Intro to Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow is a new twist on an ancient Chinese gambling game that was originally played with dominos. Today the game is played with a traditional deck of cards plus one wild joker card, so a total of 53 cards. The game can be played by up to 7 players, with each player competing individually against the dealer.

Pai Gow Rules

Each player makes a bet at the beginning of the round.
Each player is dealt seven cards face down.
Next, each player arranges the seven cards into two separate hands, one with five cards and one with two cards.
The five card hand is ranked according to traditional poker hand rankings. The two card hand is arranged to hold the best pair or two highest non-paired cards (hand rankings will be explained shortly).
After all the cards have been dealt, the dealer reveals his cards and sets his hands according to the house rules.
If both of the player's hands beat the dealer, the player wins even money on his bet less a 5% commission.
If the player wins one hand but loses on the other, the bet is a push.
If the dealer wins with both hands, the player loses his bet.

If lucky enough to get dealt the joker, it can be used as an ace or to complete any straight, flush and straight-flushes. This means you can use the joker to get five aces but you can't use it to get five cards of any other rank (because it can only be used as an ace).

The casino usually plays as the dealer but some casinos allow players to take turns being the dealer. If you want to be the dealer, you have to pay the house a 5% commission on your net wins and you have to have enough money in front of you to cover all the other players' bets.

Pai Gow Poker Hand Rankings

Five Card Hands

Five card hands are ranked according to the usual poker hand rankings with one exception. In most casinos, the wheel straight (A2345) is ranked as the second highest straight, behind AKQJT.

Two Card Hands

Two card hands are ranked according to pairs and high card value. The highest possible two card hand is AA and the lowest possible two card hand is 32. Pairs take precedence over high value hands. So a pair of twos would beat a hand containing AK.

It's important to remember that you cannot set your two card hand to be stronger than your five card hand. For example, if you only end up with a pair of aces out of the seven cards you are dealt, you can't put the aces in your two card hand and leave five random cards in your other hand.

If you set your two card hand to be stronger than your five card hand, it's called a "foul" and you will lose your bets. If you ever need help setting your hand, the dealer will set it for you.

Pai Gow Poker Strategy

The best way to get ahead in Pai Gow poker is to play as the dealer as often as you can. When there is a tie, the dealer always wins so that makes for a significant edge. Just make sure you have enough chips in front of you to cover all the other players' bets.

You can also improve your chances of winning by setting your cards so that both of your hands have the best chances of winning. You can follow the basic rules of thumb below or ask the dealer to set your hand the "house way." The house way usually isn't too far off from being optimal.

Rules of Thumb for setting your hand

Remember your five card hand must always be stronger than your two card hand.
Also remember that the following rules are designed to give both hands the highest chance of winning. As soon as you make your five card hand, you want to put the best remaining cards in your two card hand.
If you don't have any pairs, straights or flushes, you should put the single highest card in your five card hand and the second two highest cards in your two card hand.
If you have a single pair, put it in your five card hand and put the two highest remaining cards in your two card hand.
If you have two pairs, you should put the highest pair in your five card hand and put the other pair in your two card hand.
If you have three pairs, you should put the second and third highest pairs in your five card hand and the highest pair in your two card hand.
If you have a straight (whether its 5,6 or 7 cards long), put the lowest cards that complete the straight in your five card hand and put the rest in your two card hand.
If you have a flush, put the lowest cards that complete the flush in your hand (5 card) and the remaining cards into your other, two card hand.

If you are ready to start playing, make sure to take a look at our best Pai Gow sites section to pick a casinos that fits your needs. If you would rather learn more about the game, then head over to our more in-depth Pai Gow Poker Strategy section.