Online Pai Gow Poker – Beginner’s Guide

If you’re new to card games and curious about how they work online, Pai Gow Poker is a slower-paced option that allows for thoughtful decisions.

This guide explains the basics of Pai Gow Poker in simple terms—how the game is played, how hands are arranged, how bets work, and where it might be available in the UK.

It also covers key features like potential payouts, side bets, and the role of the joker. No need to worry if you’re unfamiliar with poker hands or betting terms—everything is explained clearly.

Getting to Know Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker is a card game where you play against the casino, rather than other players. It’s based on a mix of traditional poker and an older Chinese domino game called Pai Gow. In this version, a single standard deck of 52 cards is used, plus one joker card.

Your aim is to try and create two poker hands from seven cards that you’re dealt:

A five-card hand, often called the “high” hand.
A two-card hand, known as the “low” hand.

The five-card hand must rank higher than the two-card hand. For example, if you use a pair of jacks in your five-card hand, the two-card hand could only contain a lower pair—like tens—or two unrelated cards.

You’ll compare your hands to the casino’s hands. To win, both of your hands must beat the house’s hands. If one wins and the other loses, it’s a tie—called a “push”—and your stake is returned. If both lose, your bet is lost.

The joker in this game acts as a limited wild card. In most UK versions, it behaves as:

An ace in most situations.
Or the missing card to complete a straight or flush in your five-card hand.

The way the joker can be used may vary slightly between casinos, so you may want to check the game rules before playing.

Playing Pai Gow Poker: The Basics

To begin a round, you place a bet on the digital table using British pounds (£s). Minimum and maximum bet limits are clearly shown on screen and differ from table to table.

Once your bet is placed, you and the dealer are both dealt seven cards. You’ll then separate those into your five-card and two-card hands, making sure the five-card hand is ranked higher. The casino will also do this, but instead of making personal decisions, it uses a fixed method called the “house way”—a predefined set of rules for arranging hands.

Once both hands are set:

Your five-card hand is compared to the dealer’s five-card hand.
Your two-card hand is compared to the dealer’s two-card hand.

To win your bet, both your hands must rank higher than the dealer’s. If only one of your hands wins, it’s a push. If both are ranked lower, the casino collects your stake.

The outcome is based entirely on how the hands are ranked, and the card deal is random—there is no way to predict what will be dealt.

Pai Gow Poker Rules

The game follows a clear structure, though some rules might vary between online casinos. Here’s what’s typically involved in a UK version of Pai Gow Poker:

The high hand follows standard poker rankings, from high card to royal flush.
The low hand can only be a pair or two single cards—no three-of-a-kind or higher.
The joker, if dealt, usually counts as an ace, unless it can help finish a potential straight or flush in your five-card hand.

The dealer arranges their cards using the “house way”. These rules are not secret—you can usually find them in the game’s help section or information panel.

In most online versions of Pai Gow Poker, a winning hand pays 1 to 1, but some games apply a 5% commission on any potential winnings. For example, if you place a £20 bet and win, your profit would usually be £19, after a £1 commission is taken. You’d also receive your original £20 stake back.

Some newer versions may remove the commission and instead use slightly different payout rules. These details vary by casino and should be explained in each game’s rules or paytable.

Mastering Pai Gow Poker Hands

Arranging your hands well is a key part of Pai Gow Poker. Although the card deal is random, how you split your seven cards can influence your outcome.

The five-card hand uses a variation of standard poker rankings, with one key difference: the highest possible hand in Pai Gow Poker is Five Aces. This is only possible because of the joker, which can act as a fifth ace.

From highest to lowest, typical five-card hand rankings in Pai Gow Poker are:

Five Aces – Four aces plus the joker
Royal Flush – 10-Jack-Queen-King-Ace of the same suit
Straight Flush – Five cards in order, all of the same suit
Four of a Kind – Four cards of the same value
Full House – Three of a kind plus a pair
Flush – Five cards of the same suit
Straight – Five cards in numerical order, any suits
Three of a Kind – Three cards of the same value
Two Pair – Two different pairs
One Pair – Two cards of the same value
High Card – No combinations, just the highest card in the hand

Your two-card hand can only be:

A pair (e.g. two sevens)
Or two unrelated cards (e.g. a nine and a five)

The key rule is that your five-card hand must rank higher than your two-card hand. If this rule is broken, it’s a foul, and the casino wins the round automatically.

While there’s no single method to guarantee success, looking at how the casino sets its hands—known as the “house way”—can help inform your choices.

Odds and Possible Payouts in Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker tends to produce a high number of pushes. Around 40% of hands in online versions result in a tie where your bet is simply returned. This makes it a lower-volatility game compared to others, such as blackjack or baccarat.

When you win a round (by beating both the dealer’s hands), payouts are usually:

1 to 1, meaning you win the same amount as your stake.
A 5% commission may be deducted from any potential winnings, depending on the version.

For example:

If you bet £10 and win, you’d get £10 profit minus 5% (£0.50), plus your £10 stake back.

Some games offer optional side bets. These are extra wagers placed before cards are dealt and are based on your seven-card hand. They can potentially pay higher odds for rare combinations, such as:

Three of a kind – Pays around 3:1
Straight flush – Pays around 50:1 or more
Five aces (with joker) – Pays up to 200:1 in some versions

Side bets can increase the house edge significantly, often above 10%, compared to the main game’s average of around 2.8%. Because outcomes rely on chance, the rarity of these hands means wins are less frequent.

Where Pai Gow Poker is Found Online

Not all UK-licensed online casinos offer Pai Gow Poker. It’s a less common option compared to blackjack or roulette. If you’re interested in playing, you may want to:

Browse the table games or card games sections.
Use the search function to check if Pai Gow Poker is available.
Review the game rules, especially for how the joker is used, what the “house way” looks like, and whether commission or side bets are in play.

Some providers offer digital versions with fixed rules, while others may offer it as part of a live casino section with a real dealer on video. However, live versions are harder to find in the UK and may not be available at all casinos.

Different software providers may have slight changes to how the game works, so it can be helpful to check the instructions each time you try a new version.

Gambling should suit your personal situation, and Pai Gow Poker is a game of chance—card deals are random, and no strategy can guarantee a win.

If you choose to play, consider:

Setting a deposit or spend limit
Taking breaks
Not chasing losses

UK Gambling Commission-licensed casinos offer tools to help you play responsibly. For free, confidential support, you can contact BeGambleAware or GamCare.

_{*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.}

_{**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.}