Pai Gow Poker is a fairly new game that is becoming more popular as gamblers discover that the strategy and social aspects are like no other game in the casino.  It is based on the combination of the Asian game Pai Gow (played with domino-like tiles) and Seven Card Stud Poker. 

Each player position (even vacant spots) and the dealer are dealt seven cards which have to be made into two poker hands—a five card hand and a two card hand.  To win, both players’ hands must beat the dealer’s two hand.  If one hand wins and the other loses, it is a push.  If one of the hands ties a dealer’s hand, it is called a copy, and unfortunately the dealer wins all copies. 

Before the hands are dealt the dealer shakes a container with three dice and SLAMS it on the table to designate where the first hand is to be dealt.  The combined result of the dice indicates which seat position gets the first hand.  Dice are actually becoming rare, replaced by a number generator that designates the first hand receiver.  Boring, I say.  I like that all six players’ spots are dealt cards even when a spot is vacant.  This means that when a new player comes on board, superstitious gamblers cannot accuse him of changing the flow of cards.  Take that Blackjack snobs. 

The cards are comprised of a standard 52-card deck with a Joker.  The Joker is semi-wild and can only be used as an Ace, to complete a straight, complete a flush, or complete a straight flush.  It is important to understand that the five card hand must be better than the two card hand, or the player automatically loses (Pai Gow Poker virgins, however, are usually granted a mulligan).  For example: if you are dealt two sevens and two eights with three non-significant cards, you would split the pairs by placing the sevens in the two card hand and the eights in the five card hand along with the other three cards.  You will receive quite a lot two pair hands. 

The game usually includes a lot of pushes, which is one of the reasons why it is so popular with social gamblers.  The first time I played PGP I stayed at the table for over five hours and lost only $10—what a great entertainment value! 

In many casinos, any player can “bank” the game.  The banker/player has to put up enough capital to cover every other players’ wagers and the players play against the player/banker instead of the house.  If no player wants to bank, then the hands are played against the house dealer. 

There are two rules that give the house an advantage: the aforementioned copy rule and on every winning hand, a 5% commission is charged that is taken up front, unlike the bank hand commission in Baccarat.  So if you have a win with a $10 bet you will be paid $9.50.  Another nice feature of Pai Gow Poker is the dealer offer a player help in setting his hands after everyone else has set theirs.  They will explain to the player that their recommendation is only by stringent house-setting rules.  The player can take the advice or leave it.   And believe me when I say that going against the dealer’s rules sometimes is the best play.  I’ve seen several dealer-suggested hands either lose or push when set differently would have won. 

The usual house-setting rules are as follows and for the most part these are the optimum strategy rules for the player: 

NO PAIR: Place the highest card in the 5-card hand and the next two highest cards in the 2-card hand. 

ONE PAIR: Place the pair in 5-card hand and the next two highest cards in the 2-card hand.

TWO PAIR: Always split a pair of Aces and any other pair.
Always split a pair of Face cards and pair of sixes or higher. 
Never split any two pair of sixes or under.  
With any other 2 pair, split the pair unless the hand contains an Ace, which should be placed in the 2-card hand.

THREE PAIR: Always play the highest pair in the 2-card hand.  Example: You are dealt a pair of threes, a pair of fives, and a pair of sevens; place the sevens in the 2-card hand.  The “lower” two pair in the 5-card hand is fairly strong so you want the 2-card hand to be as strong as possible. 

THREE OF A KIND: Always play the three of a kind in the 5-card hand, except when dealt three Aces; place one of the Aces in the 2-card hand.  
If dealt two three of a kinds, place the lowest 3 of a kind in the 5-card hand and place two cards of higher 3 of a kind in the 2-card hand.  

STRAIGHTS AND FLUSHES: Place the Straight/Flush in the 5-card hand and the other two cards in the 2-card hand.
If dealt a 6-card Straight, place the highest card in the 2-card hand.
If dealt a Straight/Flush with any pair, place the pair in the 2-card hand.  
If dealt a Straight/Flush with 2 pair, use the two pair rules. 
If the dealt both a Straight and a Flush, place the highest possible cards in the 2-card hand, while retaining the Straight or Flush in the 5-card hand. 

FULL HOUSE: Split with the three of a kind in the 5-card hand and the pair in the 2-card hand.  

FOUR OF KIND: Depends on the rank of the cards: Always keep twos through sixes together. 
Split sevens through tens, unless dealt another a pair; or dealt an Ace and Face card, which should be placed in the 2-card hand.  
Split Jacks through kings, unless hand also contains a pair of tens or higher.  
Split Aces, unless dealt a pair of sevens or higher, which should be place in 2-card hand.

STRAIGHT FLUSH: Place the Straight Flush in the 5-card hand and the other two cards in the 2-card hand.
Split two pair of tens or higher, or a pair of Aces and any other pair.
If dealt any other two pair with an Ace, place the two pair in the 5-card hand and the Ace in the 2-card hand.
Place a Straight or a Flush in the 5-card hand instead of the Straight Flush if an Ace and a Face card or a pair can be placed in the 2-card hand. 

ROYAL FLUSH: Place the Royal Flush in the 5-card hand and the other two cards in the 2-card hand. I once played with a lady who received a Royal and a Deuce and a Three of different suits.  Needless to say, she pushed!
If dealt a Royal flush with a pair, place the pair in the 2-card hand and if playing Fortune Pai Gow Poker, I sure hope you had placed the side bet for the full jackpot payout.  
If dealt a Royal flush with two pair, use the two pair rules. 
Split the Royal Flush if an ace, king, or a pair can be played in the 2-card hand while retaining a straight or flush in the 5-card hand. 

FIVE ACES: Place three Aces in the 5-card hand and two in the 2-card hand, unless dealt a pair of kings, which can be placed in the 2-card hand. 

This is a must-play game for all casino patrons.  It’s fun, there are no animosities that other table games can cause, and in Las Vegas you can drink for free while not risking your kids’ college funds.  

Pai Gow Poker Glossary