Last Updated on September 25, 2026 by Bala Kumar
What Is Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a casino card game where you get seven cards and build two poker hands from them: a five-card hand and a two-card hand. To win your bet, both of your hands must beat the dealer’s matching hands. If you win one hand and lose the other, the result is a push, so your original wager is returned.
Pushes are what make the game feel so different from most casino games. They happen often, roughly 41% of the time according to published probability tables. As a result, the game moves at a steady, unhurried pace and money changes hands less often than at many other tables. If you enjoy poker hands but want a slower game than blackjack, Pai Gow Poker is worth learning.
Pai Gow Poker at a Glance
| Topic | Details |
| Deck | 52 cards plus one joker (53 cards) |
| Cards dealt | 7 to each player and the dealer |
| Your hands | 2: a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand |
| Main rule | The five-card hand must rank higher than the two-card hand |
| Opponent | The banker (usually the dealer, sometimes a player) |
| To win | Beat both of the banker’s hands |
| Push | Win one hand and lose the other; your wager is returned |
| Ties (copies) | Go to the banker |
| Payout | Even money, minus a 5% commission in the classic game |
| House edge | About 2.84% for a player in the classic game. |
A Quick Bit of History
Pai Gow Poker was created in 1985 by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in Los Angeles. He based it on Pai Gow, a traditional Chinese game played with dominoes, and replaced the tiles with a standard deck of cards so players familiar with poker could pick it up quickly. It soon spread to Las Vegas and is now offered in land-based casinos around the world and in many online casino lobbies.
Pai Gow Poker Terms You Should Know
- Banker: The person whose hands everyone else plays against. Usually the dealer, but some casinos let players take a turn.
- Banking: Choosing to act as the banker for a round. The banker plays against every other bet at the table.
- House Way: The fixed set of rules the dealer must follow when setting their hands. Players can usually ask for their own hand to be set this way.
- High Hand: Your five-card hand, also called the back hand or big hand.
- Low Hand: Your two-card hand, also called the front hand, small hand or “hair”.
- Push: When you win one hand and lose the other. Your original wager is returned.
- Copy: When your hand exactly matches the banker’s hand. Copies are won by the banker.
- Foul: A hand set incorrectly, usually because the two-card hand outranks the five-card hand.
- Joker: The 53rd card. In the standard game it can be used as an ace or to complete a straight, flush or straight flush.
- Commission: The 5% fee the house takes from winning bets in the classic game.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker, Step by Step
- Place your bet. Put your main wager in the betting circle. Add a side bet now if you want one.
- Get seven cards. Everyone at the table, including the dealer, receives seven cards face down. In many live casinos, a dice roll or random number decides where dealing starts.
- Set your two hands. Split your seven cards into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand.
- Check the main rule. Your five-card hand must rank higher than your two-card hand. If your low hand has a pair of kings, your high hand needs a better hand than a pair of kings.
- Dealer reveals and sets. The dealer turns over their cards and sets them using the house way.
- Compare hands. Your high hand is compared with the dealer’s high hand, and your low hand with the dealer’s low hand.
- Settle bets. Win both hands and you are paid. Win one hand and lose the other, and the result is a push, so your original wager is returned. Lose both hands and you lose your bet.
Pai Gow Poker Rules You Need to Know
The Joker Rule
In the standard game, the joker is semi-wild. It can act as an ace, or it can complete a straight, flush or straight flush. It cannot stand in for any other card. So a joker with a pair of kings gives you a pair of kings with an ace, not three kings.
Some variants use different joker rules, so always check the table sign or the game’s help screen before you play.
Ties and Copies
If one of your hands exactly matches the banker’s corresponding hand, it is a copy, and the banker wins that hand. The copy rule and the commission together give the house its edge in the classic game.
Fouled Hands
If your two-card hand ranks higher than your five-card hand, the hand is fouled. Depending on the casino, the hand may be reset using the house way or you may lose the bet. Online versions typically won’t let you submit a fouled hand.
Commission
In classic Pai Gow Poker, the house takes 5% of winning bets. A $100 winning bet pays $95. Commission-free variants exist, but they use other rules to keep a house edge, so their numbers need to be checked individually.
Banking
Some live casinos let players take turns as the banker. The banker covers every other bet at the table and wins copies. See the odds section for how this affects the house edge.
Pai Gow Poker Hand Rankings
Five-Card High Hand
The high hand uses standard poker rankings, with one extra hand made possible by the joker.
| Rank | Hand | Example |
| 1 | Five aces | A A A A + Joker |
| 2 | Royal flush | A K Q J 10, same suit |
| 3 | Straight flush | 9 8 7 6 5, same suit |
| 4 | Four of a kind | 8 8 8 8 |
| 5 | Full house | K K K 4 4 |
| 6 | Flush | Any five cards of one suit |
| 7 | Straight | 10 9 8 7 6 |
| 8 | Three of a kind | 7 7 7 |
| 9 | Two pair | J J 5 5 |
| 10 | One pair | Q Q |
| 11 | High card | No pair |
House rules note: in some casinos, A-2-3-4-5 ranks as the second-highest straight rather than the lowest. Rules vary, so check the table’s posted rules.
Two-Card Low Hand
The low hand can only be a pair or high card. A pair of aces is the best possible low hand, and ace-king is the best non-pair hand. Straights and flushes do not count in the two-card hand.
A five-card hand with no pair, straight or flush is called a “pai gow” hand, which is where the game gets its name.
How to Split Your 7 Cards
Setting your hands is the main decision in Pai Gow Poker. Because you need to win both hands to get paid, a balanced split often matters more than making the five-card hand as strong as possible.
The table below shows common setting approaches that are similar to many casinos’ house way rules. Exact house way rules vary by casino.
| What you’re dealt | Common way to set it |
| No pair | Highest card in the high hand, next two highest cards in the low hand |
| One pair | Pair in the high hand, next two highest cards in the low hand |
| Two pair | Often split: higher pair high, lower pair low. Some house ways keep small pairs together when an ace is available for the low hand |
| Three pair | Highest pair in the low hand, other two pairs in the high hand |
| Three of a kind | Usually kept in the high hand. Three aces are commonly split: a pair high, one ace low |
| Two sets of three | Split the higher set: a pair to the low hand, the rest high |
| Straight or flush | Usually kept in the high hand, with the best remaining two cards low. If a pair is also available, compare which split gives a stronger low hand |
| Full house | Usually split: three of a kind high, the pair low |
| Four of a kind | Often depends on rank and whether an ace is available. Lower quads are usually kept together; higher quads are often split |
| Five aces | Commonly split: three aces high, a pair of aces low |
What Is the House Way?
The house way is the fixed set of rules the dealer must use to set their hand. The dealer does not make personal choices, so the banker’s hand is always set the same way in the same situation.
The house way provides a standardized strategy, although exact rules vary by casino. In most live and online games, players can ask for their own hand to be set the house way. This is useful for beginners or for any hand you are unsure about. Many casinos will show you their written house way if you ask.
Pai Gow Poker Betting Options and Payouts
The Main Bet
| Result | What happens to a $100 bet (classic game) |
| Win both hands | You win 95(100 minus 5% commission) |
| Win one hand, lose the other | Push: your original $100 is returned |
| Lose both hands | You lose $100 |
| Copy on one hand, win the other | Push (the copy goes to the banker) |
| Copy on one hand, lose the other | You lose $100 |
Side Bets
Side bets pay based on the strength of your seven cards, regardless of whether you beat the banker. A common example is a Fortune-style bonus, which pays on hands such as three of a kind, straights and higher. Some tables also offer an Envy bonus, which pays you when another player at the table makes a qualifying premium hand.
Side bets generally carry a higher house edge than the main game. Wizard of Odds’ analysis of several Pai Gow Poker side bets shows house edges such as 6.44% and 7.35% . Paytables differ between casinos, and the house edge changes with the paytable, so check the posted paytable before betting.
Practical tip: If you play side bets, consider keeping them small relative to your main bet.
Pai Gow Poker Odds and House Edge
In the classic game, the house edge for a regular player is about 2.84%. This is a long-term average. Individual sessions can vary widely.
How Often You Win, Push and Lose
| Outcome | Probability |
| Win both hands | 28.61% |
| Push | 41.48% |
| Lose both hands | 29.91% |
The win and loss probabilities are close. The house’s advantage in the classic game comes mainly from the 5% commission on wins and from the banker winning copies.
House Edge by Variant and Role
| Game / role | House edge | Source |
| Classic Pai Gow Poker, acting as banker | ~1.42% | OLG PlaySmart |
| Face Up Pai Gow Poker | 1.81% | Wizard of Odds |
| EZ Pai Gow Poker (partially wild joker version) | 2.47% | Wizard of Odds |
| EZ Pai Gow Poker (fully wild joker version) | 2.54% | Wizard of Odds |
| Classic Pai Gow Poker, as a player | ~2.84% | OLG PlaySmart |
| Selected side bets | ~6–10%+ depending on paytable | Wizard of Odds |
These figures depend on the exact rules analysed. The two EZ Pai Gow Poker figures come from Wizard of Odds’ separate analyses of versions with different joker rules. The EZ Pai Gow figures assume the player is not banking and that hands are set the house way. House-edge figures vary by rules and paytable, so compare the specific variant before playing.
Why the Game Feels Slow and Steady
Because a large share of hands end in a push, Pai Gow Poker tends to produce smaller swings than games where every hand is won or lost. This is why it is often described as a low-volatility table game.
Pai Gow Poker Strategy
1. Build Two Workable Hands
You need to win both hands to be paid, so avoid putting everything into the five-card hand if it leaves a very weak two-card hand. For example, two pair is often split so that both hands have a reasonable chance.
2. Value High Cards in the Low Hand
The two-card hand is decided by pairs and high cards only. When you have a choice, an ace or king in the low hand can make a real difference.
3. Use the House Way When Unsure
If you’re not sure how to set a hand, ask for the house way. It gives you a consistent, standardized approach, although exact rules vary by casino.
4. Understand Banking Before You Try It
Acting as the banker lowers the house edge in the classic game, from about 2.84% to about 1.42% according to OLG PlaySmart. But the banker must be able to cover every other player’s bet at the table. Only bank when you can comfortably afford that exposure.
5. Check the Variant and Paytable
House-edge figures vary by rules and paytable, so compare the specific variant before playing.
Best Pai Gow Poker Tips for Beginners
- Practise in free-play mode if your online casino offers it, so you can learn hand setting without risking money.
- Learn the most common splits first: no pair, one pair, two pair, three pair and full house.
- Set a budget and a time limit before you start.
- Ask the dealer for help setting a hand the house way if you’re playing live.
- Read the table rules and paytable, including the joker rules, commission and any side-bet payouts.
Common Pai Gow Poker Mistakes
| Mistake | Why it matters | Better approach |
| Always keeping two pair together | Can leave a weak low hand | Consider splitting, or check the house way |
| Fouling the hand | Can lead to a reset or a lost bet | Check that the high hand outranks the low hand |
| Large side bets | Side bets generally carry a higher house edge | Check the paytable and keep side bets small |
| Not reading the rules | Joker, commission and straight rules vary | Read the table sign or help screen first |
| Chasing losses | Can quickly exceed your budget | Stop at your preset limit |
Pai Gow Poker vs Traditional Pai Gow
| Pai Gow Poker | Traditional Pai Gow | |
| Played with | 53 playing cards | 32 Chinese dominoes (tiles) |
| Dealt per player | 7 cards | 4 tiles |
| Hands to set | One 5-card and one 2-card hand | Two 2-tile hands |
| Hand rankings | Based on poker rankings | Unique tile rankings |
| Where it is found | Many casinos and online lobbies | Mainly Asian casinos and some card rooms |
If you already know poker hand rankings, Pai Gow Poker is usually the easier of the two to learn.
Pai Gow Poker vs Blackjack vs Baccarat
| Pai Gow Poker | Blackjack | Baccarat | |
| Typical house edge (main bet) | ~2.84% as player, ~1.42% as banker | ~0.5% with basic strategy | 1.06% banker bet, 1.24% player bet |
| Main decision involved | How to split seven cards | Hit, stand, double, split | Which bet to place |
| Push / tie frequency | ~41% pushes | Varies | ~9.6% ties |
| Typical pace | Slower (setting hands, many pushes) | Faster | Faster |
On house edge alone, blackjack played with basic strategy and the baccarat banker bet both come out lower than classic Pai Gow Poker as a player. Pai Gow Poker’s appeal is its slower pace, its frequent pushes and the hand-setting decision.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker Online
Online Pai Gow Poker follows the same basic rules as the table game, though each software provider may use slightly different rules, limits and side bets.
| Online (RNG) | Live dealer / land-based | |
| Pace | Set by the player | Set by the dealer and table |
| House way option | Often available as a button | Ask the dealer |
| Fouled hands | Usually prevented by the software | Possible |
| Banking | Varies by game | Offered at some tables |
| Free play | Often available | Not available |
| Bet limits | Vary by casino and game | Vary by casino and table |
Getting Started Online
- Check that online casino games are legal where you live. Laws vary by country and region.
- Choose a licensed casino with clear terms and responsible-gambling tools.
- Try the demo version first if one is offered.
- Read the game’s help screen for the joker rules, commission and side-bet paytable.
- Start with a small stake while you learn.
Watch the pace. Online games can deal hands faster than a live table. More hands per hour means more money wagered, so set a time limit as well as a budget.
Pai Gow Poker Live Casino Guide
- Buy in between hands. Place cash on the table and let the dealer exchange it for chips.
- Keep your cards on the table. Don’t lift them off the felt or show them to other players.
- Place your hands in the marked spots. The two-card hand goes in the front spot and the five-card hand behind it.
- Don’t touch your chips after cards are dealt.
- Follow local tipping customs. Tipping practices differ between countries and casinos.
Live dealer Pai Gow Poker, streamed from a studio, is less common online than live blackjack or baccarat, so availability depends on the casino.
FAQs
What is Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a casino card game played with 52 cards and one joker. Each player receives seven cards and sets them into a five-card hand and a two-card hand, aiming to beat both of the banker’s hands.
How do you play Pai Gow Poker?
Place a bet, receive seven cards, and set a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand, with the high hand ranking higher. Win both hands to be paid. If you win one hand and lose the other, the result is a push and your original wager is returned.
What are the basic rules of Pai Gow Poker?
The five-card hand must outrank the two-card hand, copies are won by the banker, and in the standard game the joker can be used as an ace or to complete a straight, flush or straight flush. Classic games take a 5% commission on winning bets.
What is the house edge in Pai Gow Poker?
According to OLG PlaySmart, the classic game has a house edge of about 2.84% for players, which can drop to around 1.42% when playing as the banker. Figures vary by variant and rules.
Is Pai Gow Poker easy to learn?
Yes. If you know basic poker hand rankings, the rules are straightforward. Many casinos also let you ask for your hand to be set using the house way while you learn.
