Quick answer: In Pai Gow Poker you get seven cards and split them into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand, and the high hand must outrank the low hand. Win both hands and you are paid even money minus a 5% commission. Win one and lose one and it is a push. Lose both and you lose. Because so many hands push, Pai Gow Poker is one of the slowest-moving games in the casino, which is a big part of its appeal.
Legal note: this guide explains how the game works. Under Philippine law, only PAGCOR-licensed operators are confirmed legal for online gambling from within the Philippines, and informal games played for money are illegal gambling under Presidential Decree 1602. Melbet, the operator we link to, holds a Curaçao licence (no. 8048/JAZ2020-060), not a PAGCOR licence, and we earn a commission if you sign up through our link — see Is Melbet legal in the Philippines? Players must be 21 or older.
The Deck and the Joker
Pai Gow Poker uses a standard 52-card deck plus one joker. The joker is semi-wild: it can only be used as an ace, or to complete a straight or a flush. Hands rank as in standard poker, which our Texas Hold’em basics lists, with one common difference: in many versions A-2-3-4-5 is the second-highest straight, just below A-K-Q-J-10. In the two-card hand, only pairs and high cards count, so the best possible low hand is a pair of aces.
How a Round Works
- You place your bet, and you and the dealer each receive seven cards.
- You set your cards into a five-card high hand and a two-card low hand. The high hand must be stronger than the low hand, or the hand is fouled (usually a loss).
- The dealer sets their hand using a fixed set of rules called the house way.
- Each of your hands is compared with the dealer’s matching hand.
How Payouts Work
| Result | Outcome |
|---|---|
| You win both hands | Paid 1:1, minus a 5% commission on the win |
| You win one, lose one | Push: your stake is returned |
| You lose both hands | You lose your stake |
| A hand ties exactly (a “copy”) | The dealer wins that hand |
The dealer winning copies, plus the 5% commission, is where the house edge comes from.
The House Way and Basic Setting Tips
Online tables usually offer a “house way” button that sets your hand the same way the dealer does. It is not perfect, but it is close to the best strategy, and following it costs very little compared with setting hands badly. If you set your own hands, these rules cover most situations:
- No pair: put your highest card in the high hand and the next two highest in the low hand.
- One pair: keep the pair in the high hand and the next two highest cards in the low hand.
- Two pair: usually split them, with the higher pair in the high hand, unless both pairs are small and you hold an ace to put in the low hand.
- Three pair: put the highest pair in the low hand.
The House Edge (Approximate)
Published figures put the house edge for Pai Gow Poker at roughly 2.5% to 3% of your stake when you play against the dealer and follow the house way. Treat that as an approximate range, because it depends on the exact house way and table rules. What makes the game feel cheap is how often hands push: commonly cited estimates are that around four in ten hands end in a push, so your bankroll moves slowly. Side bets such as “Fortune” or bonus bets carry much higher edges than the main game. Our sister guide on Caribbean Stud Poker shows how a different poker variant’s maths compares.
Want to try Pai Gow Poker at a live or RNG table?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a 5% commission?
Without it, the game would be close to even for the player, because so many hands push. The commission on winning bets is how the house makes its margin.
What happens if I set my hands wrong?
If your two-card hand ranks higher than your five-card hand, the hand is fouled. Most tables count that as a loss, and some online tables simply will not let you submit it.
Is Pai Gow Poker the same as Pai Gow tiles?
No. Pai Gow tiles is the older Chinese domino game. Pai Gow Poker borrowed the idea of setting two hands and applied it to playing cards.
Can I bank the game?
Some land-based casinos let players take turns as the banker. This option is rare at online tables, where the house is almost always the banker.
Final Thoughts
Pai Gow Poker is a slow, low-swing game: frequent pushes, a modest edge and simple setting rules. Use the house way when in doubt, skip the side bets, and enjoy the slower pace. If you like card games with clear rules, our blackjack basics is a natural next read.
A slow game still costs money over time. Set a budget before you start and stop when it is spent. If betting has stopped feeling like entertainment, read our responsible gambling guide for warning signs and free help, including the NCMH crisis hotline (1553). 21+ only.