If you enjoy poker but want a slower-paced, lower-volatility casino game with a unique twist, Pai Gow Poker might be your ideal game. Blending traditional poker rules with the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow, this table game offers plenty of opportunities to reduce the house edge with smart strategy and patience. Here’s a quick overview of how to play as well as some probabilities and strategies to give you a great start to winning ant Pai Gow!
The Basics: How the Game Works
Pai Gow Poker is typically played with a 53-card deck (standard 52 cards plus a single joker) and pits the player against the dealer, not other players. The game begins with each player receiving seven cards. The objective is to split these seven cards into two poker hands:
- A five-card “high” hand (also called the “back” hand)
- A two-card “low” hand (also called the “front” hand)
The only rule for splitting is that your five-card hand must rank higher than your two-card hand. For example, if you had a pair of Kings and a pair of 8s, you must place the Kings in the five-card hand and the 8s in the two-card hand.
The dealer (or “bank”) does the same, and both hands are then compared:
If both of your hands beat both of the dealer’s hands, you win.
If one hand wins and one hand loses, it’s a push (no money lost or won).
If both hands lose, you lose your wager.
If there’s a tie in any hand, the dealer wins (house advantage).
The Role of the Joker
The joker in Pai Gow Poker isn’t fully wild. It can only be used as an ace, or to complete a straight, flush, or straight flush. This limited use keeps the probabilities of strong hands fairly close to those in standard poker.
House Edge and Payouts
Pai Gow Poker is known for a low house edge, making it a popular choice for players who want to extend their bankrolls. The house edge is typically around 2.5% when playing against the dealer and can be as low as 1.5% if you’re banking (which players are sometimes allowed to do). In many casinos, a 5% commission is taken from winning hands when you beat the dealer, which slightly impacts your expected returns.
Most bets pay even money. Some versions offer bonus side bets (like a “Fortune Bonus”), which pay based on premium hands like four-of-a-kind or a full house. While fun, these have a much higher house edge (upwards of 7-10%) and aren’t recommended for strategic players.
Pai Gow Hand Probabilities
Understanding the likelihood of specific hands helps inform how to split them effectively. Here are rough probabilities for seven-card hands in Pai Gow Poker:
Hand Probability
- High card only 32.33%
- One pair 43.82%
- Two pair 23.50%
- Three of a kind 4.83%
- Straight 4.62%
- Flush 3.03%
- Full house 2.60%
- Four of a kind 0.17%
- Straight flush 0.03%
- Five Aces (w/joker) 0.0015%
Over 80% of hands will be one pair or two pair or less. That’s why understanding how to manage two-pair and one-pair hands is key to a strong strategy.
Best Strategy for Playing Pai Gow Poker:
Always Follow the House Way (or Better)
Most casinos use a “house way” to set the dealer’s hand, and you can use similar logic to improve your odds. When in doubt, set your hand conservatively to ensure your two-card hand doesn’t overpower your five-card hand.
Two Pairs: Split Smart
If you have two pairs, whether to split them depends on their ranks:
Split if one pair is Aces, Kings, or Queens.
Split medium pairs (Jacks through 7s) depending on the strength of your other cards.
Keep both in the five-card hand if they’re low pairs (6s or less) unless your two-card hand would be very weak otherwise.
Three of a Kind: Usually Keep Together
Most of the time, you should keep three-of-a-kind in the five-card hand. However, if it’s three Aces, split it into a pair of Aces and one Ace to strengthen your two-card hand.
Full House: Always Split
Always play a full house by putting the three-of-a-kind in the five-card hand and the pair in the two-card hand. This keeps both hands competitive.
Straights and Flushes: Depends
If you have a straight or flush, you might need to break it up if it helps strengthen your two-card hand (such as creating a high pair). This is a judgment call—breaking up a weak straight to make a pair of Aces in the front is often worth it.
Use the Joker Wisely
If you don’t need the joker to complete a straight or flush, use it as an Ace—preferably in the two-card hand, where it can help secure a win.
Banking: Your Secret Weapon
In some Pai Gow games, players can act as the banker, which lets you play against all other players and the dealer.
Being the Banker is a big advantage, because:
- You win on tied hands.
- You control the house edge (slightly in your favor).
- Banking requires a larger bankroll and may be limited to once per round in many casinos. Still, if available, always take the opportunity to bank when possible.
Final Thoughts: Play for Fun, Play for Strategy
Pai Gow Poker is one of the most player-friendly games in the casino. Stick to the best practices, avoid high-house-edge side bets, and consider banking when possible. With proper play, you’ll reduce the house edge to under 2%—and enjoy a social, engaging, and skillful game along the way.
Pro Tip: Learn your hand rankings cold. The biggest mistake beginners make in Pai Gow Poker is incorrectly setting their hands and forfeiting the round.
