Asia Poker

Introduction

Asia Poker combines elements from pai gow poker with a Chinese game known as '13 cards.' I've been receiving inquiries about this game for quite some time. It seems to have originated in Atlantic City before spreading to other areas. When I finally encountered it at Harrah's Rincon in California, as well as at the Rio and Gold Coast in Las Vegas, I realized I could no longer overlook it.

Rules

1. This game utilizes a 53-card deck, which includes a joker. The joker can be used to complete a straight, flush, straight flush, or royal flush, and in other instances, it functions as an ace, similar to its role in pai gow poker.
2. Once a wager is placed, both the player and the dealer are dealt a total of seven cards each.
3. The player is required to organize their cards into three distinct hands: a single-card low hand, a two-card medium hand, and a four-card high hand.
4. It's important that the low hand does not exceed the poker value of the medium hand, and the medium hand also should not surpass the high hand. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a foul, leading to a loss.
5. The medium hand can only consist of pairs and two unpaired cards, without any straights or flushes present.
6. The poker rankings within the four-card hand follow traditional poker standards, with the exception of full houses being excluded. One reader raised a question regarding this rule, which may require further clarification.
7. The dealer is obligated to arrange their hand following the 'house way,' which is outlined in the following sections.
8. The player's three hands will be evaluated against the dealer's corresponding hands. Each hand comparison will determine the winner based on which one has the higher value. In the event of a tie, the dealer is awarded the win.
9. If the player is victorious in at least two out of the three hands, they will receive even money on their wager. Otherwise, the player incurs a loss. It's noteworthy that no commission is deducted from winnings.
10. Moreover, a Bonus Bet may be available, which is dependent on the poker value of the player's seven-card hand. Details regarding the pay tables for the Bonus Bet can be found below.

Strategy

Most hands should be straightforward. If you’re uncertain about how to proceed, I recommend asking the dealer to set your hand according to the 'house way.'

House Edge

According to the game owner, the house edge is set at 4.82%. Based on my analysis, I believe this figure is accurate.

House Way

The following house way instructions were obtained from the Gold Coast in Las Vegas. I have heard reports suggesting that Harrah's might employ a different house way, but this information remains unverified.

For the purpose of the house way, cards are organized into specific categories:

• 2-6 = Low
• 7-10 = Medium
• J-A = High

Garbage

Place the third highest card in the low hand, the second and fourth highest cards in the medium hand, reserving the remaining cards for the high hand.

One pair

In situations where a high pair exists, and either there are no high singletons or just one singleton of a lower rank, distribute the pair between the medium and high hands.

If the above condition is not met, place the second highest singleton in the low hand, the first and third highest singletons in the medium hand, and use the rest for the high hand.

Two Pairs

Distribute the two pairs between the high and medium hands.

An exception exists: if a pair consists of aces or kings and there are no high singletons, put the lower pair in the high hand and divide the higher pair between the medium and low hands.

Three Pairs

If one of the pairs consists of aces or kings and the singleton is a lower or medium card, then use a card from the high pair in the low hand and combine the other ace or king with the singleton in the medium hand, placing the remaining two pairs in the high hand.

Conversely, if the singleton is a low or medium card without any aces or kings in the pair, utilize a card from the highest pair for the low hand, the medium pair for the medium hand, and the remainder for the high hand.

In other instances (when there are no high pairs and a high singleton exists), place the singleton in the low hand, the highest pair in the medium hand, and the other two pairs in the high hand.

Three of a Kind

When you have three cards ranging from 2 to 10: Use the second highest singleton in the low hand, and the first and third highest singletons in the medium hand, while the rest goes to the high hand.

If you have three jacks and no high cards: Place the highest singleton in the low hand, a jack alongside the second highest singleton in the medium hand, and the others in the high hand.

In scenarios with three jacks and one high card: Play a jack in the low hand, the two most prominent singletons in the medium hand, and place the remaining cards in the high hand.

For situations with three jacks and two high cards: Utilize the same strategy as you would with three cards ranging from 2 to 10.

With a configuration of QQQ-AAA and one or two high cards: Place a pair in the high hand and optimize the low and medium hands otherwise.

Three of a Kind Twice

Divide the high three of a kind among the low and medium hands.

Straight, Flush, Straight Flush, Royal Flush

If you're able to play a four-card hand in the high hand, while also having a pair in the medium hand, proceed that way; except if the pair consists of aces and the singleton is not a king, then separate the pair between the low and medium hands.

If your hand contains two pairs, three pairs, or a three of a kind, you need to separate the four-card hand and adhere to the respective rules regarding two pair, three pair, or three of a kind

If you can create either a straight or flush from the high hand, then make the decision that leads to the stronger medium hand.

In cases where the medium hand remains unchanged both ways, select the option that enhances the low hand.

If the four-card hand features three or four high cards without any additional high cards, then rely on the 'garbage' rule. If there is an extra high card included, play the four-card hand in the high hand.

Should you find a pair within the four-card hand and possess an ace, king, or queen and jack, keep the four-card hand in the high hand. Otherwise, if a pair is within the four-card hand, place it in the high hand.

Full House

The standard approach for playing a full house is to assign the highest singleton to the low hand, the pair to the medium hand, and place the three of a kind and low singleton in the high hand.

With three queens or a higher rank present, and both singletons being low or medium, separate the three of a kind into the low and high hands, maintaining the pair in the medium hand. If at least one high singleton exists, adhere to the 'usual way.'

In cases of having a pair of aces or kings and lacking high singletons, split the pair across the low and medium hands, while placing the three of a kind in the high hand. With at least one high singleton, stick to the 'usual way.'

When faced with three queens or a higher rank, and a high pair, with no high singleton, separate the three of a kind between low and high hands. Alternatively, if there is at least one high singleton, proceed according to the 'usual way.'

Under all other circumstances, follow the 'usual way.'

Three of a Kind and Two Pairs

With no high pairs present, divide the three of a kind between the low and medium hands, positioning the two pair in the high hand.

If that’s not the case, position a card from the high pair in the low hand, the low pair in the medium hand, and allocate the rest to the high hand.

Four of Kind

If you possess a low four of a kind along with two high cards, one of which is an ace, play the four of a kind in the high hand.

When holding four aces or kings with no high singletons, divide the four of a kind into a pair for the high hand, and place one card each in the low and medium hands.

If that’s not the situation, distribute the four of a kind into a pair for the medium and high hands.

Four of a Kind and a Pair

With four aces or kings, utilize three of them in the high hand and one in the low hand.

Conversely, if not, position the pair in the medium hand and the four of a kind in the high hand.

Four of a King and a Three of a Kind

If you have four queens or a higher rank, and a low or medium three of a kind, play the three of a kind in the high hand.

In different situations, place the four of a kind in the high hand.

Five Aces

Utilize an ace in the low hand, two aces in the medium hand, with the rest being allocated to the high hand.

Bonus Bet

Available game documentation presents four potential pay tables for the Bonus Bet. The next four tables illustrate the probabilities and potential returns associated with each.

Written by: Michael Shackleford