Online Pai Gow Poker – Beginner’s Guide

When it comes to card games, and in this case, poker, there are many different variants out there, including Pai Gow Poker.

Pai Gow Poker is a slower-paced poker variant that allows for thoughtful decisions.

In this beginner’s guide, we will explain the basics of Online Pai Gow Poker—how the game is played, how hands are arranged, how bets work, and where it might be available in the UK.

We will also cover 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 in which you play against the casino rather than other players. It combines elements of traditional poker with an older Chinese domino game called Pai Gow. This version uses a standard 52-card deck plus one joker.

Your aim is to create two poker hands from the seven cards you are dealt. These are:

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 have a pair of jacks in your five-card hand, the two-card hand can only contain a lower pair, such as tens, or two unrelated cards.

You compare both of your hands to the casino’s hands. To win, both of your hands must beat the house’s corresponding hands. If one hand wins and the other loses, the result is a push and your stake is returned. If both hands lose, you lose your bet.

The joker acts as a limited wild card in most UK versions. It usually counts as an ace in most situations, or as the missing card to complete a straight or a flush in your five-card hand. The joker’s exact use can vary slightly between casinos, so check the specific game rules before you play.

Playing Pai Gow Poker: the Basics

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

After betting, you and the dealer are each dealt seven cards. You must split your cards into a five-card hand and a two-card hand, ensuring the five-card hand ranks higher.

The casino arranges the dealer’s cards according to a fixed method called the “house way”. This is a predefined set of rules the dealer follows rather than making individual decisions.

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 of your hands must rank higher than the dealer’s. If only one hand wins, the round is a push. If both hands lose, the casino collects your stake.

The outcome depends solely on the hand rankings, and the card deal is random. There is no method to predict what will be dealt.

Pai Gow Poker Rules

The game follows a clear structure, though some rules may vary between online casinos. Below are the rules typically used in UK versions of Pai Gow Poker.

The high hand follows standard poker rankings, from high card up to royal flush. The low hand must be either a pair or two single cards; it cannot be three of a kind or higher.

If a joker is dealt, it usually counts as an ace. The exception is when the joker can complete a straight or a flush in the five-card hand, in which case it is used to finish that straight or flush.

The dealer arranges their cards according to the house way. These placement rules are not secret and are normally shown in the game’s help section or information panel.

In most online versions a winning hand pays 1 to 1. Some games apply a 5% commission on winnings. For example, on a £20 winning bet you would typically receive your £20 stake plus £19 profit after a £1 commission is taken.

Some newer versions remove the commission and use slightly different payout rules. These variations depend on the casino and are detailed 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 the outcome.

The five-card hand uses a variation of standard poker rankings, with one important 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 (for example, two sevens)
Or two unrelated cards (for example, 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 is a foul and the casino wins the round automatically.

While there is no single method to guarantee success, studying 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 is less common than blackjack or roulette, so you may need to look for it.

Browse the table games or card games sections, or use the site search to check availability. Review the game rules before you play, especially how the joker is used, what the “house way” is, and whether commission or side bets apply.

Some providers supply digital versions with fixed rules, while others include Pai Gow Poker in their live casino section with a real dealer on video. Live versions are harder to find in the UK and may not be available at all casinos.

Software providers sometimes make slight changes to rules or interface, so check the instructions each time you try a new version. 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, and not chasing losses. UK Gambling Commission licensed casinos provide tools to help you play responsibly.

For free, confidential support you can contact BeGambleAware or GamCare.

_{**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.}