Home > Article Listing > Pai Gow Rules
Casino Article
Pai Gow Rules
Pai Gow Poker is a unique Poker variation in which each player is dealt enough cards to make two hands. The object of the game is to make the best two hands possible with the cards dealt, and to have both of those hands beat both of the dealer's hands. Here are the rules of the game:
- The deck used in Pai Gow Poker is 53 cards- the standard 52-card deck plus one wild, usually a Joker.
- Before anything happens, all players must make their wager. A unique aspect of Pai Gow Poker is that any player can request to be the dealer. However, this must be done before the wagers are placed.
- Once all wagers are made, the dealer rolls a set of dice to determine which player gets the first set of seven cards. The dealer can then begin to deal cards according to the roll of the dice. Seven cards are dealt to each player, including the dealer.
- Each player must then take their seven cards and split them into two hands- the best five-card hand possible (hand behind) and the best two-card hand possible (hand in front).
- The usual Poker hierarchy of hands applies, unless a player gets the Joker. In this case, four aces plus the Joker (to make five of a kind) would be the highest hand possible instead of the usual Royal Flush. The best two-card hand possible is a pair of Aces. The only other exception is that a straight comprised of A-2-3-4-5 is usually considered the second highest straight (behind an A-K-Q-J-10). There are some casinos though that do not recognize this as the second-highest straight, so you should refer to the specific rules of that table.
- The Joker may only be used to complete a flush, straight, or straight flush. If it can not be used to complete one of these hands, it automatically defaults to an Ace.
- After all players separated their two hands, the dealer does the same according to the 'house way' rules. All hands are then compared to the dealer's hand to see if anyone wins.
- A hand called a 'dragon hand' may be dealt to any empty seats at the table. If a player wishes and the rules allow for it, they may pick up this hand and play it in addition to the one they already have.
- RESULTS:
- If both of a player's hands beats the dealer, then they win 1:1 odds on their bet, minus a 5% commission that goes to the house. For instance, if you bet $20, you get to keep your bet plus $20 from the house, minus the commission. So you would get paid out $19.50 in addition to keeping your bet.
- If only one of your hands beats the dealer's, then the game is considered a push, and neither the house nor player wins. The player gets to keep their bet.
- If both hands are a tie, the banker wins.
- The two-card hand can not be higher than the five-card hand. If it is, then both hands are considered a foul and the player's bet is collected. At some online casinos, the software will prompt you to fix your hands if you have made this mistake, allowing you to continue play. Read the instructions for the game to find out if this is the case or not.
- PLAYER AS THE DEALER:
- If a player is the dealer, they must have enough money in their bankroll to cover all bets made by the players. The house dealer in this case would become a player and bet the same amount that the player/dealer did on their last hand when the house was the dealer.
- If a player wins hands while being the dealer, the house will still take their 5% commission, but this time on the net amount won instead of on each individual bet won.
- If the player does not have enough in their bankroll to cover or wishes not to cover the full amount, the house has the option of covering half. In this case, the player/dealer must set their hand according to 'house way' rules, just like the house dealer would. Again, check the rules of your table to see if this is an option or not.
