Pai Gow Poker House Way Guide (How to Set Hands Correctly)

Pai Gow Poker House Way Explained

The “House Way” is the method casinos use to set Pai Gow Poker hands. It ensures the dealer always arranges cards in a consistent way that protects the house edge.

Players can follow the house way to avoid mistakes and make more consistent decisions when setting hands.

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Pai Gow Poker for Beginners

Pai Gow Poker is played with 7 cards that must be split into:

• A 5-card high hand
• A 2-card low hand

To win, both hands must beat the dealer’s hands. If you win one and lose one, the result is a push.

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How to Set Pai Gow Poker Hands (Step-by-Step)

1. Look at all 7 cards
2. Build your best 5-card hand (high hand)
3. Use the remaining 2 cards as your low hand
4. Make sure the high hand is stronger than the low hand
5. Compare both hands to the dealer

Following the house way helps you avoid common mistakes when splitting your hand.

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The House Way

When you arrange your cards to follow casino rules, this is called the “House Way.” The dealer must always follow this method. If you are unsure how to set your hand, you can ask the dealer for help.

Starting from the lowest ranking hands, here is how to set each one.

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High Card

If you do not have any pairs or ranked hands, this is a high card hand.

• Place your highest card in the high hand
• Place your second and third highest cards in the low hand

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Pair

• Always place the pair in the high hand
• Use the next two highest cards in the low hand

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Two Pair

Two pair follows specific rules:

• Jacks + 6s or higher → split
• 6s + 5s or lower → keep together
• Otherwise → split

Exception:

• If you have an Ace → keep two pair together and play Ace in low hand

Note: House rules may vary slightly by casino.

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Three Pair

• Place highest pair in the low hand
• Keep the other two pairs in the high hand

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Three of a Kind

• Keep three of a kind in the high hand

Exception:

• Split three Aces → pair high, single Ace low

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Straights & Flushes

• Keep in the high hand

Exceptions:

• 6–7 card straight → move top card to low hand
• Follow two-pair rules if applicable

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Full House

• Usually split full house

Exceptions:

• Low pair of 2s + strong cards (A, J or A, K depending on casino)

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Four of a Kind

• 6s or lower → keep together
• 7s or higher → split

Exceptions:

• Keep together if holding strong pair or Ace

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Straight Flush

• Keep as high hand

Exception:

• Split if it improves the low hand significantly

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Royal Flush

• Keep in the high hand

Exception:

• Split if it improves low hand to King or higher

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Five of a Kind

• Split Aces → 2 in low hand

Exception:

• Keep together if you also have strong pair (like Kings)

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Pai Gow Poker FAQ

What is the house way in Pai Gow Poker?

The house way is a set of rules casinos use to arrange hands consistently.

Is the house way the best strategy?

It is a safe and reliable method, but not always optimal.

Can players use the house way?

Yes, players can follow the house way or ask the dealer for help.

Why does the house way matter?

It reduces mistakes and ensures your hand is set correctly.