How to Play Pai Gow Poker

How to Play Pai Gow Poker (Quick Answer)

Pai Gow Poker is played with 7 cards. Players split their cards into a 5-card high hand and a 2-card low hand. To win, both hands must beat the dealer. If one wins and one loses, the result is a push.

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

1. Place your bet
2. Receive 7 cards
3. Split them into a high hand (5 cards) and low hand (2 cards)
4. Make sure the high hand is stronger than the low hand
5. Compare both hands to the dealer
6. Win both hands to win your bet

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Brief History

Pai Gow Poker is based on the traditional Chinese game Pai Gow Tiles but uses a 53-card deck instead. It was created in 1985 by Sam Torosian.

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The Basics

The table may look complex, but it is straightforward once you understand the layout:

• The bank is where the dealer keeps chips
• The discard rack holds used cards
• The betting circle is where you place your wager
• The “H” area is for your high hand
• The “L” area is for your low hand

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The Joker Card

Pai Gow Poker uses 53 cards, including a Joker.

• The Joker is a wild card for straights and flushes
• Otherwise, it acts as an Ace

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The House Edge

• About 2.9% when not banking
• About 1.4% with co-banking
• Can be reduced further when acting as the banker

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The Object of the Game

You must create two hands from your 7 cards:

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

To win:

• Both hands must beat the dealer

Outcomes:

• Win both → you win
• Lose both → you lose
• Win one, lose one → push

You are only playing against the dealer.

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How to Start Playing

• Place your bet
• Cards are dealt using a shuffle machine or dice
• A random number determines where the first hand goes
• All positions receive cards

Once cards are dealt, bets cannot be changed.

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Setting Up the Player’s Hand

From your 7 cards:

• Build your best 5-card hand (high hand)
• Use the remaining 2 cards as your low hand

Important rule: 👉 The high hand must always be stronger than the low hand

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Common Beginner Tip

If you are unsure how to set your hand, you can ask the dealer to set it using the house way.

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Pai Gow Poker FAQ

What is Pai Gow Poker?

Pai Gow Poker is a card game where players split 7 cards into two hands and try to beat the dealer.

Do you play against other players?

No, you only play against the dealer.

What happens if you win one hand and lose one?

The result is a push, and no money is won or lost.

What does the Joker do?

The Joker acts as a wild card for straights and flushes, or as an Ace.