Pai Gow Poker is a casino game that blends Chinese dominoes with American poker. Created in 1985 by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in Los Angeles, it quickly spread to Las Vegas and beyond.
The game’s name comes from the Chinese domino game “pai gow,” but uses playing cards instead.
In Pai Gow Poker, players aim to beat the dealer by forming two winning hands from seven cards: a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The game is known for its slow pace and frequent ties, making it a low-risk option for gamblers.
Its popularity has led to various online versions and casino apps. By 2022, an estimated 82% of Pai Gow Poker games in Las Vegas had switched to a face-up variant, which is faster and has a slightly lower house edge of 1.8%.
Game Setup and Rules of Pai Gow Poker
Now let’s take a closer look at how Pai Gow Poker works!
1. Deck Composition
The game uses a standard 52-card deck plus one joker, making 53 cards total. The joker is special – it can be an ace or help complete a straight or flush. This wild card adds excitement and more chances to make strong hands.
2. Table Layout and Player Positions
A Pai Gow Poker table usually has spots for six players and the dealer. Each spot has two areas marked for placing your hands. The dealer’s spot is often marked with a special symbol called a “chung“.
3. Dealing Procedure
Here’s how the cards are dealt:
The dealer shuffles the deck.
They shake a dice cup or use a random number generator to decide who gets dealt first.
Starting from that spot, the dealer gives out seven cards to each player and themselves, going clockwise.
This way of dealing makes sure it’s fair and random for everyone.
4. Hand Formation
Now comes the tricky part – making your hands! You need to split your seven cards into two hands:
A five-card “high” hand (also called the back hand)
A two-card “low” hand (also called the front hand)
The big rule is that your high hand must be stronger than your low hand. For example, if you have two pairs, the bigger pair goes in the high hand. Here’s how you rank the hands: Five-card hand (from best to worst):
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Two-card hand (from best to worst):
- Pair
- High Card
Let’s look at an example:You’re dealt: A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♦ 9♦ 8♦You could set your hands like this:
- High hand: A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♦ (Flush)
- Low hand: 9♦ 8♦ (High Card)
This follows the rule because a flush is stronger than high cards.Once you’ve set your hands, place them face down on the table. The five-card hand goes in the back, and the two-card hand goes in front. You can’t touch your cards after this!
Remember: If you set your hands wrong (like putting a stronger hand in front), it’s called a “foul” and you automatically lose.
The dealer will help if you’re not sure how to set your hands. They’ll use the “House Way,” which is a set of rules for the best way to play.
Hand Rankings and Scoring in Pai Gow Poker
Let’s explore Pai Gow Poker hands and how to win them!
Standard Poker Hand Rankings
In Pai Gow Poker, we use the same hand rankings as regular poker, but with a twist. Here’s how they stack up, from best to worst:
- Five Aces (Four Aces plus the Joker)
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pair
- One Pair
- High Card
Remember, you’re making two hands: a five-card hand and a two-card hand. Your five-card hand must always be stronger than your two-card hand.
Special Rules for the Joker
The Joker in Pai Gow Poker is like a wild card, but with some limits. Here’s how you can use it:
- It can be an Ace
- It can complete a Straight
- It can complete a Flush
For example, if you have J♥ 10♥ 9♥ 8♥ and the Joker, you can use the Joker as a Q♥ to make a Straight Flush. Pretty cool, right?In your two-card hand, the Joker is always an Ace. No exceptions!
Comparing Player Hands to Banker Hands
After you set your hands, it’s time to see how you stack up against the banker. Here’s how it works:
Your five-card hand is compared to the banker’s five-card hand
Your two-card hand is compared to the banker’s two-card hand
You need to win both comparisons to win your bet. If you win one and lose one, it’s a push (tie), and you get your bet back.
Winning Conditions and Tie-Breakers
Winning in Pai Gow Poker can be a bit tricky. Let’s break it down:
- Win both hands: You win your bet (minus a 5% commission)
- Win one hand, lose one: It’s a push (tie)
- Lose both hands: You lose your bet
But what happens if you tie? Well, in Pai Gow Poker, ties go to the banker. This gives the banker a small edge.
For example, if your five-card hand is A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ (a Royal Flush) and the banker also has a Royal Flush, the banker wins that hand. Tough break!Here’s how to break ties in the two-card hand:
- Pair beats no pair
- If both have a pair, the higher pair wins
- If neither has a pair, compare the highest card
- If the highest cards tie, compare the second card
Remember, if everything is exactly the same, the banker wins.
Putting It All Together
Let’s look at a full example:You’re dealt: A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♦ 9♦ 8♦You could set your hands like this:
- High hand: A♥ K♥ Q♥ J♥ 10♦ (Flush)
- Low hand: 9♦ 8♦ (High Card)
The banker’s hands are:
- High hand: K♠ K♣ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ (Pair of Kings)
- Low hand: A♦ 2♦
In this case:
- You win the high hand (Flush beats Pair)
- You lose the low hand (Ace-high beats 9-high)
Result: It’s a push! You don’t win or lose your bet.
Gameplay Mechanics of Pai Gow Poker
Now let’s take a closer look at how Pai Gow Poker is played at the table!
Setting Hands (Player and Dealer)
After you get your seven cards, it’s time to set your hands. You’ll make two hands:
- A five-card “high” hand
- A two-card “low” hand
Remember, your high hand must be stronger than your low hand. For example, if you have two pairs, the bigger pair goes in the high hand.The dealer sets their hand too, but they follow special rules called the “House Way“.
House Way Rules
The House Way is like a cheat sheet for the dealer. It tells them exactly how to set their hands based on what cards they get. For instance:
With no pair, they put the highest card in the low hand
With one pair, the pair goes in the high hand
With two pairs, they split them unless the high pair is Aces
These rules help the game move faster and keep things fair.
Banking Options
In Pai Gow Poker, you can be the banker! Here’s how it works:
Dealer Banking: The casino is the banker (most common)
Player Banking: A player takes on all bets (rare)
Co-Banking: A player and the casino share the banker role
When you’re the banker, you get to play against everyone else. But watch out – you need a lot of chips to cover all those bets!
Payouts and Commissions
Here’s where the money comes in:
- If you win both hands, you win your bet
- If you lose both hands, you lose your bet
- If you win one and lose one, it’s a tie (push)
But there’s a catch! Most casinos take a 5% commission on winning bets. So if you bet $100 and win, you’d get $95 back plus your original bet.Some casinos offer “commission-free” Pai Gow Poker.
In these games, you don’t pay the 5%, but the rules for winning might be a bit different. For example, in Face Up Pai Gow Poker, if the dealer has an Ace-High Pai Gow (no pairs or better), all player bets push.There are also bonus bets you can make:
Fortune Bonus: Pays if your seven cards make a good hand
Envy Bonus: You win if another player gets a super strong hand
These can pay big! A Royal Flush might pay 1000 to 1 on some bonus bets.Remember, Pai Gow Poker is all about splitting your hand just right and hoping to beat the dealer on both ends. It’s a game of skill and luck, so have fun and may the cards be with you!
Step-By-Step Guide to Play Pai Gow Poker
Here’s how to play Pai Gow Poker in a nutshell:
Place your bet on the table.
The dealer gives you seven cards. You’ll use these to make two hands: a five-card hand and a two-card hand.
Set your hands. Your five-card hand must be stronger than your two-card hand. For example, if you have two pairs, put the higher pair in the five-card hand.
The dealer sets their hands following the House Way rules.
Compare your hands to the dealer’s. You win if both your hands beat the dealer’s. If only one hand wins, it’s a tie. If both lose, you lose your bet.
Strategy and Tactics in Pai Gow Poker
Let’s explore some smart strategies for playing Pai Gow Poker and boost your chances of winning!
1. Optimal Hand-Setting Techniques
Setting your hands right is key to winning at Pai Gow Poker. Here are some tips:
Split pairs most of the time, unless you have Aces. For example, if you have two pairs like Queens and Eights, put the Queens in your high hand and the Eights in your low hand.
Use the Joker wisely. It can be an Ace or help make a straight or flush. Put it where it makes your hands strongest.
When you have a straight or flush, sometimes it’s better to break it up. For instance, with K♦ 9♦ 8♦ 5♦ 5♣ 4♥ 4♦, play the two pairs instead of the flush.
If the dealer has a strong hand, try to push (tie) instead of losing. For example, if they have a straight in the high hand and K-Q in the low hand, and you only have a pair of Aces, split them to push.
2. Understanding Probabilities
Knowing your odds can help you make better choices:
- The chance of getting a pair or better in your five-card hand is about 82%.
- You’ll get two pairs or better about 48% of the time.
- The odds of getting a straight or better are around 12%.
Remember, in Face Up Pai Gow Poker, you can see the dealer’s hand before setting yours. This gives you a big advantage in making the right moves.
3. Banking Strategies
Sometimes, you can be the banker in Pai Gow Poker. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Being a banker can lower the house edge, but you need a big bankroll.
When you’re the banker, you play against all other players at the table.
Only bank when you feel confident and have enough chips to cover potential losses.
In some casinos, you can co-bank with the house. This means you share the risk and reward with the casino.
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out for these rookie errors:
Setting your low hand stronger than your high hand. This is a big no-no and will cost you your bet.
Not splitting pairs when you should. Remember, splitting pairs often gives you the best chance to win or push.
Ignoring the dealer’s hand in Face Up Pai Gow. Always look at their cards before setting yours.
Playing face-down Pai Gow instead of face-up. Face-up gives you more info and a better chance to win.
Not using the Fortune Bonus bet. While side bets usually have a higher house edge, the Envy Bonus in Pai Gow can pay off big if another player hits a strong hand.
Variants and Side Bets in Pai Gow Poker
Let’s talk about some exciting variants of Pai Gow Poker that can make your game even more thrilling!
1. Fortune Pai Gow Poker
Fortune Pai Gow Poker is a popular variant that adds a fun bonus bet to the mix. Here’s how it works:
- You make your regular Pai Gow Poker bet.
- You can also place a Fortune Bonus bet.
- This bonus bet is based on your best seven-card hand.
The cool thing about the Fortune Bonus is that you can win even if you lose your main bet!
For example, if you get four of a kind in your seven cards, you could win big on the bonus even if you lose to the dealer. Here’s a sample Fortune Bonus pay table:
- 7 Card Straight Flush: 8,000 to 1
- Royal Flush + Royal Match: 2,000 to 1
- 7 Card Straight Flush with Joker: 1,000 to 1
- 5 Aces: 400 to 1
- Royal Flush: 150 to 1
- Straight Flush: 50 to 1
- Four of a Kind: 25 to 1
- Full House: 5 to 1
- Flush: 4 to 1
- Three of a Kind: 3 to 1
- Straight: 2 to 1
Remember, these payouts can vary from casino to casino, so always check the table rules!
2. Progressive Jackpots
Some Pai Gow Poker games offer a progressive jackpot. This is a big prize that keeps growing until someone wins it. Here’s how it usually works:
You make a small side bet (often $1 or $5) to be eligible for the jackpot.
The jackpot grows as more people play and don’t win.
You win the jackpot by getting a super rare hand, like a seven-card royal flush.
For example, at the Venetian Las Vegas, they’ve had a progressive jackpot that’s reached over $1 million! Imagine winning that with just a $5 bet. It’s like hitting the lottery while playing poker!
3. Envy Bonus
The Envy Bonus is a clever twist that lets you win money based on other players’ hands. Here’s how it works:
- You need to make a Fortune Bonus bet of at least $5.
- The dealer puts an “Envy” button next to your bet.
- If any other player at the table gets a super strong hand (usually four of a kind or better), you win an Envy Bonus!
For example, if someone at your table gets five aces, you might win $50 just for being there. It’s like getting paid to be jealous of someone else’s good luck! Here’s a sample Envy Bonus pay table:
- 7 Card Straight Flush: $5,000
- Royal Flush + Royal Match: $1,000
- 7 Card Straight Flush with Joker: $500
- 5 Aces: $250
- Royal Flush: $50
- Straight Flush: $20
- Four of a Kind: $5
The best part? You can win multiple Envy Bonuses in one round if more than one player hits a qualifying hand. Just remember, you can’t win an Envy Bonus for your own hand or the dealer’s hand.
4. Face-Up Pai Gow Poker
Face-Up Pai Gow Poker is a twist on the game that gives players a big advantage. Here’s what makes it special:
- The dealer shows their cards face up before you set your hand.
- You get to see the dealer’s hand before deciding how to play yours.
- There’s no 5% commission on winning bets.
This variant is great for players because it lowers the house edge to about 1.8%. That’s one of the best odds you’ll find in a casino! Here are some key rules for Face-Up Pai Gow Poker:
If the dealer has an Ace-High Pai Gow (no pairs or better), all player bets push. This means you don’t lose your bet, even if the dealer’s hand is better than yours!
The joker is still wild, just like in regular Pai Gow Poker.
You can still make Fortune Bonus and Envy Bonus bets.
For example, let’s say the dealer shows:
- High hand: A♠ K♠ Q♦ J♥ 10♣
- Low hand: 9♦ 8♥
You have:
- A♥ A♦ K♥ Q♥ J♦ 10♦ 2♣
Now you can set your hand to beat the dealer:
- High hand: A♥ A♦ K♥ Q♥ J♦
- Low hand: 10♦ 2♣
You’ll win both hands and your bet! Remember, in Face-Up Pai Gow Poker, you should always try to beat the dealer’s high hand first. If you can’t beat both hands, try to push (tie) one hand and win the other.
These variants and side bets make Pai Gow Poker even more exciting. They give you more ways to win and can lead to some big payouts.
Just remember to manage your bankroll and never bet more than you can afford to lose. With a little luck and smart play, you might just hit that jackpot or Envy Bonus!
Online and Mobile Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker has gone digital, and boy, is it a hit! You can now play this fun casino game right on your smartphone or computer. Apps like Pai Gow Poker Classic Casino and Pai Gow Poker Casino bring the excitement of Las Vegas to your fingertips. These apps are super realistic – you’ll feel like you’re sitting at a real casino table!
But there are some cool differences from live play. For one, you can practice for free with bonus chips. Many apps give you 100,000 chips just for signing up!
Plus, you can play anytime, anywhere – no need to dress up and drive to the casino. Some apps even have special features like Face Up mode, where you can see the dealer’s cards before setting your hand. That’s not something you’d find in a real casino!
Popular platforms like the App Store and Google Play offer tons of Pai Gow Poker games. Some of the best-rated ones have awesome graphics and sound effects that make you feel like you’re really there.
They also offer side bets like the Fortune Bonus, which can pay up to 8,000 to 1 if you’re lucky! One cool thing about online play is that the app can help you set your hand using the House Way. This takes the guesswork out of the game, especially for newbies.
Some apps even let you play at high-stakes tables as you level up. With all these features, it’s no wonder that digital Pai Gow Poker is becoming more popular than ever
Conclusion
Pai Gow Poker is a real hit in the casino world, and it’s easy to see why! This game mixes the best of Chinese dominoes and American poker, giving players a fun and exciting experience.
With its slow pace and frequent ties, it’s perfect for folks who want to make their money last. The future looks bright for Pai Gow Poker, both in brick-and-mortar casinos and online.
New versions like Face Up Pai Gow are popping up, giving players even better odds. And with mobile apps making it easy to play anywhere, anytime, more people are falling in love with this game every day.
Whether you’re a high roller or just looking for some fun, Pai Gow Poker has something for everyone!
