Pai Gow Poker (pronounced pi gow) combines the elements of the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow and the American game of poker. A relatively slow-paced game, Pai Gow Poker is played with a traditional deck of 52 playing cards, plus one joker. The joker can be used only as an ace, or to complete a straight, or a flush.

Each player at the table is dealt seven (7) cards which they will use to construct two (2) separate hands of two (2) cards and five (5) cards.

This intriguing game combines elements from the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow and the American game of poker. The object of Pai Gow is to make the two best poker hands. Players use a traditional deck of 52 playing cards plus one joker. The joker must be used as an ace or a wild card to complete a straight or a flush.

Pai Gow Poker is a playing-card variation of the traditional Pai Gow Chinese gambling game (which is played using dominoes). Players create two poker hands—a five-card hand and a two-card hand—out of the seven cards each is dealt, with the ultimate goal of defeating the dealer’s two corresponding hands. Las Vegas Pai Gow poker is a playing-card variation of the traditional Pai Gow Chinese gambling game (which is played using dominoes). Players create two poker hands—a five-card hand and a two-card hand—out of the seven cards each is dealt, with the ultimate goal of defeating the dealer’s two corresponding hands.

The five-card hand must be higher than the two-card hand (for example, if the two-card hand is a pair of sevens, the five-card hand must contain at least a pair of eights or higher).

The object of the game is for both of the player's two-card hand and five-card hand to rank higher than both of the Banker's two hands. Should one hand rank exactly the same as the Banker's hand, this is a tie and the Banker wins all tie hands.

If the player wins one hand, but loses the other, this is considered a 'push' and no money exchanges hands. Winning hands are paid even money, less a five percent commission. Losing hands lose the money wagered.

Normal poker rankings will be used. Any exact copy hand (tie) will be given to the banker. Exact copy hands occur when both the player and the banker's cards (in either the two-card hand or five-card hand) are the same value.

How to Play Pai Gow Poker in Las Vegas

Basic Rules: The Pai Gow Poker deck will consist of 53 cards which includes a Joker. The Joker is wild when used in straights, flushes and straight flushes. If used alone the Joker becomes an Ace.

The dealer shuffles the cards and deals seven hands of seven cards each, face down in front of the dealer's tray. The dealer checks that exactly four cards are left over, then places those cards in the discard holder.

A dice cup containing three dice is shaken by the Banker to determine who receives the first hand. Before the dice are uncovered, all bets must be in the betting circle. In Pai Gow Poker, the Banker's position is always 1,8 or 15. The dealer counts from the Banker's position. The cards will then be placed by the dealer in front of each player-including the dealer-in a clockwise rotation from the starting ping indicated by the dice.

Each player arrange the seven cards dealt to them into the two hands, one hand will contain five cards and is known as the high hand; the other hand will contain two cards and is the second highest hand. The house dealer does not look at the cards until all players and player/Banker have set their hands in the designated space face down. The house dealer then turns his cards over and sets his hand in front of the tray face up. The player/Banker's hand is compared to the house dealer's hand first.

Winning hands are left lying face up next to the betting circle. For losing hands, the wager is picked up by the dealer and the cards are placed in the discard holder. Losing wagers are set in the center of the layout. If the player wins one hand and loses the other, this is considered a push and no money exchanges hands. Tis is the part that makes Pai Gow Poker slower than other games of chance. There are frequent rounds (up to 40% of rounds, in fact) in which no one wins and playing time is simply extended.

Note: If a player touches his hand after the banker has exposed his hand, that player's hand is considered a loser. Any hand 'Set Foul' (if the two-card hand is higher in ranking than the five-card hand, or if the two-card hand contains more or less than two cards) is also considered a loser.

Pai Gow Poker Tips & Strategy

Pai Gow Poker Game

This website encourages you to play responsibly by betting within your limits and by recognizing that over time the house will come out ahead.

Pai Gow Poker has become one of the most popular casino table games. It involves the player competing against the banker to make the better low and high hand than the house.

This is a slow-paced, relaxing game. The low number of hands dealt per hour and the number of pushes keep players in the game longer. Some consider it a great way to get comp drinks with little risk.

There are five types of Pai Gow Poker in Las Vegas. Each is a bit different. All is explained below, along with details of which casinos offer Pai Gow Poker.

Pai Gow Poker Variants in Las Vegas

Fortune Pai Gow is based on the traditional version of the game. Players may bank this game. The button moves around the table.

Banking is optional. Winners pay a five percent commission on all wins.

Emperor’s Challenge is another Pai Gow Poker variant that is based on the original game. Like Fortune, players may bank and pay a five percent commission on wins.

Pai Gow Poker Play

The difference between Fortune and Emperor’s Challenge is the side bets.

Pai Gow Plus is another classic variant.

It is essentially the original version of the game.

Face Up Pai Gow now accounts for about two-thirds of the Pai Gow Poker installs in Las Vegas. That is an incredible feat considering the game did not exist a few years ago.

In Face Up Pai Gow, the dealer looks at the house hand before players act. If the dealer has an ace high pai gow, the hand pushes. If the dealer has any other hand, it is set face up and players set their hands accordingly.

This version turns a skill game into pure luck.

There is no commission on wins in Face Up Pai Gow. Players may not bank.

This was the first version of Pai Gow Poker that eliminated the five percent commission on wins. The dealer pushes if the house has a queen high pai gow. Players may not bank. There is no commission on wins.

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Best Las Vegas Casinos for Pai Gow Poker

There are many variables that go into what makes a Las Vegas casino the best one for Pai Gow Poker. Some players have a specific variant in mind. To others, the ambience and minimum bet matters more.

How to Play Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker is spread at over 60 Las Vegas casinos. There are several variants dealt, even within the same casino.

There are several bets available at a Las Vegas Pai Gow Poker table. The main bet has a minimum of at least $5, depending on the casino. Side bets can often be made for $1 or $5.

The player and dealer start with seven cards. The deck has a joker that may be used to complete straights and flushes. Otherwise, it is an ace.

In traditional versions of the game, the player sets that hand before the dealer does. It is separated into a five-card and two-card hand. The five-card hand must be higher than the two-card one. The dealer then sets the banker hand.

If the player beats both dealer hands, the bet is paid, sometimes with a five percent commission. If the dealer wins both hands or wins one and ties one, the house wins. If the dealer ties one and loses one, the hand pushes. If the player and dealer split with one win each, the hand pushes. Some casinos permit players to bank once per round.

In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, the dealer sets the house hand first. If the dealer makes an ace-high pai gow, the hand pushes all around. If it does not, players set their hands based on the best way to beat the dealer’s exposed one. Players may not bank in Face Up Pai Gow.

We carry out an annual survey of Las Vegas casinos and the table games they offer. This allows us to publish details of every table game available in Vegas, and the best place to play it.

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See the page below for the latest version of our full survey.