Should you split four of a kind in Pai Gow Poker?

Split or keep four of a kind

Average result per unit bet against a dealer who sets the house way (Foxwoods), after the 5% commission on wins. From the exact distribution of the dealer’s hands; it ignores that your seven cards can’t also be in the dealer’s hand, which only matters when two settings are very close. The best value in each row is green.

Why

Splitting four of a kind gives you a pair on each side. With high cards the front pair is strong enough to win the low hand most of the time, and that is worth more than the overkill of four of a kind behind. Small quads make a weak front pair, so you do better keeping them together and putting your best odd cards in front; an ace or king there is almost as good as a middling pair.

Related questions

• Should you split a full house in Pai Gow Poker?

  Yes: three of a kind behind and the pair in front. The exception is a very small pair with an ace and a king to play in front; then keep the full house behind.

• When should you split two pair in Pai Gow Poker?

  Usually: put the lower pair in front and the higher pair behind. Keep both pairs behind only when they are small and you have an ace, or with the smallest pairs a king, to put in front.

• Should you set your own hand or use the house way in Pai Gow?

  The house way is a fine default: it sets most hands the best way. Setting every hand perfectly lowers the house edge only a little, so learn the few hands where it goes wrong rather than fighting it.

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