Pai-gow Poker

This game is based on the Chinese game played with dominoes, Pai-Gow. It's played with 53 cards, the last a joker which represents an ace.
Playing the game

Each player must put down a stake, and then is dealt seven cards. These are split into two hands, one of five and one of two.

The five card hands are the same as in poker, except an A-2-3-4-5 is second only to a royal straight or flush.

The players then arrange their hands so that the five-card hand is better than the two-card hand.

Once arranged, the two hands should be put down on the table and the dealer will expose his own. You are no longer allowed to touch the cards.

There are now three outcomes:

• You beat the dealer on both hands: 1:1 win.
• You beat the dealer on one hand: No money changes hands, break even.
• The dealer beats you on both hands: Loss.
  (The dealer wins in the result of a tie).

Tactics for Pai-Gow Poker
The best idea is to get as strong a 2-card hand as possible, whilst still having a stronger 5-card one. A Pair will often win the 2-card hand. When playing with two pairs, only split high pairs, over 6 - this gives you the best chance of winning both hands.

Pai-Gow poker is a very simple game, simply attempting to win two hands against a dealer, so the tactics for most poker games still apply here.