How to Play Pai Gow Poker (Las Vegas) — Rules, House Way, Strategy

How to Play Pai Gow Poker (Vegas Style)

Pai Gow Poker is a slow-paced casino game that blends poker hand rankings with a unique two-hand system. It is popular in Las Vegas because it has frequent pushes (ties), which helps bankrolls last longer compared to many games.

Pai Gow Poker is played against the dealer — not other players — and strategy focuses on setting your hands correctly.

1) Objective

Each player receives 7 cards and must split them into:

High hand (5 cards)
Low hand (2 cards)

Both hands must beat the dealer’s corresponding hands to win.

2) Basic Gameplay

Step	What Happens
1	Place your bet.
2	Dealer gives each player 7 cards.
3	You split cards into a 5-card high hand and 2-card low hand.
4	Dealer sets their hand using the “house way.”
5	Compare hands: Win both → you win Lose both → you lose Split result → push (no win/loss)

3) Key Rule — High Hand Must Be Stronger

Your 5-card hand must rank higher than your 2-card hand. If set incorrectly (called a foul hand), your bet automatically loses.

4) Poker Hand Rankings

Standard poker rankings apply:

Rank	Hand
1	Royal Flush
2	Straight Flush
3	Four of a Kind
4	Full House
5	Flush
6	Straight
7	Three of a Kind
8	Two Pair
9	One Pair
10	High Card

5) Joker Rules

Pai Gow Poker uses one joker:

Acts as an Ace in most cases.
Can complete a straight or flush.

6) House Way vs Player Choice

Beginners can ask the dealer to set their hand according to the house way. This ensures correct placement and avoids fouling.

Asking for the house way is completely normal in Las Vegas and helps new players learn optimal hand splits.

7) Banker Position

Some casinos allow players to act as the banker. Banking slightly reduces the house edge but requires covering bets and understanding rules, so beginners usually skip this.

8) Beginner Strategy Tips

Keep pairs split wisely — stronger pair usually stays in the high hand.
Use house way until comfortable.
Expect many pushes — this is normal.
Play relaxed; Pai Gow Poker is a slower social game.

9) Why Players Like Pai Gow Poker

Feature	Benefit
High push rate	Bankroll lasts longer.
Low pressure	Good for beginners or social play.
Strategic element	Player decisions matter.

Responsible Gaming

Pai Gow Poker is slower than many casino games, but it still involves risk. Set limits, play for entertainment, and avoid chasing losses.

Even experienced players lose sessions — treat Pai Gow Poker as entertainment, not income.