Pai Gow Poker Dragon Hand, Fortune Bonus & Envy Bonus

This guide explains three common Pai Gow Poker side-bet features you’ll see on live tables: the Dragon Hand, the Fortune Bonus, and the Envy Bonus. Procedures vary by casino, so always follow your house rules, but the concepts below are consistent across most properties.

Pai Gow Poker Dragon Hand

The Dragon Hand is a side feature that allows one player to play an additional hand, but only one player may play it at a time. The Dragon Hand wager must match the player’s main Pai Gow Poker bet.

When hands are dealt, the first available hand on an empty spot becomes the Dragon Hand. The dealer identifies it by placing the dragon button on top of the cards.

After distribution, the dealer collects hands from unoccupied spots, except the Dragon Hand, and places them into the discard rack. The Dragon Hand is then offered to players counter-clockwise from the last Dragon Hand player.

• If a player declines, offer it to the next player to the left.
• When moving the Dragon Hand, lift the cards no more than an inch off the table.
• If no one accepts, the Dragon Hand is discarded.

When a player accepts the Dragon Hand, the dealer waits until the player has set their original hand, then places the dragon button on the player’s original cards and positions the Dragon Hand to the left of the original hand. Some casinos require waiting until all players have finished setting before assigning the Dragon Hand.

When resolving hands, the dealer must compare the player’s original hand first and the Dragon Hand second. The Dragon Hand must not be revealed before the original hand.

If the player is banking, they cannot play the Dragon Hand or additional side bets. If the dealer mistakenly discards the Dragon Hand without offering it, it becomes a dead hand and can no longer be played.

Fortune Bonus in Pai Gow Poker

Fortune Pai Gow Poker is standard Pai Gow Poker with an additional bonus wager. The player must have a main Pai Gow Poker bet to play the Fortune Bonus; the bonus cannot be played by itself.

• Fortune Bonus wagers may be any amount (not required to match the main bet)
• Minimum is commonly $1
• Maximum is often $50 or $100, depending on house rules

To win the Fortune Bonus, the player must have a qualifying 5-card poker hand within the full seven-card hand. The payout does not depend on how the player sets their hands.

Fortune Bonus payouts are posted on the layout or on a sign. If you see “Royal Match,” it typically refers to a King and Queen of the same suit in the Low Hand.

No Fortune Bonus wagers are allowed on a Dragon Hand.

If the player is banking, they may still place a Fortune Bonus wager, and other players may envy the Player-Banker’s Fortune Bonus hand. Fortune Bonus payouts are handled by the house, not by the Player-Banker.

Envy Bonus (Fortune Pai Gow Poker)

If a player places a Fortune Bonus wager of $5 or more, they typically qualify for an Envy Bonus.

• Envy Bonus payout amounts are listed on the table layout or signage.
• The dealer places an Envy button in front of the Fortune Bonus wager so cameras can confirm eligibility.
• If a bonus hits, spread the cards clearly for surveillance before paying.

If the player does not win a Fortune Bonus, their Fortune Bonus wager is taken, but the Envy button remains up until the end of the hand. This ensures the player can still receive an Envy payout if another player’s hand qualifies.

At some casinos, toke wagers do not qualify for Envy Bonus. If more than one player qualifies, all eligible Envy Bonuses are paid.

Players cannot envy the dealer’s hand or their own hand, regardless of who is banking.