How to Play Pai Gow Poker: Rules, Strategy & Odds Guide
Pai Gow Poker combines elements of the ancient Chinese domino game Pai Gow with American poker. You receive seven cards and must create two poker hands—a five-card "high" hand and a two-card "low" hand—that both beat the dealer's corresponding hands. With frequent pushes and low volatility, Pai Gow Poker is the perfect game for players who want extended sessions without dramatic bankroll swings.
This guide covers everything you need to play Pai Gow Poker: the rules, optimal hand-setting strategy, and why this game has earned a devoted following among savvy casino players.
Table of Contents
- What Is Pai Gow Poker?
- How to Play
- Hand Rankings
- Setting Your Hands
- The Joker
- Optimal Strategy
- Odds and House Edge
- Banking Options
- Tips for Players
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a casino table game where you receive seven cards and split them into two poker hands. Your five-card "high" hand must beat your two-card "low" hand in standard poker rankings. You win only if both of your hands beat both of the dealer's hands.
Origins
Pai Gow Poker was invented by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in Los Angeles, in 1985. He combined the concept of the Chinese domino game Pai Gow with poker hand rankings. Unfortunately for Torosian, he never patented the game and received nothing as it spread to casinos worldwide.
Why Players Love Pai Gow Poker
Low volatility: About 40% of hands push (tie), making bankroll swings smaller than most table games.
Extended play time: Your money lasts longer because you are not losing on every losing hand—many hands push.
Strategic depth: Setting hands correctly requires thought and skill.
Social pace: The game moves slowly enough for conversation and relaxation.
Low house edge: With optimal play and banking opportunities, skilled players face minimal disadvantage.
How to Play
Pai Gow Poker follows a structured format with one key decision: how to set your hands.
The Table Layout
A standard Pai Gow Poker table seats up to seven players (including the dealer position). Each spot has areas for:
- Your bet
- Your high hand (five cards)
- Your low hand (two cards)
Step-by-Step Gameplay
1. Place Your Bet Put chips in the betting circle.
2. Receive Your Cards You receive seven cards face down. The dealer also receives seven cards.
3. Set Your Hands Arrange your seven cards into:
- A five-card "high" hand (also called "back" or "behind")
- A two-card "low" hand (also called "front")
Your high hand must outrank your low hand.
4. Dealer Sets Their Hand The dealer arranges their cards according to fixed "house way" rules.
5. Compare Hands Your high hand vs. dealer's high hand Your low hand vs. dealer's low hand
6. Determine Outcome
- Win both comparisons: You win even money minus 5% commission
- Lose both comparisons: You lose your bet
- Split (win one, lose one): Push—your bet is returned
- Copies: Ties go to the dealer (or banker)
The Commission
Winning hands pay 1:1 minus a 5% commission. If you bet $100 and win, you receive $95 profit.
This commission is how the casino makes money. Without it, the game would have an extremely low house edge.
Hand Rankings
Pai Gow Poker uses standard poker rankings for the five-card hand. The two-card hand has limited possibilities.
Five-Card Hand Rankings (High Hand)
| Rank | Hand | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Five of a Kind* | A♠ A♥ A♦ A♣ Joker |
| 2 | Royal Flush | A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ |
| 3 | Straight Flush | 8♥ 7♥ 6♥ 5♥ 4♥ |
| 4 | Four of a Kind | K♣ K♦ K♥ K♠ 5♦ |
| 5 | Full House | Q♠ Q♥ Q♦ 8♣ 8♠ |
| 6 | Flush | A♦ J♦ 9♦ 6♦ 3♦ |
| 7 | Straight | J♣ 10♠ 9♥ 8♦ 7♣ |
| 8 | Three of a Kind | 9♠ 9♥ 9♦ K♣ 4♠ |
| 9 | Two Pair | J♠ J♥ 5♦ 5♣ A♠ |
| 10 | One Pair | A♥ A♣ K♦ 9♠ 3♥ |
| 11 | High Card | A♠ Q♦ 10♣ 7♥ 2♠ |
*Five of a kind is possible only with the joker
Two-Card Hand Rankings (Low Hand)
| Rank | Hand |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pair of Aces |
| 2 | Pair of Kings |
| ... | (pairs ranked by card value) |
| 13 | Pair of 2s |
| 14 | A-K (highest non-pair) |
| 15 | A-Q |
| ... | (high cards ranked down) |
| Lowest | 2-3 |
The Wheel (A-2-3-4-5)
In Pai Gow Poker, A-2-3-4-5 is the second-highest straight (after A-K-Q-J-10). This differs from some poker games where it is the lowest straight.
Setting Your Hands
The crucial skill in Pai Gow Poker is arranging your seven cards optimally.
The Fundamental Rule
Your five-card high hand must rank higher than your two-card low hand.
If you put a pair in your low hand, your high hand must have at least a pair to be valid. Violating this rule is called a "foul" and results in an automatic loss.
Setting Goals
Optimal strategy balances two objectives:
- Maximize chances of winning both hands
- Avoid losing both hands
Sometimes this means putting a weaker high hand to strengthen your low hand.
Quick Reference by Hand Type
No Pair:
- Put highest card in high hand
- Put second and third highest cards in low hand
One Pair:
- Put the pair in high hand
- Put two highest remaining cards in low hand
Two Pair: This is the most complex situation. General guidelines:
- Low pairs (2-6): Split unless you have an Ace for the low hand
- Medium pairs (7-10): Split unless you have a King or Ace for low hand
- High pairs (J-A): Usually keep together unless very high low hand possible
Three of a Kind:
- Keep together in high hand (usually)
- Exception: Three Aces—put one Ace in low hand, pair of Aces in high hand
Straights and Flushes:
- Keep the straight or flush in high hand
- Put highest available cards in low hand
- If you can make both straight/flush AND a pair, consider splitting
Full House:
- Split the pair to low hand, trips to high hand
- Exception: With two pair and trips, keep full house, play pair in low hand
Four of a Kind: Depends on the rank:
- 2-6: Keep together
- 7-10: Split if you have Ace or King for low hand
- J-K: Always split
- Aces: Split one pair to each hand
Five Aces (with Joker):
- Put pair of Aces in low hand
- Keep three Aces in high hand
The Joker
Pai Gow Poker uses a 53-card deck including one joker.
Joker Rules
The joker is semi-wild. It can be used as:
- An Ace
- Any card to complete a straight
- Any card to complete a flush
- Any card to complete a straight flush
The joker cannot be used as a random wild card to make three of a kind, four of a kind, or other hands (unless it completes a straight or flush).
Examples
- A♠ Joker K♦ Q♣ J♥ 10♠ 5♦: Joker becomes 9 for a straight (not two Aces)
- A♥ A♦ Joker K♠ 8♣ 5♠ 2♥: Joker is an Ace (three Aces)
- K♠ Q♠ J♠ 9♠ Joker 7♦ 3♣: Joker is any spade (flush)
- 8♦ 8♣ Joker K♠ 5♥ 4♦ 2♣: Joker is an Ace (Ace-high, not three 8s)
Optimal Strategy
Complete optimal strategy is complex, but the "house way" used by dealers provides a good approximation.
Two Pair Strategy (Most Common Decision)
Two pair is the most frequent strategic challenge. Guidelines by pair strength:
Both pairs 6s or lower:
- Split the pairs
One low pair (6 or lower), one high pair (J or higher):
- Split unless you have an Ace for low hand
One medium pair (7-10), one high pair:
- Split unless you have Ace or King for low hand
Both pairs Jacks or higher:
- Keep together only with Ace for low hand
Pair of Aces + any other pair:
- Always split (pairs in each hand)
House Way Summary
Most casinos publish their "house way"—the rules dealers follow. Using house way as your strategy captures most of the optimal value.
Key Strategic Principles
-
Protect the low hand: A weak low hand loses half the battles. Do not neglect it.
-
Pairs in low hand are powerful: Even a small pair in the low hand often wins.
-
Don't foul your hand: Always verify your high hand outranks your low hand.
-
Consider the dealer's likely hands: The dealer follows house way predictably.
When in Doubt
If unsure how to set your hand, ask the dealer to set it "house way." This is always allowed and provides reasonable strategy.
Odds and House Edge
Pai Gow Poker offers excellent odds for a casino game.
House Edge
Standard play: 2.54% (including 5% commission)
With optimal banking: Can approach 0% or even player advantage
Outcome Probabilities
| Outcome | Probability |
|---|---|
| Player wins both | 28.6% |
| Dealer wins both | 29.9% |
| Push (split) | 41.5% |
Why the House Edge Exists
-
Commission: The 5% on wins is the primary source of casino profit.
-
Copy rule: When hands are identical, the banker (usually the casino) wins.
Expected Loss Calculation
At $50 average bet, 30 hands per hour:
- Total wagered: $1,500
- Expected loss: approximately $38 per hour
This is significantly lower than most table games at similar stakes.
Banking Options
Many Pai Gow Poker tables allow players to bank.
What Is Banking?
When you bank, you cover all other players' bets. You win what they lose, lose what they win. The house takes commission from your net win.
Banking Advantages
Copies go to you: The copy rule now favors you instead of the house.
Reduced house edge: The effective house edge drops significantly when banking.
Can approach even money: With perfect play and frequent banking, the game is nearly break-even.
Banking Considerations
- You must have enough chips to cover all potential losses
- Some casinos require you to bank every other hand (co-banking with the house)
- Not all casinos offer banking options
Co-Banking
Some casinos offer co-banking, where you and the house split the banking duties. This provides some banking benefits with reduced risk.
Tips for Players
Practical advice for Pai Gow Poker sessions.
Bankroll Management
Pai Gow's low volatility means smaller bankrolls work:
- 20-30 times your average bet is reasonable
- Expect long sessions with small swings
- The 41% push rate means slower chip movement
Table Selection
- Look for tables with banking options
- Check the commission rate (always 5% on player wins, sometimes on banker wins too)
- Find tables with comfortable minimums
Using the House Way
If strategy overwhelms you:
- Ask the dealer to set your hand house way
- Watch how the dealer sets hands
- Many casinos have house way cards available
Social Aspects
Pai Gow Poker is inherently social:
- Slow pace encourages conversation
- Players often compare hands
- Root for others at the table
- Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere
Tipping
Dealers in Pai Gow work slowly and often receive fewer tips. Consider:
- Tipping on big wins
- Placing a bet for the dealer
- Acknowledging helpful hand-setting advice
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Pai Gow Poker offers a unique casino experience: poker-based action with remarkably low volatility. The 41% push rate means your bankroll lasts longer, your sessions extend, and the emotional swings stay manageable.
Key takeaways:
- House edge: 2.54% (lower with banking)
- Push rate: approximately 41%
- Strategic depth: Hand-setting requires thought
- Perfect for extended sessions
For optimal play:
- Learn basic two-pair strategy (most common decision)
- Use house way when uncertain
- Bank when bankroll allows
- Enjoy the social, relaxed pace
Who should play Pai Gow Poker:
- Players seeking low-volatility gambling
- Those who enjoy strategic decisions
- Social players who like table conversation
- Anyone wanting extended session time
Pai Gow Poker rewards patience and proper hand-setting with one of the most player-friendly experiences in the casino. Set your hands wisely, bank when you can, and enjoy the ride.
Good luck at the tables.