To get the most out of your Pai Gow games online, make sure you understand the lingo. Here are the most commonly used terms in Pai Gow games online and in brick-and-mortar casinos.
Banker: The person that a player bets against in a game of Pai Gow Poker.
Co-banking: The option that some (but definitely not all) casinos give a player who is the banker . This option means that the player is only responsible for half of the action on the table while banker, while the house is responsible for the other half. The best Pai Gow strategy is to be banker as often as possible.
Copies: Common name for a tie. In the case of a copy or tie, the bet goes to the banker.
Dragon Hand: Hand dealt to an empty seat at the table. In some cases, the casino may allow a player to play the dragon hand, which then means they will be playing two hands in the same game.
Hand Behind: Common name for the five card hand in Pai Gow, since it is places behind the smaller two card hand.
Hand in Front: Common name for the two card hand in Pai Gow, so called because it is placed first, or in front of the hand behind (five card hand).
High Card: The highest card in a player"s hand, which may be used as a tie-breaker if a player and dealer have the same hand (for instance, if they both have a flush, the one with the highest card in their flush will win).
High Hand: Another name for the "hand behind" or five-card hand.
House Way: A set way that all dealers must use when setting their hands in Pai Gow. This determines which cards they use in both their hands.
Joker: A card that serves as a wild card in a Pai Gow deck. It can be used to complete a flush, straight or straight flush. If it can not be used to complete one of these hands, then it becomes an Ace automatically.
Low Hand: Another name for the "hand in front" or two card hand.
Wild Card: the 53rd card in a Pai Gow deck, usually a Joker. See the definition for "joker".
