Pai Gow is a great intro to poker gambling

The internet and personal computers and tablets have had a profound effect on all forms of gambling, particularly casino gambling. Many would say that sports gambling online has not dramatically changed the sporting events we prefer to gamble on, but when it comes to casino gambling the online casinos have certainly influenced the casino games we play. There are now so many different gambling games available online, most of which were not previously available anywhere that no one could possibly doubt that the games we play have changed. Yes we can still play roulette and blackjack online, but we can also try our hand at craps, baccarat and backgammon all of which we are unlikely to have had the opportunity to play before online casino gambling became available. The biggest winner is of course poker, and although the Texas Hold’em format has become a clear favourite for serious online poker players that is not the only choice we have. For those of us new to gambling on poker Texas Hold’em can be an expensive way to learn, so why not try one of the alternative poker formats such as Pai Gow. Pai Gow gambling is a form of poker played against the house for fixed odds, and enables Pai Gow players to decide their own stakes without risking an ever increasing commitment which could lead to them exceeding their budget. Each player is dealt seven cards from a standard 52 card pack plus one joker, from which they must form two poker hands, one of five cards and the other of the two remaining cards. The five card hand must outrank the two card hand and the player must win both hands to take the pot. Please note that the joker can only be used to complete a straight or a flush in the five card hand, or act as an ace in either hand so it is not a universal wild card. New Pai Gow players should also be aware that the dealer or the house can win if they hold the best five card hand and tie the two card hand. Pai Gow gambling is great fun and a good intro to the game of poker.