Pai Gow Poker Hand Setting Question

I'm trying to tighten up my PGP game and have a couple questions -

Two situations (assuming I haven't seen anybody's else's cards):

1) Trip A's (assuming no straight or flush in hand). I think the house way is to split this up and go AAxxx and Ax. I play this way with the exception of when I'm dealt AAAKxxx. In this case I've been keeping the trips together (AAAxx) and playing Kx rather than playing AAxxx and AK. My reasoning is that the K is stronger when I'm already holding three A's, thus decreasing the chances the banker hand has an A. Since this isn't the house way I suspect I'm decreasing the player edge on this particular holding but want to hear other opinions.

2) AKQQJ10x. I play this by keeping the straight with a Qx for the front hand. I believe this is the house way and I play it correct, but would like some thoughts because I've thought about going QQJ10x with AK.

Quote: MidwestAP

I'm trying to tighten up my PGP game and have a couple questions -

Two situations (assuming I haven't seen anybody's else's cards):

1) Trip A's (assuming no straight or flush in hand). I think the house way is to split this up and go AAxxx and Ax. I play this way with the exception of when I'm dealt AAAKxxx. In this case I've been keeping the trips together (AAAxx) and playing Kx rather than playing AAxxx and AK. My reasoning is that the K is stronger when I'm already holding three A's, thus decreasing the chances the banker hand has an A. Since this isn't the house way I suspect I'm decreasing the player edge on this particular holding but want to hear other opinions.

This play is weaker; a pair of aces with one ace on top is the way to play it. While you may get some surprise wins (beating two low pair with no top), splitting one ace off is the consistent winning play.

Quote: MidWestAP

2) AKQQJ10x. I play this by keeping the straight with a Qx for the front hand. I believe this is the house way and I play it correct, but would like some thoughts because I've thought about going QQJ10x with AK.

Playing a pair of Queens with AK is the best play. The straight with the queen on top will seldom win because of the weak top.

On the 2nd situation, it's called the "exception rule" in the house ways, where, at my casino, if you have a straight 10-A and there is a pair of 10s or better, then you keep the high pair and put the A up.

As well, I wouldn't play the AAA together unless you know absolutely that all five Aces were out and you had a K-10 or better. That would require collusion, which Mr. Lubin strongly advises against.

Quote: Paigowdan

This play is weaker; a pair of aces with one ace on top is the way to play it. While you may get some surprise wins (beating two low pair with no top), splitting one ace off is the consistent winning play.

Paigowdan, what if you were the bank, and your kicker were a queen (AAAKQxx). Would that be a case where you'd keep all the aces together and play KQ on top?

You know, that's a good point.
The three of a kind is so much stronger than a pair - even Aces - and the KQ is almost an Ace on the low side, and it copies a LOT for the banker, that that makes for a good argument.
However, we have to look at the fact that playing a pair of aces with have an AK on top, and not an A-6, for example.

AAAKQxx played as AK/AAQxx = EV +33%.

AAAKQ played as KQ/AAAxx = EV ~ +31%.

There so close KQ up is not a major game play error. Banking would give you the copies, and KQ does copy a lot.

You might beat two low pairs with a k-x up.

Just playing with an online calculator
(i) AKQJT (straight) and AK play Straight/AK
(ii) AKQJT + AQ play AA/QQ