How To Play Pai Gow Poker

If you wander through the table games section of any major casino, you will eventually discover the slow, methodical game of Pai Gow Poker.


Because the game frequently results in a "push" (a tie), the variance is incredibly low, making it difficult to lose money quickly.

The Basics: Building Two Separate Hands

After placing a bet, every player at the table, along with the dealer, receives exactly seven cards face down.


If you place a pair of Aces in your two-card hand, but only have King-high in your five-card hand, you automatically forfeit the round.

The five-card hand is called the "High" hand, the "Back" hand, or the "Big" handThe two-card hand is called the "Low" hand, the "Front" hand, or the "Small" handThe joker can only be used to complete a straight, a flush, or act as an Ace
How the Dealer Plays Their Cards

However, you do not need to be a math genius; every casino has a strict, printed rulebook detailing exactly how the dealer must set their hand.


Playing the House Way is mathematically sound and ensures you never make a terrible, highly unprofitable mistake when splitting a difficult hand.

The Most Relaxing Game in the Casino

Because analyzing and setting seven cards takes time, the dealer deals significantly fewer hands per hour compared to blackjack.


It is essentially the ultimate "hangout" game on the casino floor, requiring very little mental energy once you understand the basic mechanics.

Hand ComparisonOutcome for PlayerFinancial ResultWin High, Win LowVictoryPayout 1:1 (Minus 5% Commission)Win High, Lose LowPushOriginal Bet Returned

By utilizing the Joker effectively and understanding when to split two pairs, you can enjoy this fascinating game for hours on end.