Pai Gow Poker Rules

Pai Gow Poker is a popular [casino card game](/) enjoyed by millions worldwide. If you enjoy this game, consider learning [Texas Hold'em](/texas-holdem) and [Blackjack](/blackjack) to expand your repertoire. For poker strategy and industry news, [Card Player Magazine](https://www.cardplayer.com/) provides expert insights.

  • Category: Poker & Casino Games
  • Players: 1
  • Player notes: Player vs Dealer

Objective

Take your 7 cards and arrange them into two poker hands, one 5 card hand and one 2 card hand, that both beat the dealer’s hands. It sounds simple, but the whole charm of this game comes from choosing the right split. A good setup feels almost like solving a small puzzle that rewards patience, instinct and a sharp eye.

Material

  • Standard 52 card deck plus one Joker (53 cards total)

A♠ K♠ Q♠ J♠ 10♠ 9♠ 8♠ 7♠ 6♠ 5♠ 4♠ 3♠ 2♠ joker

  • Betting chips
  • The Joker plays as an Ace, or it can complete a straight, a flush, or a straight flush

Number of Players

You can sit with 2 to 6 players, but everyone plays individually against the dealer. It creates a calm, steady rhythm where every player focuses on their own decisions without worrying too much about the others.

Setup

Each player places an initial bet, usually the same size for everyone. Once the bets are down, the dealer hands out 7 face down cards to each player and to themselves. The moment you lift your cards, the fun begins, because you already start imagining how to shape them into two hands that work together instead of against each other.

How to Play

Once you see your 7 cards, you divide them into:

  • High Hand: A 5 card poker hand, which must be the stronger of your two hands
  • Low Hand: A 2 card hand, which must be weaker than your 5 card hand

Critical Rule: Your 5 card hand must outrank your 2 card hand. If the order is wrong, your hand is considered foul and you lose instantly.

After every player sets their hands, the dealer reveals their cards and arranges them following the casino’s “house way.”

Results:

  • Win both hands: You win your bet (minus a 5 percent commission)
  • Win one and lose one: Push, and your bet is returned
  • Lose both: Lose your entire bet
  • Exact copy with the dealer: Dealer wins that hand automatically

Scoring

5 Card Hand: Uses regular poker rankings, with the Joker acting as described 2 Card Hand: Can only be a pair or a high card hand

The Joker, often called the “Bug,” can:

  • Act as an Ace
  • Complete straights
  • Complete flushes
  • Complete straight flushes

Ending the Game

Each round stands alone. Whenever you win a hand, the house takes a 5 percent commission. For example, if you win $100, you’re paid $95.

Variants

Fortune Pai Gow Poker: Includes a popular side bet on rare 7 card hands, like a 7 card straight flush Emperor’s Challenge: Another themed side bet with its own payout structure No Commission Version: Changes the pay table so wins require no 5 percent fee

Hand Setting Strategy

Optimal splitting guide:

| Back Hand (5) | Front Hand (2) | Example | |---------------|----------------|---------| | Royal Flush | Best pair | A♠K♠Q♠J♠10♠ + 8♣8♦ | | Straight Flush | Next best pair | 9♥8♥7♥6♥5♥ + K♠Q♠ | | Four of Kind Aces | Pair in front | A♣A♦A♥A♠K♠ + Q♥J♥ | | Four of Kind (non Aces) | Keep together | 8♣8♦8♥8♠A♠ + K♥Q♥ | | Full House | Split pair from set | K♣K♦K♥8♠8♦ → KKK in back, 88 in front | | Two Pair | Split if both are high | K♣K♦8♠8♦A♥ → KK in back, 88 in front | | One Pair | Pair in back | K♣K♦A♠Q♥8♦ → KK in back, AQ in front |

House Way rules vary between casinos, so it’s always worth learning the local version.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pai Gow Poker?

Pai Gow Poker mixes the spirit of the original Chinese game with classic poker. You receive seven cards and shape them into two hands: a stronger five card high hand and a weaker two card low hand. The whole charm of the game comes from finding the right balance so your low hand stays below your high hand while still giving you a real shot at beating the dealer.

How do you win in Pai Gow Poker?

You win when both of your hands beat both of the dealer’s hands. If you take one hand each, the round simply ends in a push and no chips move. When the dealer wins both hands, you lose the bet. Because pushes happen often, the game feels relaxed and gives you time to think.

What is the house way?

The house way is the default system the dealer must follow to arrange their two hands. If you ever feel unsure about how to set your own cards, you can ask to place them the house way. It offers a steady, sensible approach that many players rely on while they learn the game.

Can you be the banker in Pai Gow?

Yes, many casinos allow players to take turns acting as the banker. When you bank, you face every other player at the table, which gives you a small mathematical edge. This twist adds a fun layer of strategy and lets the game feel more social and interactive.

What is the Joker in Pai Gow Poker?

The Joker is not fully wild. It can help you complete a straight or a flush, and if not used that way, it simply counts as an Ace. This limited flexibility gives the game its own flavor and creates moments where the Joker becomes surprisingly valuable.

What is the house edge?

The house edge sits around 2.84 percent once you include the usual 5 percent commission on winning hands. Thanks to the high number of pushes, often more than forty percent of rounds, Pai Gow Poker tends to stretch your bankroll and creates a slow, steady rhythm that many players enjoy.