Pai Gow Poker Rules

The game objective in Pai Gow Poker is to divide your seven card hand into a five card (“Highest”) and a two card hand (“2nd Highest”). The five card pai gow poker hand must always outrank the two cards (hence the names “Highest” and “2nd Highest”). The five card hand is ranked as in Poker hands, except that an A-2-3-4-5 straight is the second highest straight. The two card pai gow poker hand can be either a pair or individual cards. The highest two cards is a pair of aces and the lowest is a 2-3. You can divide your hand on your own, or let the computer split it, using a method called the House Way (see below).

Pai Gow Poker is played using a standard 53 card deck, which includes a Joker. The joker can only be used to complete a straight, flush, or straight flush, otherwise it is treated as an ace.

House Way

The House Way is a pre-determined set of pai gow rules which describes how the dealer arranges his cards. You can use the House Way on your own method as well, by clicking the House Way button.

The "front" refers to the two card and the "back" refers to the five card pai gow hand.

No pair: Place the highest card in the back and the next two highest cards in the front.
One pair: Place the pair in back and the next two highest cards in the front.
Two pair: Play two cards in back, except split in the following situations:
- One pair is 7s or greater and no ace singleton.
- Two jacks or better and 6s or better and an ace singleton.
- Coupled aces and any other.
Three pair: Always play highest pairs in front.
Three of a kind: Always play three of a kind in back except break up three aces.
Full house: Split except with two 2s and an ace/king can be played in front.
Full house with three of a kind and two pairs: Play the highest two in front.
Three of a kind twice: Always play highest cards in front.
Straights, flushes, straight flushes, and royal flushes:
Always play straight or flush in the high hand except play as a two pair if one of the following:
- Any two pair and an ace singleton.
- Coupled jacks and 6s.
- Two aces and any other.
With a six or seven card straight or flush put the highest pai gow poker hand possible in front while maintaining the straight or flush in back.
Play staight or flush over straight flush to improve front cards to jack or better.
Play staight or flush over royal flush to improve front hand to king or better.
Four of a kind: Play according to the rank of the four of a kind:

2 through 6: Always keep together.
7 through 10: Split unless an ace or better can be played in front.
Jack through king: Split unless hand also contains a couple of 10s or higher.
Aces: Split unless a pair of 7's or higher can be played in front.

Five aces: Split unless pair of kings can be played.

After the pai gow cards have been arranged, your hands are compared to these of the dealers and the winner is determined:

If both the dealer’s hands are higher, you lose your pai gow bet.
If one of the dealer’s hands is higher, one lower, it is a push and your pai gow bet is returned.
If both your hands are higher, you win even money on your bet (1 to 1) minus 5% bank commission.

In case of an exact match between pai gow hands (called a copy) the tie goes to the banker.

Click here for 15 Minutes Free!
7Sultans offers pai gow poker and more than 200 gambling games PLUS a highly competitive $500 sign up bonus. They currently offer multiple versions of your favorite casino games including video poker, blackjack, slots, roulette, baccarat, and craps, to name just a few!

Return to Online Casinos Directory.