How To Play Pai Gow Poker At The Casino

Walking through the table games section, you will often see players relaxed and chatting around the Pai Gow Poker table.


It is the ideal game for players who want to sit, enjoy free drinks, and play for hours without risking massive losses.

Understanding the Deal and the Rules

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus one single Joker which acts as a semi-wild card.


Your objective is to separate your seven cards into two distinct hands: a five-card 'high' hand and a two-card 'low' hand.

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.


If you are dealt a full house, you should almost always split it: put the three-of-a-kind in the back and the pair 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.