Walking through the table games section, you will often see players relaxed and chatting around the Pai Gow Poker table.
The game is famous for its incredibly high number of 'pushes' (ties), meaning your bankroll will last a very long time.
The Basic Rules of Pai Gow Poker
Unlike traditional poker, the Joker can only be used to complete a straight or a flush, otherwise, it is always an Ace.
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 you
- Because tying is so common, the casino takes a 5% commission on all winning bets to maintain their house edge
Basic Strategy for Setting Your Cards
The strategy in Pai Gow revolves entirely around making your two-card hand as strong as legally possible without fouling.
When dealt a hand with no pairs (a 'Pai Gow'), you put your highest card in the back and your next two highest in the front.
| Dealt Cards | Optimal Setting Strategy | Reasoning |
|---|
| Three of a Kind (Aces) | Pair of Aces | Single Ace (Highest possible low hand) |
| Straight with no pair | The Straight | The two remaining highest cards |
By learning how to balance your high and low hands perfectly, you can enjoy one of the best table games in the casino.