How To Play Pai Gow Poker At The Casino

If you are looking for a slow-paced, highly strategic game with a low house edge, Pai Gow Poker is the perfect choice.


The game is famous for its incredibly high number of 'pushes' (ties), meaning your bankroll will last a very long time.

The Basic Rules of Pai Gow Poker

Unlike traditional poker, the Joker can only be used to complete a straight or a flush, otherwise, it is always an Ace.


You must arrange your cards into a five-card back hand and a two-card front hand, following traditional poker rankings.

The dealer must set their hand according to a strict set of casino rules called the 'House Way'If you are confused, you can always ask the dealer to set your hand according to the House Way for youBecause tying is so common, the casino takes a 5% commission on all winning bets to maintain their house edge
How to Optimize Your Pai Gow Hands

The most common mistake beginners make is ignoring their two-card hand, resulting in endless pushes instead of wins.


When dealt a hand with no pairs (a 'Pai Gow'), you put your highest card in the back and your next two highest in the front.

Starting HandFive-Card Hand (High)Two-Card Hand (Low)Pair of Aces & Pair of 4sPair of AcesPair of 4sFull House (Three 8s, Two Kings)Three 8sPair of Kings

By learning how to balance your high and low hands perfectly, you can enjoy one of the best table games in the casino.