Pai Gow Poker: The Slow-Paced Casino Classic That Stretches Your Bankroll
What Is Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a casino table game that blends traditional Chinese Pai Gow tiles with American poker hand rankings. Created in 1985 by Sam Torosian, owner of the Bell Card Club in Los Angeles, the game has become a staple in casinos worldwide. Unlike fast-paced games such as Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker is deliberately slow, making it perfect for players who want extended entertainment without rapid bankroll swings.
The game uses a standard 52-card deck plus one Joker (53 cards total). Each player receives seven cards and must divide them into two separate poker hands: a five-card "high hand" and a two-card "low hand." The goal is to beat the dealer's corresponding hands. To win outright, both your hands must beat the dealer's; to lose outright, both must lose. If you win one hand and lose the other, the result is a push (tie), and your bet is returned.
According to gaming historians and sources like Wikipedia's article on Pai Gow Poker, Sam Torosian unfortunately failed to patent his creation, missing out on potentially hundreds of millions in royalties as the game spread across casinos globally. The game's unique mechanic of splitting hands creates fascinating strategic decisions not found in other casino poker variants like Caribbean Stud Poker or Three Card Poker.
The "slow" reputation comes from Pai Gow Poker's remarkably high push rate. Approximately 41% of hands result in pushes where neither player nor dealer wins. Combined with the time needed to set hands properly, a typical session sees far fewer resolved outcomes per hour than faster games. This makes Pai Gow Poker ideal for players seeking casino atmosphere, free drinks, and extended play time without the financial volatility of games like craps or blackjack.
How to Play Pai Gow Poker
Step 1: Place Your Bet
Before cards are dealt, place your wager in the betting circle. Table minimums typically range from $10 to $25 in most casinos. Optional side bets like the Fortune Bonus or Progressive Jackpot may also be available. The dealer then shuffles the 53-card deck (52 cards plus Joker).
Step 2: Receive Your Seven Cards
Each player position receives seven cards face down. The dealer also receives seven cards. Pai Gow Poker accommodates up to six players plus the dealer at a standard table. Card distribution follows specific protocols, often involving dice or random number generators to determine which position receives cards first.
Step 3: Set Your Two Hands
This is the strategic heart of Pai Gow Poker. You must arrange your seven cards into:
- High Hand (Back Hand): Five cards that form your strongest possible poker hand
- Low Hand (Front Hand): Two cards that form your weaker hand
Critical Rule: Your five-card high hand must rank higher than your two-card low hand. If your low hand is stronger than or equal to your high hand, this is called a "foul" and results in automatic loss. For example, if your low hand is a pair of Aces and your high hand is only Ace-high, you've fouled.
Once you've set your hands, place them in the designated areas on the layout: the two-card low hand in front, the five-card high hand behind. You cannot change your arrangement once hands are set.
Step 4: Dealer Reveals and Compares
After all players set their hands, the dealer reveals their seven cards and sets them according to house rules (called "the House Way"). Most casinos have specific procedures dealers must follow—there's no dealer discretion involved.
Comparison follows these rules:
- Your high hand vs. dealer's high hand
- Your low hand vs. dealer's low hand
Step 5: Determine Outcome
Win: Both your hands beat both dealer hands. You receive even money minus a 5% commission (on winning bets).
Lose: Both dealer hands beat both your hands. You lose your wager.
Push: You win one hand, dealer wins the other. Your original bet is returned with no profit or loss. This happens approximately 41% of the time.
Copy Hands: When you and the dealer have identical hands (same rank), this is called a "copy." The dealer wins all copies. This rule is what creates the house edge—without it, the game would be nearly even.
Pai Gow Poker Hand Rankings
Pai Gow Poker uses standard poker hand rankings with one important exception: in most casinos, A-2-3-4-5 (the "wheel") is the second-highest straight, ranking just below A-K-Q-J-10. This differs from standard poker where A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest straight. Always verify house rules before playing.
Five-Card High Hand Rankings (Strongest to Weakest)
- Five Aces: Four Aces plus the Joker (highest possible hand)
- Royal Flush: A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit
- Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit
- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank
- Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair
- Flush: Five cards of the same suit
- Straight: Five consecutive cards of mixed suits
- Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank
- Two Pair: Two different pairs
- One Pair: Two cards of the same rank
- High Card: No made hand; highest card plays
Two-Card Low Hand Rankings
The two-card hand can only be a pair or high cards—no straights or flushes apply with just two cards:
- Pair of Aces: Highest possible low hand
- Pair of Kings through Pair of 2s: Ranked by pair value
- High Cards: When no pair, ranked by highest card, then second card
The Joker's Role
The Joker in Pai Gow Poker is semi-wild, not fully wild. It can:
- Complete any straight (filling a gap or extending)
- Complete any flush (acting as a suited card)
- Act as an Ace in all other situations
The Joker cannot substitute for other ranks to make pairs, three of a kind, or four of a kind. If your hand is K-K-Joker-7-4, the Joker functions as an Ace, giving you K-K-A-7-4 (pair of Kings with Ace kicker), not three Kings.
Pai Gow Poker Strategy: The House Way
Most casinos allow players to request the dealer set their hand "the House Way"—the standardized strategy dealers must follow. While not perfectly optimal, the House Way is a strong baseline strategy that minimizes errors. According to gaming experts like Wizard of Odds, following the House Way results in a house edge of approximately 2.84%.
General Hand-Setting Principles
The goal of hand setting is to create the strongest possible low hand without weakening your high hand below the dealer's expected range. Key principles:
- Always maximize your low hand while keeping your high hand strong enough to compete
- Never foul: Ensure your high hand always beats your low hand
- Protect against pushes: A moderate high hand with a strong low hand often beats having an excellent high hand with a weak low hand
Setting Common Hands
No Pair: Place the highest card in your high hand. Put the second and third highest cards in your low hand.
One Pair: Keep the pair in your high hand. Put your two highest non-pair cards in your low hand.
Two Pair: This is where strategy gets complex. General rules:
- If you have a high pair (Jacks or better) and a low pair, split them—put the low pair in front
- If you have two medium pairs, split them
- If you have two low pairs (6-6 and below), keep them together unless you have an Ace to play in front
Three Pair: Always split—put your highest pair in front. This gives you a guaranteed pair in each hand.
Three of a Kind: Keep the trips together in your high hand unless you have three Aces—then play a pair of Aces in back, one Ace in front.
Full House: Always split—put the pair in your low hand, three of a kind in your high hand. This maximizes both hands.
Four of a Kind: Splitting decisions depend on rank. Keep low quads (6s or below) together. Split high quads (Jacks or above) into two pairs. Middle quads depend on your other cards.
Straights and Flushes: Keep the complete straight or flush in your high hand. Use your two highest remaining cards for your low hand, unless splitting gives you a pair in front.
Banking in Pai Gow Poker
One unique feature of Pai Gow Poker is the option to act as the banker. When you bank, you cover all other players' bets and win all copy hands instead of losing them. This shifts the mathematical advantage in your favor. The American Gaming Association notes that banking opportunities in table games like Pai Gow Poker represent some of the best odds available to casino players.
How Banking Works
The banking option typically rotates around the table. When offered the bank, you can accept or decline. If you bank:
- You must have enough chips to cover all wagers at the table
- The dealer still plays, betting a predetermined amount
- You win copy hands instead of losing them
- You pay 5% commission on net wins
Should You Bank?
Banking reduces the house edge significantly—from approximately 2.84% to around 1.46% or lower, depending on casino rules. However, banking requires sufficient bankroll to cover all bets and creates variance (you could face multiple winners in a single hand). For recreational players, banking every other available opportunity provides good value without excessive risk.
The Fortune Bonus Side Bet
Most Pai Gow Poker tables offer the Fortune Bonus (or similar) side bet. This optional wager pays based on your seven-card hand strength, regardless of how you set your hands or whether you beat the dealer. The Fortune Bonus adds excitement for players seeking bigger payouts.
Typical Fortune Bonus Payouts
- 7-Card Straight Flush (no Joker): 8,000:1
- Royal Flush + Royal Match: 2,000:1
- 7-Card Straight Flush (with Joker): 1,000:1
- Five Aces: 400:1
- Royal Flush: 150:1
- Straight Flush: 50:1
- Four of a Kind: 25:1
- Full House: 5:1
- Flush: 4:1
- Three of a Kind: 3:1
- Straight: 2:1
The Fortune Bonus typically carries a house edge of 7-10%, significantly higher than the base game. Like all side bets, it's entertainment expense rather than a mathematically sound strategy. However, the Fortune Bonus does add genuine excitement when you're dealt strong hands.
Envy Bonus
Many casinos offer an "Envy Bonus" when you bet $5 or more on the Fortune Bonus. If any other player at the table makes a premium hand (typically four of a kind or better), you receive an additional payout regardless of your own hand. This creates table camaraderie as players root for each other's big hands.
Why Pai Gow Poker Is the Perfect "Slow" Game
Pai Gow Poker's reputation as a slow game isn't a criticism—it's a feature. Understanding why the game plays slowly helps you appreciate its unique place in the casino landscape and decide if it matches your playing style.
The Push Factor
With approximately 41% of hands resulting in pushes, Pai Gow Poker has the highest push rate of any major casino table game. Compare this to Blackjack where pushes occur only when both player and dealer make the same total (around 8% of hands). This high push rate means:
- Fewer winning hands (for both player and dealer)
- Fewer losing hands (your bankroll lasts longer)
- Extended play time per betting unit
- Lower overall volatility
Hand-Setting Time
Unlike games where decisions are binary (hit/stand, bet/fold), Pai Gow Poker requires arranging seven cards into two hands. Even experienced players need time to evaluate options. Many casinos allow players to request "House Way" if unsure, but the decision process still slows play compared to games like Baccarat where no player decisions exist.
Hands Per Hour
A typical Pai Gow Poker table deals 25-35 hands per hour, compared to 60-80 hands per hour in blackjack. Combined with the high push rate, your actual resolved outcomes (wins + losses) per hour is dramatically lower. This is ideal for players who want:
- Maximum entertainment time per gambling dollar
- Casino atmosphere without rapid losses
- Time to enjoy complimentary drinks
- Social interaction without constant pressure
Pai Gow Poker vs Other Casino Games
Compared to Blackjack
Blackjack offers lower house edge (0.5% with basic strategy vs. 2.84%), but also higher volatility and faster pace. Blackjack players face 60+ decisions per hour; Pai Gow Poker players face 25-35. For bankroll preservation, Pai Gow Poker excels despite the higher theoretical edge.
Compared to Caribbean Stud Poker
Caribbean Stud has higher house edge (5.22%) and no push mechanism—every hand resolves. Caribbean Stud is faster-paced with the progressive jackpot appeal. Pai Gow Poker offers better odds and extended play but without jackpot potential.
Compared to Three Card Poker
Three Card Poker is much faster (three cards, one decision). Pai Gow Poker's seven cards and hand-setting create more strategic depth. Both are player-versus-dealer formats, but Pai Gow Poker's push rate extends play significantly.
Compared to Baccarat
Baccarat has lower house edge on Banker bets (1.06%) and requires no strategy—just bet and watch. Pai Gow Poker offers more player involvement and strategic decisions. Baccarat moves faster with no hand-setting delays.
Practical Tips for Pai Gow Poker Players
Learn the House Way
Before developing your own strategy, learn the House Way used at your casino. You can always ask the dealer to set your hand this way. The House Way is nearly optimal and eliminates costly mistakes. Once comfortable, you can make selective deviations.
Manage Your Bankroll
Pai Gow Poker's low volatility allows smaller bankrolls than most table games. A reasonable session might include 50-100 hands. At $25 per hand with 41% pushes, your actual exposure is lower than it appears. Still, bring enough to handle normal losing streaks—20-30 betting units provides comfortable cushion.
Bank When Offered
If your bankroll supports it, banking reduces the house edge significantly. Even banking every other opportunity cuts the edge substantially. The copy rule advantage alone is worth 1.27% when banking.
Side Bets Are Entertainment
The Fortune Bonus and similar side bets carry 7-10% house edges. They're fine as occasional entertainment but shouldn't be your primary action. If chasing big payouts, understand you're paying a premium for that excitement.
Don't Split Low Pairs When You Shouldn't
A common beginner mistake is always splitting two pair. With two low pairs and no Ace, keeping them together in your high hand often provides better expected value than splitting and leaving your low hand vulnerable.
The History of Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker's creation story is one of the great "missed opportunities" in gambling history. In 1985, Sam Torosian owned the Bell Card Club in Bell Gardens, California. Looking for a new game to attract players, he drew inspiration from the ancient Chinese tile game Pai Gow (which uses domino-like tiles rather than cards).
According to gaming industry histories and Los Angeles Times coverage, Torosian consulted an attorney about patenting his creation. The attorney mistakenly advised that games couldn't be patented (this was incorrect—games can be patented). Torosian took this advice and never filed for protection. Within years, Pai Gow Poker spread to casinos worldwide, generating what would have been hundreds of millions in royalties.
The game's success came from its unique appeal: poker excitement with casino-game simplicity, extended play time, and social dynamics. Unlike many casino poker variants that came and went, Pai Gow Poker found a lasting audience. Today, it remains a fixture in most full-service casinos alongside blackjack, craps, and baccarat.
The original Chinese Pai Gow tile game dates back centuries and remains popular in Asian gambling communities. The card version borrowed the concept of creating two hands from a larger set but replaced complex tile rankings with familiar poker hands. This accessibility helped Pai Gow Poker succeed where a pure tile-based game might have struggled with Western audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask the dealer to set my hand?
Yes, most casinos allow you to request "House Way" setting. The dealer will arrange your seven cards according to the casino's standardized strategy. This eliminates decision-making stress and ensures reasonable strategy execution.
What happens if I accidentally foul my hand?
If your low hand outranks your high hand, this is called a foul. Fouled hands automatically lose. Some casinos may re-set fouled hands according to House Way; others enforce the loss. Ask before playing.
Is card counting useful in Pai Gow Poker?
Card counting provides minimal advantage. Each hand uses freshly shuffled cards, and you only see your seven cards plus (eventually) the dealer's seven. There's insufficient information for meaningful predictions. Unlike blackjack, the deck doesn't carry over between hands.
How much should I tip the dealer?
Tipping is customary but not required. Common approaches include tipping when you win significant hands or making a bet for the dealer on the Fortune Bonus. Given Pai Gow Poker's slow pace, smaller tips per hour may be appropriate compared to faster games.
Can I play Pai Gow Poker online?
Yes, many online casinos offer Pai Gow Poker. Online versions often include "optimal setting" buttons that arrange your cards automatically. This is useful for learning but removes the strategic decision-making that many players enjoy.
Responsible Gaming Considerations
Pai Gow Poker's slow pace and low volatility can create a false sense of security. While you'll experience fewer dramatic swings than in blackjack or craps, the 2.84% house edge still ensures the casino profits over time. The high push rate extends play time but doesn't change the mathematical outcome.
Set session limits before playing: maximum time, maximum loss, and stick to these limits. Pai Gow Poker's relaxed pace can encourage longer sessions than intended. Track your time and results honestly.
The Fortune Bonus side bet carries substantially higher house edge (7-10%) than the base game. While entertaining, consistent side betting significantly increases your expected losses. Treat side bets as occasional entertainment, not a core strategy.
If gambling becomes problematic, resources are available through the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700. Pai Gow Poker should be entertainment, not a financial strategy or escape from problems.