Pai Gow Poker is a fascinating and incredibly popular table game that blends ancient Chinese mechanics with modern American poker.

The game is famous for its incredibly high number of ‘pushes’ (ties), meaning your bankroll will last a very long time.

The Basic Rules of Pai Gow Poker

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, plus one single Joker which acts as a semi-wild card.

You must arrange your cards into a five-card back hand and a two-card front hand, following traditional poker rankings.

• The dealer must set their hand according to a strict set of casino rules called the ‘House Way’
• If you are confused, you can always ask the dealer to set your hand according to the House Way for you
• Because tying is so common, the casino takes a 5% commission on all winning bets to maintain their house edge

The Smartest Way to Play Pai Gow

Because you need to win both hands to make a profit, you cannot just stack all your best cards in the five-card hand.

If you are dealt a full house, you should almost always split it: put the three-of-a-kind in the back and the pair in the front.

By learning how to balance your high and low hands perfectly, you can enjoy one of the best table games in the casino.