Pai Gow Poker Rules and Strategy in August 2025

The action gets underway when players make wagers prior to the cards being dealt. Next, seven cards are dealt in a clockwise rotation face down to each player and the banker. The dealer and the other players at the table may take turns acting as banker. In the hope that they have the best two hands, players use their knowledge of poker hand rankings to arrange their cards.

Consequently, a player splits his seven cards into two poker hands: a five-card hand, called a high hand and a two-card hand, called a low hand. They’re also referred to as a five-card backhand and a two-card front hand. The high hand must outrank the low hand, which can only consist of high cards or a pair. 

While the player has the discretion to set the hand as he wishes, the banker must set his hand to the house way. In the event that you don’t know how to set your hand, turn your cards face up and ask the banker. He will tell you how to set your hand the house way.

Naturally, the house way varies between titles. If online or on mobile, tap the button labeled 'House Way'. Once all the players hands are set, the banker sets his and pays off winners. Every hand results in one of the following three outcomes:

1. The player wins even money: When both of the player’s hands outrank both of the banker’s hands.
2. The player pushes and has his bet returned: When one of the player’s hands outranks one of the banker’s hands and one of the banker’s hands outranks one of the player’s hands.
3. The player loses: When both of the banker’s hands outrank both the player’s hands. If the hands are identical, it is considered a win for the dealer.

Refer to the table below for a quick glance at the probability of different Pai Gow Poker results.

Hand rankings in Pai Gow Poker are identical to Texas Hold’em, with two exceptions. Since the game was invented, the royal flush has occupied the top spot on the poker hand rankings chart. In Pai Gow Poker, five aces, or five of a kind, has taken its place. It’s comprised of four aces and a joker, the 53rd card in a Pai Gow Poker Deck.

A joker can be used as an ace or to complete a straight or flush. While the royal flush loses value, an ace to five straight, called a wheel, is worth more. Therefore, the lowest straight in Hold’em is the second highest in Pai Gow Poker, only behind an ace high straight. To learn more about poker terms in general, please check out our online poker glossary!  

This popular game is played like regular Pai Gow Poker, with an optional Fortune Bonus side bet. Casino players can only find this variation of poker at four online casinos (like Resorts Online Casino). Read on for more details on how Fortune Pai Gow Poker is played at online casinos.

The side bet is based on your best possible five-card poker hand using all seven of your cards. In order to get paid, your hand must be a straight or better. 

The Fortune Pai Gow Poker side bet is offered at many online casinos. Play free in demo mode or wager for real money on Mohegan Sun Casino, Tropicana New Jersey and Golden Nugget Casino.Com. While the main game has a 97.47% RTP, the Fortune Bonus side bet has a much lower 92.23% RTP. Payouts for the Fortune Bonus side bet are shown below:

Looking to play Texas Hold'em instead? Get off to the best possible start using our Borgata Poker bonus code!

Playing Pai Gow online vs. in person is quite different. Below, we've highlighted the main differences between online and retail Pai Gow Poker.

Online poker is currently legal in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. For more legal information regarding your state, take a look at our online casino legalization tracker.

Not sure which the best casino is for poker? We've got you covered! Action Network has done deep research on both the best real money online casinos and the top social casinos to help you narrow down your list of casinos to play at. We also have a dedicated online poker page for more specific information.