If you are looking for a slow-paced, highly strategic game with a low house edge, Pai Gow Poker is the perfect choice.
The game is famous for its incredibly high number of 'pushes' (ties), meaning your bankroll will last a very long time.
How to Set Your Hands in Pai Gow
The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus one single Joker which acts as a semi-wild card.
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
How to Optimize Your Pai Gow Hands
Because you need to win both hands to make a profit, you cannot just stack all your best cards in the five-card hand.
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.