How to Play Pai Gow Poker at Home with Dice (Step-by-Step Guide)

How to Play Pai Gow Poker at Home with Dice

If you want to play Pai Gow Poker at home without a random number generator or shuffle machine, you can use dice to simulate the dealing process used in casinos.

Pai Gow Poker for Beginners

Pai Gow Poker is played with 7 cards per player. Each player must split their cards into:

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

To win, both hands must beat the dealer’s hands. If one hand wins and one loses, the result is a push.

How to Play Pai Gow Poker at Home (Step-by-Step)

1. Shuffle the deck by hand
2. Offer the deck for a cut
3. Deal 7 hands of 7 cards each
4. Use dice to determine where the first hand goes
5. Deal remaining hands counterclockwise
6. Players set their hands and continue the game as normal

Setting Up the Cards

Deal out 7 hands of 7 cards each, starting from the dealer’s left and moving to the right.

After dealing:

• Slightly tilt the first stack (left side)
• Tilt the last stack (right side) more

This creates the “dragon” shape:

• Left side = dragon head (lucky)
• Right side = dragon tail (unlucky)

Using Dice Instead of a Random Number Generator

In a casino, a random number generator determines where the first hand is dealt. At home, you can use dice instead.

• Use 3 dice in a dice cup
• Shake the cup 3–5 times
• Reveal the dice

Only the dealer should handle the dice.

If a die falls out or is touched by a player:

• Stop the game
• Reset and continue

All bets should be placed before revealing the dice.

Determining the Starting Position

Add the total of the 3 dice.

That number determines where the first hand is dealt.

Key rule:

• The banker/dealer position is always 1, 8, or 15

Instead of counting from 1 each time, dealers use this pattern to quickly find the correct position.

Dealing the Cards

Once the starting position is determined:

• Deal the first hand to that spot
• Continue dealing counterclockwise
• Every position receives cards (even empty spots)

After all hands are dealt:

• Cover the dice
• Move them to the side
• Continue gameplay as normal

Pai Gow Poker FAQ

Can you play Pai Gow Poker at home?

Yes, you can play Pai Gow Poker at home using a standard deck of cards and dice to simulate the dealing process.

Why are dice used in Pai Gow Poker?

Dice are used to randomly determine where the first hand is dealt, replacing the need for a random number generator.

Do you need a shuffle machine?

No, you can shuffle cards by hand when playing at home.

What is the dragon in Pai Gow Poker?

The “dragon” refers to the layout of the dealt hands, with the first position as the head and the last as the tail.