Pai Gow Poker's House Guidelines specifically for IGW Software

Introduction

The house way rules employed by IGW, a provider of software for online casinos, are outlined here.

In this context, 'front' signifies the hand consisting of two cards, while 'back' indicates the hand made up of five cards.

1. No pair: Position the second and third highest cards in the front hand.
2. One pair: Place the pair in the back hand and the two highest individual cards in the front hand.
3. Two pairs: Divide the two pairs unless one of the following situations applies: both pairs contain 6's or lower, both pairs consist of 10's or lower with an ace singleton, or one pair consists of face cards and the other of 5's or lower combined with an ace singleton.
4. Three pair: Play highest pair in front.
5. Three of a kind: Keep the three of a kind in the back, except in the case of three aces where you must separate them.
6. Three of a kind twice: The higher pair should be placed in the front.
7. Straights and flushes: Always prioritize playing straights or flushes in the high hand, unless they can be played as two pairs under specific conditions: Aces paired with any other pair, both pairs being 10's or higher, or both pairs being 10's or lower accompanied by an ace singleton. If a hand includes a six or seven card straight or flush, ensure the strongest hand possible is in front while maintaining the straight or flush in back. If both a straight and flush exist, place the highest one in front only if it’s a king or better; if not, the flush should go in back.
8. Full house: Divide the hand unless you have a pair of 2's with an ace or king, which can be played in front.
9. Full house with a combination of three of a kind and two pairs: The highest pair should be placed in the front.
10. Four of a kind: The arrangement is based on the rank of the four of a kind: for ranks 2 through 6, always keep them united. For 7 through 10, separate unless you can place an ace or a face card in the front. For face cards from Jack to King, split them unless paired with 10's or higher. For Aces, split unless a pair of 7's or above can go in front.
11. Straight Flush: Keep the straight flush in the back unless conditions allow it to be played as a two pairs, namely: Aces with any other pair, both pairs in the tens or above, or both pairs in the tens or below with an ace singleton. If an ace combined with a face card or a pair can bring you a better play in the front, opt for only a straight or flush.
12. Royal Flush: Keep the royal flush in back, except if conditions permit it to be split into two pairs: Aces coupled with any other pair, both pairs in the tens or above. If a straight or flush can be played in the back and you can play a king or better in the front, then break apart the royal flush.
13. Five aces: Split unless you have a pair of kings that can be played in front.

Written by: Michael Shackleford