How to Play Pai Gow Poker

Learning how to play Pai Gow Poker is quick and easy, especially if you’re already familiar with other formats of the game.  But there are some important differences in this player-versus-dealer version of poker. Learn how to play, the rules, the hand rankings, Pai Gow strategy and more.

What is Pai Gow Poker?

Pai Gow Poker is a popular card game that combines all the best elements of traditional poker with the Chinese game of Pai Gow. In classic poker, players compete against other players. But in Pai Gow Poker, we play against the dealer. Our main objective is to create two winning hands from the seven cards we’re dealt.

The game uses a standard 52-card deck but adds in one joker that can be used to complete straights and flushes. Pai Gow is enjoyed by many players for its low volatility of play, which is unique compared to other poker variants. There are many “pushes” where we tie with the dealer, allowing for longer gameplay and a ton of fun.

How to Play Pai Gow Poker Online

If you’re already familiar with how to play Texas Hold’em, adapting to learn how to play Pai Gow Poker shouldn’t be too tricky. There are some significant differences, which we’ll explain in this Pai Gow Poker guide. But knowing how to play poker will certainly give you a head start.

Aim of the Game in Pai Gow Poker

Our goal is simple: beat the dealer’s hand by creating two strong hands. Each player is dealt seven cards that must be split into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand.

The Pai Gow house edge is about 2.84%. This means players enjoy a good amount of playtime due to the high number of “Pushes” or ties.

The Basics of Pai Gow Poker

Dealing

Players place their bets. The dealer then distributes seven cards face down to each player while moving counterclockwise around the table. Once everyone has their cards, they must set their five-card high hand and their two-card low hand before the showdown.

Setting Your Hand

Here’s where the strategy and the fun come in. Players must arrange their hands into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand, but don’t forget:

Pai Gow Poker Showdown

Once everyone has set their hands, the dealer reveals their cards. We then compare the dealer’s hand to our own. We can win, push, or lose.

The Rules of Pai Gow Poker

As with any game, Pai Gow Poker has rules that must be followed. Some of these may sound tricky, but most people catch on very quickly.

Pai Gow Poker Hand Rankings

If you already know how to play poker, you’re likely familiar with the hand rankings. They’re essentially the same as Texas Hold’em, but in Pai Gow Poker you have one hand that beats the Royal Flush, which is “five aces” – albeit Pai Gow odds mean this is extremely rare to hit.

Here’s a quick refresher for the experienced players or a reference for all the new players.

Hand Rankings Table

Hand	Description	Example
Fives Aces	The ultimate in Pai Gow Poker: Four aces plus the joker.	A♥A♦A♣A♠ + Joker
Royal Flush	A straight flush specifically running from 10 to ace.	A♥K♥Q♥J♥10♥
Straight Flush	Five cards in sequential order, all of the same suit.	9♠8♠7♠6♠5♠
Four-of-a-Kind	Four cards of the same value.	10♠10♦10♣10♥7♦
Full House	Three-of-a-kind plus a pair.	K♣K♠K♦8♥8♦
Flush	Five cards of the same suit. The cards do not have to be in any order.	Q♦J♦7♦3♦2♦
Straight	Five cards of any suit in sequential order. Aces can be attached to either 2-3-4-5 or 10-J-Q-K. The higher the straight, the stronger your hand.	Q♥J♥10♦9♠8♠
Three-of-a-Kind	Three cards of the same value.	5♠5♥5♣A♦9♠
Two Pair	Two sets of two cards of the same value.	10♠10♦8♠8♥Q♠
Pair	Two cards of the same value.	A♥A♣J♥6♠3♣
High Card	With no made hand, the highest card wins. In this instance, aces are the highest card possible.	A♦Q♠8♥7♥4♠

On top of this, you can place side bets with various payouts, based on how difficult they are to hit. Here are the side bets and accompanying Pai Gow payouts.

Pai Gow Side Bets

Hand	Description	Payout
7 Card Straight Flush	Five consecutive cards of the same suit	8,000 to 1
Royal Flush and Royal Match	A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit	2,000 to 1
7 Card Straight Flush w/ Joker	Five consecutive cards, including a joker	1,000 to 1
5 Aces	Five aces	400 to 1
Royal Flush	A, K, Q, J, 10 of the same suit	150 to 1
Straight Flush	Five consecutive cards of the same suit	50 to 1
Four of a Kind	Four cards of the same rank	25 to 1
Full House	Three of a kind plus a pair	5 to 1
Flush	Five cards of the same suit	4 to 1
Three of a Kind	Three cards of the same rank	3 to 1
Straight	Five consecutive cards	2 to 1

Types of Pai Gow Poker

Here are some of the most popular variants of Pai Gow Poker. Each has its own quirks and side bets, so it’s worth checking out your options.

Pai Gow Poker Tips & Strategies

Once you’ve figured out how to play Pai Gow Poker, it’s time to develop your game. Our experts have put together five simple tips to quickly improve your Pai Gow strategy, even if you’re a relative newcomer to the game.

1. The Basics of Hand Setting: We can’t forget that the high hand must beat the low hand. However, we should always focus on balancing our hands rather than trying to maximize the strength of just one.
2. Use the Joker Wisely: Use the joker to complete straights and flushes. If neither of those options are available, we typically want to treat the joker as an ace.
3. Don’t Split Pairs: If you have a single pair, don’t split it up. Use it in your five-card high hand along with the other three highest-ranking cards in your hand.
4. Consider Breaking Full Houses: We know this seems counterproductive as a full house is typically one of the strongest hands we can make. However, we want to win both the high and the low hand. If you are dealt a full house, our experts want you to consider breaking it up into three of a kind in your high hand and a pair in your low hand. This will increase your chances of winning both hands.
5. Be Aware of the Push: One of the best parts about Pai Gow Poker is the frequent number of pushes. This allows for longer playtime and better bankroll management.

Where to Play Pai Gow Poker

If you’re looking to play Pai Gow Poker online, you have quite a few options. Our experts have found some top places to play a Pai Gow card game. Each platform offers a different combination of Pai Gow variants, a user-friendly playing experience, and many bonus offers for new players. We’ve chosen a selection of the best US casinos which also happen to offer Pai Gow Poker.

1. Ignition Casino: Ignition features Pai Gow Poker and real-money online poker. It offers an easy-to-use interface and attractive bonuses for new players.
2. BetOnline: BetOnline has a new VIP program rewarding players across multiple tiers. With a variety of Pai Gow games.
3. Bovada: Bovada offers different welcome bonuses, including three 100% bonuses for Pai Gow Poker. The site provides a smooth gaming experience and various payment options.
4. Wild Casino: Wild Casino is a top spot for playing Pai Gow Poker for real money in 2024, with multiple game variants.

Pai Gow vs. Texas Hold’em

Yes, both games fall under the poker umbrella but differ significantly. In Texas Hold’em, which is available at all the best online poker sites in the US, players compete against each other. In Pai Gow, we’re up against the dealer – with no bluffing involved at all.

Additionally, in Pai Gow Poker, players are dealt seven cards to make two hands. In Texas Hold’em, we are dealt two hole cards and five community cards that all players can use.

Both games offer unique strategies, and your approach to winning is very different. However, the basic hand rankings of poker can be used in both games.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve discussed the fundamentals of how and where to play Pai Gow Poker, you should feel more confident about diving in and competing. Remember, a lot of strategy is involved, but luck also plays a significant role. So, always play responsibly.

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