Pai Gow Poker Online – Play & Understand the Game

Pai Gow Poker is a popular choice for players looking for a more relaxed pace within the online casino world. It combines familiar poker elements with some unique twists, offering a fresh take on traditional card games.

In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of Pai Gow Poker, explaining how the game works and what sets it apart from others. By getting to know the rules and hand rankings, you’ll be able to decide if this game suits your playing style.

Whether you want to understand the gameplay or learn how to get started online, read on for clear and straightforward information.

How Pai Gow Poker Is Played

Pai Gow Poker is a card game adapted from the traditional Chinese tile game Pai Gow and gained popularity in the 1980s. Instead of dominoes, the game is played with a standard 52-card deck plus one joker.

At the start, players place their bets within the table limits, which can vary between sites, so you should check these beforehand if you intend to play. Once bets are placed, each player—and the dealer—receives seven cards.

The key objective is for players to split their seven cards into two hands: a five-card “high” hand and a two-card “low” hand. The high hand follows traditional poker rankings such as pairs, straights, or flushes. The low hand aims for a pair or, if that isn’t possible, the best two cards available.

The joker has a special role: it can be used to complete a straight or flush in the five-card hand, or it acts as an ace in either hand.

Finally, both the player’s hands are compared to the dealer’s. To win the round, both hands must rank higher than the dealer’s corresponding hands. If only one hand wins, the result is a “push,” meaning the player’s bet is returned. In the case of a tie on either hand, the dealer wins.

Rules for Pai Gow Poker

Let’s look a bit closer at the rules that guide Pai Gow Poker:

• As mentioned earlier, the game uses a standard 52-card deck plus one joker.
  
• The joker can act as an ace or help complete a straight, flush, or straight flush, depending on the hand.
  
• Each player is dealt seven cards.
  
• Players must split their seven cards into two hands:
  
  • A “high” five-card hand
    
  • A “low” two-card hand
    
• The five-card hand must always be stronger than the two-card hand for the hand to be valid.
  
• The five-card hand is ranked using conventional poker hand rankings (e.g., flush, full house, royal flush).
  
• The two-card hand is ranked by pairs or, if no pair is available, by the highest cards.
  
  

Pai Gow Poker Hand Strengths

Splitting your seven cards correctly is essential in Pai Gow Poker, as how you arrange your five-card and two-card hands directly affects your chances against the dealer.

Here are the five-card high hand rankings you’ll use to set your main hand in the game:

• Five Aces: Four aces plus the joker
  
• Royal Flush: 10, jack, queen, king, ace—all the same suit
  
• Straight Flush: Five cards in sequence, all the same suit (but not a royal flush)
  
• Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank
  
• Full House: Three cards of one rank and two of another
  
• Flush: Any five cards of the same suit
  
• Straight: Five cards in sequence, any suit
  
• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank
  
• Two Pairs: Two different pairs
  
• One Pair: Two cards of the same rank
  
• High Card: If none of the above apply, your highest card counts
  

For your smaller hand, which consists of two cards, these are the rankings to keep in mind:

• Pair: Two cards of the same rank
  
• High Card: If you don’t have a pair, the higher card determines the strength

This list offers a handy reference to help you arrange your cards wisely and improve your play.

Payouts and Odds for Pai Gow Poker

If you choose to play Pai Gow Poker, understanding how payouts work can give you a clearer idea of what to expect during your game.

Typically, when both your hands beat the dealer’s, the payout is 1:1. So, if you place a £10 bet, you’d usually win another £10. However, most sites apply a 5% commission on any winnings, which means your effective payout will be slightly less than double your stake.

If only one of your hands beats the dealer’s, the result is a “push”—your original bet is returned with no win or loss. In cases where both hands tie with the dealer’s, the dealer wins.

Some casinos may offer bonus payouts for particularly strong hands, such as a straight flush or four of a kind. If you choose to play, you should check the specific bonus rules on each site beforehand, as these may vary.

The house edge in Pai Gow Poker is around 2.5%, meaning the casino holds a small advantage over time.

Where to Find Pai Gow Poker at Online Casinos

Pai Gow Poker is steadily gaining interest in the UK, though it remains somewhat of a niche game and isn’t yet widely offered across most online casinos. While it enjoys a solid following internationally, UK players will typically find it available only at select sites.

A handful of UK-licensed casinos provide Pai Gow Poker, either as a digital game or through live dealer tables. Since versions and rules can vary between platforms, it’s worth exploring a few options if you’re curious to try it.

If you decide to play Pai Gow Poker online, it’s important to choose casinos regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This ensures the site operates fairly and adheres to responsible gambling standards, helping to keep your experience safe.

If regular poker is more your style, you might want to check out the variety of poker games and other casino games available at Ivy Casino. Fully licensed by the UKGC, we offer a secure and regulated environment with plenty of options to suit different preferences and skill levels.

As always, if you choose to play poker, Pai Gow or any other version, it’s important to keep responsible gambling practices in mind and never wager more than you are willing to lose.

_{*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.}

_{**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.}