Live Pok Deng by SA Gaming Review

If you are looking for something with cultural appeal on the one hand and engaging gameplay on the other, Pok Deng by SA Gaming might be the game you have been seeking to play. Inspired by a popular Thai card game, this release has already become a big hit in Southeast Asia and continues to gain more fans. This time globally. Indeed, simplicity of rules, a straightforward goal, and some enjoyable twists that can lead to bonus payouts. It looks like a full package.

SA Gaming has done a good job of ensuring they create a game that is engaging enough to distract players from widely popular roulette, blackjack, and live game shows. Pok Deng is a breath of fresh air, even though it seems to be highly similar to baccarat. To beat the dealer by having a hand that is closest to 9 points, you might say that you have already seen something similar in baccarat or even blackjack.

Yet, wait until you see what special features SA Gaming has prepared to heat up the interest of players in this release. Are you curious to find out more about what to expect? Find your answers in the review below.

What’s Unique About Pok Deng?

Putting that it is a Thai-inspired game, which makes it unique, as well as the fact that there are only a few Pok Deng variants at online operators, those are the odds that make this release by SA Gaming truly stand out.

What about the odds?

• A regular winning or losing hand has a 1:1.
• A hand that features a special poker combination like (flash, pair, special, pair, AK flash, or face card combo) has the odds of 2:1.
• A “Player Pair” winning bet gives 1:11.

Another unusual thing happens during the betting process, as the system reserves a double bet. For instance, your bet is $10, so be ready that another $10 will be withheld for the cases when a dealer wins with a special poker combination. Only in those situations will you lose double your bet. Otherwise, you lose only the actual wagered amount. Thus, while special pattern multipliers are attractive, this feature is a two-edged sword that can either give or take more.

How to Play Pok Deng?

In Pok Deng by SA Gaming, you are an observer who can place bets, trying to guess which player will be the winner of the hand and beat the dealer’s hand. The game is played with a deck of 52 cards and five players who receive a hand from a banker. Though the best outcome is when the winning hand has 9 points, any combination that beats the dealer’s hand is considered a winning one. 

Even if you are familiar with this Thai card game and played it in real life, the version offered by SA Gaming is an interpretation, and some steps differ from the original Pok Deng. Here is how a gaming round of this reviewed game looks:

• Take your time to place bets during a dedicated period between gaming rounds. You can place multiple bets if you like, and of different values. Possible bet variants include wagering on a player that wins or on the fact that a specific player would have a pair dealt.
• When the round starts, a banker deals 2 cards to each of the five players and themselves.
• The cards are revealed, and those with the biggest hand win. If a dealer has the biggest hand, then all the players lose.

The gaming process is rather straightforward. Yet, the way hands are calculated is quite interesting. Thus, cards from 2 to 10 have their values, while Jack, Queen, King, and Ace are worth either 0 or 10 (yet, it turns out not to matter much at the end). Here is why.

It is only the last digit of the scored sum that counts. For instance, all those hands, though being completely different, have the value of five:

• 2+3 = 5. The sum of both cards gives 5, so it is self-explanatory. 6+9 = 5. Even though 6 and 9 give 15 in sum, the value of the hand is 5.
• 5+J = 5. Here, it does not matter if you consider J as a 0 or 10, as the hand results in 5.

It looks simple, yet there are some nuances when the actual payout calculation takes place, as there are special combinations that alter the odds.

Pok Deng is not the only alternative to baccarat. There are plenty of fantastic card games that offer an immersive experience and engaging gameplay. For instance, Live Bull Bull by PlayAce Gaming. Having a simple goal of beating the Banker’s hand, this release with five-card hands has plenty of possible winning combinations and enhanced odds for rare-to-get hands.

Win Three Cards by PlayAce is a fast-paced, multiplayer card game that blends the thrill of poker with the simplicity of baccarat-style betting. Players wager on either the Dragon or Phoenix hand, aiming to predict which will hold the stronger three-card combination. Sleek visuals, engaging side bets, and a vibrant social atmosphere allow the game to deliver an immersive live casino experience.

With 24/7 tables, friendly live dealers, Live Dragon Tiger by 7Mojos has already become a favorite of many live casino fans. The game is refreshingly simple yet thrilling. The team behind it enhances the classic format with vibrant studio themes, real-time statistics, and side bets like Suited Tie for added excitement.

Pai Gow Poker by Creedroomz offers a refined twist on classic poker. Players split seven cards into two hands (one five-card and one two-card), aiming to beat the dealer in both. Bonus bets and side wagers give players extra excitement and tempting winning opportunities that can’t be missed. The game supports unlimited seating, real-time chat, and multi-language interfaces, making it accessible and social for players worldwide.

Even though SA Gaming has been in the industry for over a decade now, it’s not that easy to find a casino that offers a portfolio of this software developer. Still, what looks like a drawback turns out to be an advantage, as SA Gaming values its reputation and appears only in trusted operators that value their reputation and player security.

You can find a list of such casinos in our database, all reviewed and tested, so you can skip the time-consuming process of  and go straight into wagering on Pok Deng. Explore top live dealer casinos and use filters for faster navigation to find a website that matches your preferred currency, language, and payment method in just several clicks.