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

Because of the unique way hands are scored, you will frequently tie the dealer, making it a very low-volatility game.

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.

Your objective is to separate your seven cards into two distinct hands: a five-card ‘high’ hand and a two-card ‘low’ hand.

• 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

How to Optimize Your Pai Gow Hands

The most common mistake beginners make is ignoring their two-card hand, resulting in endless pushes instead of wins.

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.