Prioritize a balanced split over a single “monster” hand to minimize your losses and capitalize on the joker
In Pai Gow Poker, the joker is not a standard wild card but is often referred to as a “bug.” For beginners, mastering its use is essential for balancing your two-card “low” hand and five-card “high” hand. While it can complete a straight or a flush, its default value is an Ace, which remains one of the most powerful cards in the deck.
One of the best practices is to use the joker to secure a strong low hand. If you have a choice between completing a mediocre straight in the back or using the joker as an Ace in the front, the latter is often better. A pair of Aces in the high hand with an Ace-high front hand creates a balanced defense that is difficult for the dealer to sweep.
When you are lucky enough to hold four natural Aces plus the joker, you have the highest-ranking hand in the game: five Aces. Players should almost always split this hand by placing a pair of Aces in the low hand and three Aces in the high hand. This virtually guarantees a win on the front hand while keeping a powerhouse in the back.
Strategy changes slightly when the joker can complete a straight flush or a royal flush. In these cases, the bonus payouts for the high hand are often too large to ignore. However, always ensure that your five-card hand still outranks your two-card hand to avoid a “fouled” hand, which results in an immediate loss of your wager.
If your seven cards do not contain any pairs or possible draws, the joker serves as your primary high card. In this “Pai Gow” (no-hand) scenario, place the joker as an Ace in your five-card hand and your next two highest cards in the front. This setup gives you a fighting chance to push the bet by winning at least one of the two hands.
Ultimately, the joker is a tool for flexibility rather than just raw power. Successful players use it to bridge gaps in their straights while keeping their front hand competitive with high-ranking kickers.
