Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker deals seven cards that you split into a five-card and a two-card hand to beat the banker's two hands. Its slow pace and frequent ties (pushes) make it low-variance, with a house edge of roughly 2.5%–2.8%.
| Cards | 7, split into 5-card and 2-card hands |
|---|---|
| House Edge | ~2.5%–2.8% |
| Pace | Slow; many pushes |
| Commission | Usually 5% on wins |
Setting two hands
You receive seven cards and arrange them into a five-card ‘high’ hand and a two-card ‘low’ hand, where the five-card hand must outrank the two-card one. Both of your hands must beat both of the banker’s to win; win one and lose one and the bet pushes. That structure produces a lot of ties, which is why Pai Gow Poker is famously slow and easy on a bankroll.
The house edge and commission
The overall house edge is around 2.5%–2.8%, and casinos usually take a 5% commission on winning bets. Setting your hands by the ‘house way’ (the dealer’s own rules) is close to optimal and avoids costly mistakes. The low variance makes it a long-session game rather than a high-thrill one.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there so many ties in Pai Gow Poker?
Because you must win both the five-card and two-card hands; splitting one each way pushes. Frequent pushes are what make the game low-variance.
What house edge should I expect?
Roughly 2.5%–2.8%, with a typical 5% commission taken on winning bets.
Sources
- Published Pai Gow Poker rules
- Strategy ('house way') analysis