What is Pai Gow Poker?
Pai Gow Poker is a casino game where you’re dealt seven cards and must split them into two hands: a five-card hand and a two-card hand. Both your hands must beat the dealer’s corresponding hands for you to win the round.
How hands are set
Your five-card hand must rank higher in standard poker terms than your two-card hand. The two-card hand can only be a pair or high cards — no straights or flushes. If both your hands beat the dealer’s, you win 1:1 minus a 5% commission. If one hand wins and one loses, it’s a push. If both lose, you lose your bet. Ties go to the dealer.
Why Pai Gow has a low house edge
Pushes happen frequently — roughly 41% of hands end in a push. That low loss rate and the slow pace of the game make Pai Gow one of the most bankroll-friendly casino games. The house edge is around 2.5% but because a large proportion of hands push rather than lose, your actual dollar losses per hour tend to be lower than many other games at similar bet sizes.