withheld. If only one of your hands beats the dealer’s, your bet is pushed. If both of your hands are worse, you obviously lose your bet. Ties go to the “banker”, which is a position that rotates around the table among the players or switches from dealer to player to dealer to the next player, etc. The player can decline to bank, in which case the option will be passed to the next player or to the dealer.
The joker can be used to substitute for any card to complete a straight or any suit to complete a flush. If it can’t be used for either of those, the joker functions as an ace instead. In the two-card hand, a joker is always an ace.
The ranking for the hands is the same as classic poker with one exception – the A2345 straight, also known as “the wheel”, is the second highest straight in Pai Gow Poker. Some casinos have dropped the rule, but many still follow it. The two-card hand is either a pair or not, after which the value is gleaned from the individual cards.
The Right Strategy to Win
Pai Gow Poker is considered a relatively low risk casino game. Because players are attempting to beat the dealer with two hands in one round instead of just one, there’s a greater chance for one of the player’s hands to beat the dealer’s. And when this happens, as we know, the player’s bet is pushed. So players may find themselves breaking even more often than losing, which isn’t a great thing but certainly isn’t a bad thing either.
This affects the strategy for Pai Gow Poker as well. Because you don’t lose your wager if only one of your hands beat the dealer’s, the common rule is to divide your hand in a way that gives you the best two-card hand without going above the five-card hand. This gives you a greater chance for beating the dealer with both the front hand and the back hand, versus throwing your two weakest cards in the two-card hand in hopes of making your five-card hand stronger.
The exception to this rule comes when a player has the ability to make a very strong five-card hand. If you’re able to make a straight or better, then you’re almost guaranteed to beat the dealer. This gives you the opportunity to put the other cards in the front hand while knowing that your back hand is almost sure to win.
When you’re trying to divide hands with no pairs, the common method is to leave the highest card in the back hand and bring the next two largest cards into the front hand. This makes your front hand as strong as possible without outranking your back hand, giving you a better chance of beating the dealer on both hands.
The best strategy to maximize your winnings in Pai Gow Poker is to memorize the poker hand rankings. When you’re playing online, the computer automatically prevents you from making your two-card hand higher than your five-card hand and lets you know when you’ve won or lost each hand. The dealer and other players might help you out at the table, but if you’re playing at a brick-and-mortar casino, make sure you’re comfortable with the poker hand hierarchy.
The second-best strategy is to practice playing. Hey, you’ve gotta walk before you can run, right? At least, you have to if you don’t want to seriously hurt yourself. On Slots of Vegas, you can play Pai Gow Poker instantly without putting down any money on the virtual table. Once you’ve become a Pai Gow pro, you can start playing the exact same game for real money. Head over to Slots of Vegas online casino and start raking in the chips today!
Sam Torosian, the owner of the Bell Card Club in Los Angeles, invented Pai Gow Poker in 1985. Despite having a name similar to the Chinese domino game, the concept of Pai Gow Poker was acquired by its inventor from a Filipino card game called “Pusoy.” Thus, it is important to remember that Pai Gow Poker and the classic Chinese Poker game (except for the name) are not related.
Pai Gow Poker is a simplified version of “Pusoy”. This card game is designed for fast-play. Evidently, by the reduction of the number of cards from 13 to 7 for each player. In addition, the number of hands has also been reduced from 3 to 2. These alterations made Pai Gow Poker one of the easiest and fastest card games in casinos.
With that said, Pai Gow Poker quickly evolved to become a popular Vegas casino game in the 80s. Which, over time, has spread to the rest of the world. Today, Pai Gow Poker is still one of the most popular games in casinos worldwide. Nevertheless, if you want to learn or have a hands-on experience with the game without going to the casino, then, Pai Gow Poker online is the perfect game for you. Learn the basic rules of the game along with other features and tips in the game overview below.
Pai Gow Poker How To Play
Unlike most casino games, Donutman Software’s Pai Gow Poker does not have extra features. This means that players can jump into action instantly with just a click of a button. Moreover, the modesty of the game’s design allows the player to focus on the main game itself, which is best for novice players.
High Definition Graphics
Pai Gow Poker online may not have the glitz and glam of other casino games but it does not mean that the game has poor quality. In fact, Pai Gow Poker comes with a high definition graphics engine that results in a seamless gameplay experience. Right off the bat, a full table setup will unfold that comes complete with all the necessary details. It includes the total money, total bet, and bonus bet. In addition, there are two buttons for changing bets and the start button, which in this case is the “deal” button.
Moreover, situated on the upper right-hand corner is the main menu, which houses the player’s statistics and the bonus paytable. Plus, also the detailed instruction on how-to-play manual, and the main options menu. To sum up everything, Donutman Software’s Pai Gow Poker is a modest and highly immersive minimalist version of the iconic card game.
Winning Tips
Pai Gow Poker online may be easy to learn, but it is definitely quite challenging to master. Like most casino games, beating the banker or the house requires a strategic approach and focus. With that said, check out some of the tips from some of the best Pai Gow Poker players and experts around the world.
When in Rome…
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. It is the perfect saying that describes the first strategy. For those, however, who are not familiar with the quote, it simply states the importance of adapting thyself to the customs and behavior of the populace. In the case of Pai Gow Poker, it is important to observe strategies of the dealer and adapt it as your own. In other words, always think like the dealer in handling your cards.
Splitting the Two Pairs
Another strategy is to know when to split your two-pairs. Having the basic knowledge on when to separate this hand will give you a much-needed edge in the game. With that said, here are some instances where you must not split your two pairs;
1. When your hand includes a pair of seven (or greater) and does not have an Ace.
2. When your hand includes a pair of jacks (or better) and six or pairs that are better than an ace.
3. A pair of Aces along with any pair of cards is included in your deck.
Other than that, it is important to spit your two pairs with the highest-ranking card on the back and the lower ranking card upfront.
Sam Torosian
The Power of Three
Knowing how to handle your three-of-a-kind is also important in Pai Gow Poker. It is important to take note that you must always keep all three cards together. Unless, you need to deal with the three aces, to which it is advisable that you should put two aces at the back and one at the front.
In some cases, players receive two three-of-a-kind in a single round. When this happens, it is highly recommended to play the lowest three-of-a-kind in the five-card slots. The higher three-of-a-kind, on the other hand, requires splitting to play a pair in the front hand and the other on the backhand.
Pai Gow Poker is a fast-paced game that is easy to learn and challenging to master. For the most part, the game requires a little bit of luck paired with a solid strategic approach. Check out the game today by simply clicking on the “Play Now” button on your screen.
Game Features
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