This blog was originally written on July 19th, 2020, and updated on February 7th, 2025.
Pai Gow Poker combines standard poker with the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow, providing casino players with a slower-paced but strategic experience. Learning the rules, strategies, and other important game information can improve your performance whether you’re playing at a real casino or Pai Gow online. This guide will cover everything you need to know about this table game, from the basics of playing to useful strategies.
What is Pai Gow?
Some people get confused about Pai Gow and Pai Gow poker, but it’s easy to distinguish them once you know how the game works. Pai Gow is an ancient Chinese game wherein players try to make the finest possible hand combinations using 32 dominoes. On the other hand, Pai Gow poker uses a conventional deck of playing cards instead of dominoes and bases the hand rankings on poker. If you want to try this game, you can play Pai Gow online at Bspin.io.
Pai Gow Poker Rules
Hand formation
Each player receives seven cards and must create two hands (a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand). The high hand must always be stronger than the low hand. Suppose a player fails to set their hands correctly. In that case, the dealer automatically adjusts them according to the casino’s house way, which may not always be optimal for the player. Understanding how to form strong hands is essential for improving your winning chances.
The Joker
The deck includes one Joker, which can be used as an Ace or to form a straight, flush, or straight flush. If players cannot use the Joker in a special hand, they treat it as an Ace. Since the Joker is a powerful card, using it wisely can make a huge difference between winning and losing a hand.
Winning conditions
You win if both of your hands beat the dealer’s hands. If only one hand wins, it’s a push. If both hands lose, you lose the bet. In the event of an exact tie in one or both hands, the dealer wins those hands, making it slightly more complicated for players to win consistently. This rule gives the house a slight advantage over time.
House Way
Casinos follow a predefined strategy, known as “The House Way,” to arrange their hands. Learning these patterns can improve your play. The House Way maximizes the dealer’s chances of winning, so understanding these rules helps you make better strategic decisions when setting your own hands.
Banker role
Players can sometimes act as the banker, covering other players’ bets. The banker has an advantage since they win ties. However, playing as the banker requires a large bankroll, as you must cover all bets at the table. Players should take advantage of this role whenever possible to reduce the house edge.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker
Understand the setup
There are seven cards dealt to the dealer and each player. The objective is to form two hands: a five-card high hand stronger than the other hand and a two-card low hand. Apart from the conventional 52-card deck, the game includes a Joker that can substitute an Ace and complete a straight, flush, or straight flush. Unlike traditional poker, six players usually compete against the dealer instead of one another.
Place your bets
Before dealing cards, players place their bets. Many Pai Gow betting strategies suggest conservative wagering as the game often results in a push.
Set your hands
After receiving your seven cards, arrange them into a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The five-card hand must be stronger than the two-card hand. Winning requires both hands to beat the dealer’s corresponding hands. If one wins and another loses, the round results in a push, returning your bet. See examples of arranging a five-card hand and a two-card hand based on the seven cards provided.
| Hand Dealt | Optimal Five-Card Hand | Optimal Two-Card Hand |
|---|---|---|
| A♠ A♦ Q♣ 10♥ 8♦ 7♠ 3♣ | A♠ A♦ Q♣ 10♥ 8♦ | 7♠ 3♣ |
| A♣ K♠ Q♦ J♣ 10♥ 9♠ 8♦ | 10♥ 9♠ 8♦ J♣ Q♦ | A♣ K♠ |
| K♠ K♥ J♦ 9♣ 6♥ 4♠ 4♦ | K♠ K♥ J♦ 9♣ 6♥ | 4♠ 4♦ |
Compare hands with the dealer
After setting the hands, the dealer reveals their cards and arranges them according to house rules. If the player’s two hands beat both of the dealer’s, they win! However, if only one of the player’s hands wins, it results in a push. If both of the player’s hands lose, they forfeit their bet.
Pai Gow Poker Payouts
When you win, most Pai Gow Poker games offer even-money payouts (1:1). However, many casinos take a 5% commission on winning hands. Some variations, such as Face Up Pai Gow Poker, eliminate this commission, increasing player returns.
Some versions of the game also offer side bets, such as:
- Fortune Bonus: Pays based on premium hands like a full house or better.
- Progressive Jackpot: Awards a prize for rare hands, such as a seven-card straight flush.
Pai Gow Poker Odds and House Edge
Pai Gow Poker has a high push rate; approximately 40% of rounds result in a push, meaning players neither win nor lose. This percentage makes it a low-risk game with extended playtime.
The probability of different outcomes:
- Winning both hands: Around 30%
- Losing both hands: Around 30%
- Push (one win, one loss): Around 40%
The house edge in standard Pai Gow Poker is around 2.5%, while the casino takes a 5% commission. When players act as the banker, they can reduce the edge to as low as 1.46%. Variants without commission, such as Face Up Pai Gow, provide a slightly lower house edge, making them more favorable for players.
Pai Gow Strategy
Keep your five-card hand stronger
Many beginners make the mistake of overvaluing their two-card hand, which weakens their five-card hand. Always ensure that your five-card hand remains stronger since it has the primary role in determining wins.
Make good use of the Joker card
To strengthen your hand, use the Joker as an Ace if it doesn’t complete a straight, flush, or straight flush. Your chances of winning can improve by learning how to use the Joker card correctly.
Play Face Up Pai Gow to increase your chances
Your chances of winning are increased by Face Up Pai Gow Poker’s elimination of the dealer’s commission. You can set your hands more strategically because the dealer’s cards are visible.
Know the basics of Pai Gow poker odds
Pai Gow poker often yields a push, which means your bet gets returned rather than gone. According to this study, almost 40% of all rounds finish in a push. As a result, you can enjoy extended play without running out of money too soon. The odds of winning and losing in Pai Gow poker are evenly balanced. Players lose both hands at about the same rate and win both hands about 30% of the time.
Use the House Way strategy
Many casinos use a “house way” strategy for hand setting to reduce errors. You can make better choices if you know such strategies, mainly when it’s uncertain what the best hand setup is.
Bank whenever possible
Participants can take turns playing the role of the banker in some variations of Pai Gow poker. You are responsible for covering other players’ bets when you are the banker. Use banking whenever possible because it can increase your odds.
Manage your bankroll
Since Pai Gow poker has a slow pace and many pushes, players usually get comfortable making large bets. It is vital to know how to manage your bankroll. Ensure you set a budget and stick to it to prolong your gameplay and improve your decision-making.
Final Thoughts
Pai Gow poker is ideal for players who enjoy strategic and slow-paced poker games. Knowing how this game works and its betting strategies can increase your chances of winning. If you want to try other poker games, check out Texas Hold ’em Poker or Caribbean Stud Poker. Otherwise, you can explore Bspin’s other card and casino table games.