How To Play Pai Gow Poker

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.

The Core Mechanics of Pai Gow Poker

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"

This rigidly defined set of rules is universally known across the industry as the "House Way."


The dealer will happily arrange your hand exactly according to the mathematical guidelines of the House Way.

The Most Relaxing Game in the Casino

Because analyzing and setting seven cards takes time, the dealer deals significantly fewer hands per hour compared to blackjack.


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

By utilizing the Joker effectively and understanding when to split two pairs, you can enjoy this fascinating game for hours on end.