Pai Gow Poker blends the ancient Chinese gambling tradition of Pai Gow with classic poker hand rankings. Originating from a Chinese domino game played with a 32-piece set, Pai Gow has been popular throughout Asia for centuries. In the 1980s, American casinos introduced Pai Gow Poker—often called Double-Hand Poker—by adding a standard deck of 52 cards plus one Joker. The choice of name highlights its Chinese heritage while signaling its poker roots.
This casino game’s design is unique: players compete against a designated Banker rather than each other. With seating for up to six bettors (plus the Dealer), each participant takes turns acting as the Banker.
Because players collectively win or lose against the Banker’s hands, Pai Gow Poker fosters a social vibe—cheers go up when a single player beats the dealer, and the group celebrates a collective victory when someone’s lucky pair of aces or royal flush prevails.
In this guide, you’ll discover Pai Gow Poker rules, strategies to minimize the house edge, insights into Pai Gow Poker payouts, and practical tips so you can start playing Pai Gow Poker like a pro.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker
Playing Pai Gow Poker involves a series of straightforward steps, but each decision—especially how you set their hands—matters. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
1. Banker Selection and Shuffling
One player is chosen as the Banker; all others aim to beat the Banker’s hands rather than each other.
The Dealer shuffles the 53-card deck (52 cards + Joker) and deals seven face-down cards to each of seven positions—one for each player seat, even if unoccupied.
The remaining four cards are placed face-down into the discard rack.
2. Placing Bets and Rolling Dice
At this point, any player who wants to wager must place their chip(s) in the betting circle.
The Dealer rolls three dice; the sum determines which player receives the first hand. Starting from the Banker’s position, the count proceeds counter clockwise through each seat—occupied or not—until the total from the dice is reached.
3. Collecting Empty Hands
Once dealing is done, the Dealer picks up the cards from any empty seats (players who didn’t place a bet) and discards them.
4. Arranging Your Two Hands
Each active player now has seven cards and must split them into two poker hands:
A “High Five-Card Hand” (your best possible five-card poker hand).
A “Low Two-Card Hand” (the remaining two cards).
The Joker acts as a wildcard: it can count as an Ace or complete a Straight, Flush, or Straight Flush.
Important: Your High Hand must outrank your Low Hand. If you accidentally create a “Foul Hand” (Low Hand stronger than High Hand), you automatically lose.
5. Dealer’s “House Way” Setup
After players set their hands, the Dealer reveals the Banker’s cards and arranges them according to the casino’s House Way—a standardized set of rules dictating how to split the Banker’s seven cards into a 5-card and a 2-card hand.
If you touch your cards after the Dealer exposes the Banker’s hand, it counts as a misplay, and you forfeit the round.
6. Comparing Hands
In turn, each player flips both their hands to compare against the Banker’s corresponding hands.
The Low Hand vs. Low Hand and High Hand vs. High Hand are adjudicated separately:
If both your low and high hands beat the Banker’s, you win even money.
If both your low and high hands lose to the Banker’s, the Dealer wins, and you lose your wager.
If you win one hand but lose the other, it’s a “Push”—no one wins or loses.
If either of your hands ties the Banker’s hand exactly (a “Copy” hand), the Banker wins that matchup.
By blending skillful card arrangement with a bit of luck, Pai Gow Poker offers an engaging gambling experience where poker hands meet a communal competition against the Banker.
Pai Gow Poker Hand Rankings
Knowing hand rankings is essential to play Pai Gow Poker well. The game follows traditional poker hierarchy, with one twist: because of the Joker, Five-of-a-Kind (four Aces plus the Joker) becomes the highest hand. Here is the complete Pai Gow Poker ranking list, from strongest to weakest:
Five-of-a-Kind (e.g., Four Aces + Joker)
Royal Straight Flush (Ace–King–Queen–Jack–10, all same suit)
Straight Flush (Five consecutive cards in one suit)
Four-of-a-Kind (e.g., four Kings)
Full House (Three-of-a-Kind + a Pair)
Flush (Any five cards of the same suit)
Straight (Five consecutive cards, mixed suits)
Three-of-a-Kind (e.g., three Queens)
Two Pair (e.g., pair of 9s and pair of 5s)
One Pair (e.g., pair of 7s)
High Card (When no other hand is made)
Because the Joker substitutes as an Ace or completes a Straight, Flush, or Straight Flush, it can be especially valuable. For instance, holding Ace–King–Queen–Joker–10 all in hearts qualifies as a Royal Flush.
Understanding these rankings—especially the unique nature of pair of aces versus two pair—is vital for beating the dealer and maximizing Pai Gow Poker payouts.
Pai Gow Poker Side Bets: House Edge & Payouts
Beyond the main wager, many casinos offer optional side bets in Pai Gow Poker. Popular examples include “Fortune Bonus,” “Emperor’s Challenge,” and “Dragon Bonus.” These extras let you speculate on specific outcomes—like whether your High Hand forms a Full House or Flush, or if the Dealer’s hand has a high-ranking combination.
Fortune Pai Gow: Pays if your 7-card combination hits certain hands (e.g., Three-of-a-Kind or better).
Emperor’s Challenge: Rewards you based on the strength of a single 5-card subset drawn from your seven cards (often the best possible 5-card hand).
Dragon Bonus: Payouts depend on making a Straight or Flush in your High Five-Card Hand.
While side bets can offer tempting payouts, they usually carry a steeper house edge than the main game. Always check each wager’s odds and payout tables before placing a side bet. As a general rule, the more generous the payout, the higher the house edge—so practice restraint and view side bets as an occasional splurge rather than an everyday strategy.
Pai Gow Poker Tips & Strategies
Though luck plays a major role in any card game, applying proven Pai Gow Poker strategy can tilt the odds in your favor. Below are some essential tips to help you refine your approach:
1. Master the Hand Rankings
Before you even sit down, ensure you know the full hierarchy of highest ranking cards in Pai Gow Poker. Recognize that a Five-of-a-Kind outranks a Royal Straight Flush, and that a Full House is stronger than a Flush. This knowledge lets you split your cards more effectively when you set their hands.
2. Split Your Cards Wisely
Your top priority is to arrange the strongest possible High Five-Card Hand while still maintaining a respectable Low Two-Card Hand. A smart rule of thumb: if you have a made Three-of-a-Kind (e.g., three Jacks), place two of them in the High Hand and one with your second-best card in the Low Hand. This often gives you a fighting chance to win both matchups—beating the dealer on both ends.
3. Leverage the Joker
The Joker is incredibly versatile—it acts as an Ace king queen when needed or completes a Straight, Flush, or Straight Flush. When you get the Joker, ask yourself: “Does turning it into an Ace help my Low Hand, or should I use it to finish a Straight in my High Hand?” For instance, if you hold Ace–2–3–4–Joker, using the Joker as a 5 completes a Straight, which almost always belongs in your High Hand.
4. Follow the “House Way” (When Unsure)
If you’re new to Pai Gow Poker rules, many casinos display the Dealer’s House Way chart—which explains exactly how to split each possible 7-card combination. Mimicking the House Way when you’re undecided can reduce disastrous mistakes (like creating a Foul Hand). Over time, though, adapt your play slightly above the House Way, because small deviations—like pushing a promising Two Pair into your Low Hand—can yield better results.
5. Know When to Play Conservatively
Sometimes safeguarding your wager means playing Pai Gow Poker defensively. Suppose you have a strong High Hand (like a Full House) and a weak Low Hand (just two low cards). In that scenario, keep your Full House intact and place the two low cards in the Low Hand. This tactic ensures you’re likely to win your High Hand even if the Low Hand loses—avoiding a swing where the Dealer wins both.
6. Know When to Take Risks
Conversely, you can adopt a riskier posture when your Low Two-Card Hand seems strong. If you hold Ace–King as your two best cards, consider making that your Low Hand (a high pair of aces in effect), and then build a more marginal High Hand from the remaining five cards. If both hands win, you’ll be paid double even money. Risk-taking can be profitable when your Low Hand is exceptionally strong compared to the average.
7. Keep an Eye on the Banker’s Hands
Since you and other players all play against the Banker, watching how the Dealer breaks their cards—according to the House Way—can inform your strategy. For instance, if the Banker consistently sets up for a High Five-Card Hand that’s a Flush, you might allocate your cards to maximize your chance of beating the dealer on the Low Hand instead.
8. Track Your Results and Adjust
Over time, track how often you win both hands, lose both hands, or push. If your rate of “Push” is unusually high, consider adjusting your splitting strategy to tilt more frequently toward winning one hand decisively. While tracking requires discipline, it can teach you patterns—like how often a pair of aces truly matters—so you can refine your approach.
Pai Gow Poker House Edge & Payouts
Understanding the Pai Gow Poker house edge and payout structure is crucial before you place real money on the table:
Standard Game: With proper play (following basic strategy for splitting), Pai Gow Poker’s house edge typically hovers around 1.5%–2.5%. This makes it one of the more player-friendly casino games.
Side Bets: These often carry a much higher house edge—sometimes exceeding 4%–6% depending on the bet (e.g., Dragon Bonus or Emperor’s Challenge). While jackpots for a royal flush or Five-of-a-Kind pay well, the odds are steep.
As for Pai Gow Poker payouts, the main game pays 1:1 when you win both hands. If you push, your original bet is returned. You lose your bet if the Banker wins both matchups or copies either of your hands. Side bets pay according to a pre-set schedule; for instance, a Fortune Bonus might return 30:1 for a Three-of-a-Kind or 150:1 for a Straight Flush. Always review each casino’s paytable before wagering.
Get Ready to Play Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a measured, easygoing game—each hand often takes several minutes—yet it’s rich with strategic depth. Whether you’re an experienced gambler looking to diversify your poker hands repertoire, or a newcomer curious about beating the dealer with two concurrent hands, Pai Gow Poker offers the perfect blend of skill and luck.
Practice Online: Many online casinos let you play Pai Gow Poker for free. Use this to experiment with different splitting techniques—see what happens when you play the highest pair in your Low Hand versus the alternative of pushing those cards into your High Five-Card Hand.
Watch the Banker: Observe how the Dealer arranges their seven cards counter clockwise according to the House Way. Even subtle insights—like the Dealer consistently setting a Full House—can tip you off how to adjust your play.
Join a Table: Once you’re comfortable, try your luck at a live table. The social energy—everyone rooting for the player who’s Banker—makes Pai Gow Poker a uniquely communal experience.
In short, with a little practice, you’ll be managing two hands like a seasoned pro—sorting out a competitive High Hand while ensuring your Low Hand isn’t a liability. Soon enough, you’ll feel confident enough to place that wager, challenge the Banker, and maybe even pocket double even-money payouts.
Ready to try your luck? Log into your favorite online casino or head to a brick-and-mortar venue. Whether you’re chasing a royal flush, aiming for a pair of aces, or simply looking for a fun, strategic game, Pai Gow Poker has you covered. Good luck, and remember: the key to success lies in mastering how to split those seven cards into two, making every decision count toward beating the Banker!
