The “Pai Gow Poker” is a fun drinking game that introduces a social and enjoyable twist to the traditional card game, making it a hit for poker enthusiasts looking to add a drinking element to their gameplay.
Here’s a concise guide on how to play the Pai Gow Poker drinking card game.
Equipment Needed
- Deck of Cards: Include a single Joker for added strategy.
- Poker Chips: For placing bets.
- Large Table: Accommodates all players comfortably.
- Drinks of Choice: For the drinking penalties associated with the game.
Number of Players
- 6 or more players: Ideal for a group setting, making the game more dynamic and social.
Objective
To create two poker hands (a five-card hand and a two-card hand) that both beat the dealer’s corresponding hands, with drinking rules incorporated for certain outcomes.
Game Setup
- Dealer Assignment: Rotate the dealer role among players to keep the game fair and engaging.
- Card Distribution: The dealer deals seven face-down piles of seven cards each to the players, with one discard pile of the remaining cards.
- Betting Stage: Players place their bets before the cards are dealt. Unlike traditional betting against each other, players bet against the dealer.
Pai Gow Poker Drinking Game Rules
- Creating Hands:
- Players arrange their seven cards into a five-card hand (“the high hand”) and a two-card hand (“the low hand”).
- The five-card hand must be higher in value than the two-card hand.
- Comparing Hands:
- Players’ hands are compared to the dealer’s. Winning both hands results in a win, winning one results in a push (bet carries over), and losing both results in a loss.
- Drinking Rules:
- Showdown Loss: If a player loses against a pair of aces or better, they drink a shot.
- Full House Win: Win with a full house allows the player to assign a shot to another player or the hand’s loser.
- Knock-Out: Players knocked out by losing all their chips must down their drink.
- Heads-Up Play: In the final two-player showdown, losing hands mean taking a sip.
- Joker Card: Acts as a wild card, substituting to complete a straight or flush or serving as an ace otherwise.
Drinking Penalties
- Forfeit: Incorrectly setting the hands (five-card hand lower than the two-card hand) results in drinking a penalty.
- Game End: The runner-up in the final heads-up must down a drink.
Pai Gow Poker Drinking Game
“Pai Gow Poker” as a drinking game offers a fun, strategic, and social experience, blending the complexity of poker with the lightheartedness of a drinking game. I
t’s perfect for poker nights looking to introduce a new twist, ensuring both new and experienced players can enjoy the blend of strategy, luck, and social drinking.
Remember, the key to a great game night is not just the excitement of the win but the joy of playing with friends.
Drink responsibly and enjoy the camaraderie!
Check out some other fun drinking games like Kemps, Knights At The Round Table, Up And Down Luck, Blackjack, Pick A Card, Land Mines, Indian Poker, Lose, Card of Lies, Knock-Out Poker and Sloppy Hockey.
