1 A Guide to Playing Pai Gow Poker
Kellye Bunting edited this page 1 month ago


If you wander through the table games section of any major casino, you will eventually discover the slow, methodical game of Pai Gow Poker.

It is universally beloved by older gamblers and those who want to stretch their bankroll for hours while enjoying free casino drinks.
How to Set Your Hands in Pai Gow
The game uses a standard 52-card deck, plus one single joker, which acts as a versatile wild card under specific conditions.

Once everyone has "set" their hands, they are compared directly against the dealer's two corresponding hands to determine the winner.
The five-card hand is called the "High" hand, the "Back" hand, or the "Big" handThe two-card hand is called the "Low" hand, the "Front" hand, or the "Small" handThe joker can only be used to complete a straight, a flush, or act as an Ace The Strategy of Setting the "House Way"
However, you do not need to be a math genius; every casino has a strict, printed rulebook detailing exactly how the dealer must set their hand.

Playing the House Way is mathematically sound and ensures you never make a terrible, highly unprofitable mistake when splitting a difficult hand.
Why High Rollers Love the Slow Pace
Furthermore, because approximately 40% of all hands end in a push, your bankroll barely fluctuates over a long session.

If you want to experience the thrill of a table game without the intense stress of rapid bankroll swings, Pai Gow is the perfect choice.
Two-Card Hand RuleValid CombinationInvalid CombinationMust be weaker than 5-cardPair of 2s (if 5-card has Pair of Kings)Pair of Aces (if 5-card has no pair)Card Types AllowedHigh Cards or Pairs OnlyStraights/Flushes impossible with 2 cards
Take a seat, ask the dealer to explain the House Way, and enjoy the most relaxing mathematical puzzle the casino has to offer.