Learning the Pai Gow Joker rules is an important step if you want to try this popular casino card game. When used correctly, the Joker can help you create winning hands.
I cover the basics of using the Joker in Pai Gow in the guide below. In addition to explaining the Pai Gow Poker joker rules, I also highlight the best scenarios for using a joker to complete your winning hand.
What Is a Joker in Pai Gow?
The Joker is one of the best cards available in Pai Gow, as it can be used as a wild card to compete straight and flushes for your five-card combo. In any other scenario for both your two-card and five-card hand, the joker in Pai Gow poker serves as an ace.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into the rules around the joker in Pai Gow poker if you still wonder how this card works.
Pai Gow Joker Rules for Combos
As a wild card, the Joker can substitute for any other card to complete a winning hand. However, the Pai Gow Joker can only be used in one of three ways:
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- As any card to complete a straight
- Substitute for any card to complete a flush
- As an Ace
In Pai Gow, you must have a five-card and a two-card hand. In the five-card hand, the Joker can be used to complete a straight or a flush. Otherwise, it will simply be an Ace. In the two-card hand, the Joker will always be counted as an Ace.
Depending on the rules of the casino, the Joker can change your payout for a winning hand. It should be mentioned that the rules around that card are usually the same in land-based and online casinos.
When Is the Pai Gow Joker Simply an Ace?
The Pai Gow Joker is always an Ace if it is not used to complete a straight or a flush.
In your two-card hand, you cannot have a flush or a straight. So, the Joker will also be an Ace if put in your two-card hand.
However, in your five-card hand, the Joker will only be an Ace if you cannot make a straight or a flush. It can only be used with other Aces to make pairs, three-of-a-kind, or four-of-a-kind. On the bright side, this gives you a chance to make the strongest hand in Pai Gow, 5-of-a-kind with Aces.
Ready to Use the Pai Gow Joker?
If you are ready to take advantage of the Pai Gow Joker rules, I recommend checking Bovada casino. It offers free and paid versions of Pai Gow, so you can practice before risking real money.
Bovada also has exciting casino bonuses and a great VIP program. The crypto welcome bonus rewards members with a 125% match on their first three deposits for up to $3,750 in extra funds.
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