Pai Gow Poker Strategy Guide
Master the ancient Chinese game of Pai Gow Poker with our comprehensive strategy guide. Learn optimal hand splitting, house way rules, and advanced techniques.
What is Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a casino card game that combines elements of the ancient Chinese game Pai Gow with American poker. Players receive seven cards and must create two poker hands: a five-card "back" hand and a two-card "front" hand.
Game Basics
- • 53-card deck (standard deck + joker)
- • Seven cards dealt to each player
- • Create two hands: 5-card and 2-card
- • 5-card hand must rank higher than 2-card
- • Win both hands to win the bet
Winning Conditions
- • Win both hands = Win bet (1:1)
- • Win one, lose one = Push (tie)
- • Lose both hands = Lose bet
- • 5% commission on wins
- • Banker option available
Hand Rankings
| Rank | Hand | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Five Aces | Four Aces + Joker (highest possible) |
| 2 | Royal Flush | A-K-Q-J-10 of same suit |
| 3 | Straight Flush | Five consecutive cards of same suit |
| 4 | Four of a Kind | Four cards of same rank |
| 5 | Full House | Three of a kind + pair |
| 6 | Flush | Five cards of same suit |
| 7 | Straight | Five consecutive cards |
| 8 | Three of a Kind | Three cards of same rank |
| 9 | Two Pair | Two separate pairs |
| 10 | One Pair | Two cards of same rank |
| 11 | High Card | Highest card when no pairs |
Pai Gow Poker Strategy
No Pair
Put highest card in back, next two highest in front
A-K-Q-J-9-8-7 → Back: A-K-Q-J-9, Front: 8-7
One Pair
Keep pair in back, put two highest remaining cards in front
K-K-A-Q-J-9-8 → Back: K-K-A-Q-J, Front: 9-8
Two Pair
Split pairs if high pair is Aces or face cards
A-A-8-8-K-Q-J → Back: A-A-K-Q-J, Front: 8-8
Three Pair
Put highest pair in front, keep two lower pairs in back
K-K-9-9-7-7-A → Back: 9-9-7-7-A, Front: K-K
Three of a Kind
Keep trips in back unless Aces (split Aces)
8-8-8-A-K-Q-J → Back: 8-8-8-A-K, Front: Q-J
Full House
Split: pair in front, trips in back
K-K-K-9-9-A-Q → Back: K-K-K-A-Q, Front: 9-9
Best Pai Gow Poker Casinos
Royal Vegas Casino
100% up to $1,200
Diamond Palace
200% up to $2,000
Golden Crown
150% up to $1,500
- • Learn the house way first
- • Never foul your hand
- • Manage your bankroll carefully
- • Consider banking when possible
- • Avoid high house edge side bets
- • Practice hand setting online