Pai gow poker is a game played against the dealer. As many as seven players can play at once. It’s played with a standard 52-card deck and a single joker. Your object is to take seven cards and turn them into two hands which can beat the dealer. Pai gow poker is the American version of pai gow – a Chinese dominoes game. Pai gow was introduced to the US market by Sam Torosian, who invented it based on the Asian model. Sadly for him, he didn’t patent it and ended up losing a potential fortune. The game quickly gained popularity and nowadays is considered a classic.
Pai Gow Poker has become one of the most popular casino table games. It involves the player competing against the banker to make the better low and high hand than the house.
This is a slow-paced, relaxing game. The low number of hands dealt per hour and the number of pushes keep players in the game longer. Some consider it a great way to get comp drinks with little risk.
There are five types of Pai Gow Poker in Las Vegas. Each is a bit different. All is explained below, along with details of which casinos offer Pai Gow Poker.
Pai Gow Poker Variants in Las Vegas
Fortune Pai Gow is based on the traditional version of the game. Players may bank this game. The button moves around the table.
Gambling Game Pai Gow
Banking is optional. Winners pay a five percent commission on all wins.
Emperor’s Challenge Pai Gow
Emperor’s Challenge is another Pai Gow Poker variant that is based on the original game. Like Fortune, players may bank and pay a five percent commission on wins.
The difference between Fortune and Emperor’s Challenge is the side bets.
Pai Gow Plus is another classic variant.
It is essentially the original version of the game.
Face Up Pai Gow
Face Up Pai Gow now accounts for about two-thirds of the Pai Gow Poker installs in Las Vegas. That is an incredible feat considering the game did not exist a few years ago.
In Face Up Pai Gow, the dealer looks at the house hand before players act. If the dealer has an ace high pai gow, the hand pushes. If the dealer has any other hand, it is set face up and players set their hands accordingly.
This version turns a skill game into pure luck.
There is no commission on wins in Face Up Pai Gow. Players may not bank.
This was the first version of Pai Gow Poker that eliminated the five percent commission on wins. The dealer pushes if the house has a queen high pai gow. Players may not bank. There is no commission on wins.
Best Las Vegas Casinos for Pai Gow Poker
There are many variables that go into what makes a Las Vegas casino the best one for Pai Gow Poker. Some players have a specific variant in mind. To others, the ambience and minimum bet matters more.
Variant | Max Bet | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliante Casino | Emperor’s | 5 | 1000 | 3 |
| Arizona Charlie’s Decatur | Emperor’s | 5 | 500 | 1 |
| Club Fortune | Emperor’s | 5 | 200 | 1 |
| Eastside Cannery | Emperor’s | 5 | 1000 | 1 |
| M Resort | Emperor’s | 10 | 2000 | 3 |
| The Strat | Emperor’s | 10 | 2000 | 2 |
| Westgate | Emperor’s | 15 | 2000 | 1 |
| 4 Queens | Face Up | 15 | 500 | 1 |
| Aliante Casino | Face Up | 5 | 1000 | 1 |
| Aria | Face Up | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| Bally’s | Face Up | 15 | 5000 | 1 |
| Binion’s | Face Up | 10 | 1000 | 1 |
| Boulder Station | Face Up | 5 | 1000 | 3 |
| Cannery | Face Up | 5 | 1000 | 1 |
| Circus Circus | Face Up | 20 | 1000 | 2 |
| Encore | Face Up | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| Fiesta Henderson | Face Up | 5 | 1000 | 1 |
| Flamingo | Face Up | 15 | 3000 | 2 |
| Gold Coast | Face Up | 10 | 2000 | 2 |
| Green Valley Ranch | Face Up | 10 | 2000 | 4 |
| Harrah’s | Face Up | 10 | 5000 | 4 |
| Linq | Face Up | 10 | 3000 | 2 |
| Luxor | Face Up | 25 | 3000 | 2 |
| Mandalay Bay | Face Up | 25 | 5000 | 2 |
| MGM Grand | Face Up | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| Mirage | Face Up | 25 | 10000 | 3 |
| NYNY | Face Up | 25 | 3000 | 2 |
| Palace Station | Face Up | 10 | 3000 | 4 |
| Palazzo | Face Up | 25 | 20000 | 3 |
| Palms | Face Up | 10 | 2000 | 3 |
| Paris | Face Up | 15 | 5000 | 2 |
| Park MGM | Face Up | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| Planet Hollywood | Face Up | 15 | 5000 | 2 |
| Plaza | Face Up | 10 | 1000 | 2 |
| Rampart | Face Up | 5 | 1000 | 4 |
| Red Rock | Face Up | 10 | 2000 | 5 |
| Rio | Face Up | 15 | 5000 | 2 |
| Sam’s Town | Face Up | 5 | 1000 | 3 |
| Santa Fe Station | Face Up | 5 | 1000 | 3 |
| Silverton | Face Up | 10 | 2000 | 1 |
| Sahara | Face Up | 10 | 3000 | 1 |
| Suncoast | Face Up | 10 | 2000 | 3 |
| Sunset Station | Face Up | 10 | 1000 | 3 |
| Texas Station | Face Up | 5 | 500 | 2 |
| Treasure Island | Face Up | 10 | 5000 | 2 |
| Venetian | Face Up | 25 | 20000 | 3 |
| Wynn | Face Up | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| Aria | Fortune | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| Bellagio | Fortune | 25 | 10000 | 1 |
| Caesars Palace | Fortune | 25 | 5000 | 4 |
| California | Fortune | 15 | 500 | 2 |
| Cannery | Fortune | 5 | 1000 | 1 |
| Cosmopolitan | Fortune | 15 | 10000 | 2 |
| Cromwell | Fortune | 10 | 3000 | 4 |
| Downtown Grand | Fortune | 10 | 1000 | 1 |
| Fiesta Rancho | Fortune | 5 | 500 | 2 |
| Flamingo | Fortune | 15 | 3000 | 3 |
| Fremont | Fortune | 10 | 500 | 1 |
| Gold Coast | Fortune | 10 | 2000 | 2 |
| Golden Nugget | Fortune | 15 | 5000 | 2 |
| Harrah’s | Fortune | 10 | 5000 | 3 |
| Linq | Fortune | 10 | 3000 | 1 |
| Main Street Station | Fortune | 15 | 500 | 1 |
| Mandalay Bay | Fortune | 25 | 5000 | 1 |
| MGM Grand | Fortune | 25 | 10000 | 1 |
| Orleans | Fortune | 10 | 2000 | 2 |
| Paris | Fortune | 15 | 5000 | 5 |
| Park MGM | Fortune | 25 | 10000 | 1 |
| Planet Hollywood | Fortune | 15 | 5000 | 3 |
| Rio | Fortune | 15 | 5000 | 2 |
| Santa Fe Station | Fortune | 5 | 1000 | 1 |
| Silverton | Fortune | 10 | 2000 | 1 |
| Sahara | Fortune | 10 | 3000 | 1 |
| South Point | Fortune | 10 | 2000 | 8 |
| Tropicana | Fortune | 10 | 2000 | 2 |
| Wynn | Fortune | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| Fiesta Henderson | No Commision | 5 | 1000 | 2 |
| Bellagio | Plus | 25 | 10000 | 2 |
| The D | Plus | 10 | 2500 | 1 |
How to Play Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is spread at over 60 Las Vegas casinos. There are several variants dealt, even within the same casino.
There are several bets available at a Las Vegas Pai Gow Poker table. The main bet has a minimum of at least $5, depending on the casino. Side bets can often be made for $1 or $5.
The player and dealer start with seven cards. The deck has a joker that may be used to complete straights and flushes. Otherwise, it is an ace.
In traditional versions of the game, the player sets that hand before the dealer does. It is separated into a five-card and two-card hand. The five-card hand must be higher than the two-card one. The dealer then sets the banker hand.
If the player beats both dealer hands, the bet is paid, sometimes with a five percent commission. If the dealer wins both hands or wins one and ties one, the house wins. If the dealer ties one and loses one, the hand pushes. If the player and dealer split with one win each, the hand pushes. Some casinos permit players to bank once per round.
In Face Up Pai Gow Poker, the dealer sets the house hand first. If the dealer makes an ace-high pai gow, the hand pushes all around. If it does not, players set their hands based on the best way to beat the dealer’s exposed one. Players may not bank in Face Up Pai Gow.
We carry out an annual survey of Las Vegas casinos and the table games they offer. This allows us to publish details of every table game available in Vegas, and the best place to play it.
See the page below for the latest version of our full survey.
Pai Gow Poker is a table game that mixes elements of Pai Gow, an ancient Chinese game, with seven-card poker. The game is played using a 53-card deck that includes one Joker.
The Object of the Game
During a round of Pai Gow Poker, each player and the dealer is dealt seven cards that must be arranged into two poker hands: a five-card hand and two-card hand. The object of the game is to bet on whether the player’s hands beat those of the dealer.
Breaking Down Pai Gow Poker
Pai Gow Poker is a sociable game with a relaxed pace of play.
Here are some of the basics:
The table
A Pai Gow Poker table has positions for six players and a dealer’s area. Each position features room for arranging poker hands and placing chips.
The cards
The game uses a standard deck of cards with one Joker. The Joker is considered “semi-wild” and can be used to substitute an Ace or to complete hands. For example, a straight could be made using a Joker, i.e., 3-4-5-6-Joker.
The hands
Since Pai Gow Poker is scored using traditional poker hands, a basic understanding of how the hands rank is key.
Learn more here.
PreviousNextHow to play Pai Gow Poker in 5 easy steps
Set a budget. Getting swept up in the heat of the moment is easy in Pai Gow Poker. A predetermined game plan is a great way to keep things cool.
Buy chips. Simply place cash on the table and the dealer will exchange it for chips.
Place bets. Bets should be placed inside the marked chip circle on the table.
Arrange the cards. The dealer will distribute seven cards to each player. These must be arranged into two poker hands—one with five cards, and one with two.
Compare hands to see who wins, the player or dealer.
Pow Gow Game
1. Set a budget
Savvy gamblers know there’s no way to guarantee a win. That’s why they set aside a play budget like one might set aside for a dinner out or concert tickets.
2. Buy chips
Money and chips are never exchanged directly between a dealer and player. To make a purchase, simply place cash on the table and the dealer will replace it with chips.
Game Pai Gow Poker
3. Place bets
The dealer will call for bets before any cards have been dealt. Decide how much to bet and place the required amount of chips inside the marked chip circle. The dealer will then shake a dice cup to see which player receives their cards first.
4. Arrange your cards
Pai Gow Tile Game
Once players have received their cards, it’s time to split them into a five-card hand and a two-card hand. The five-card hand is called the “rear” hand, and the two-card hand is called the “front” hand. The rear hand must have a higher poker score than the front hand.
Keep in mind:
- Five-card hands follow conventional poker rules
- The two-card hand will either be a pair or no pair
- If the two-card hand has no pair, the score is based on the value of each card with Aces high
5. Compare your hands
Once the player and dealer cards have been arranged into front and rear hands, it’s time to compare them.
Keep in mind:
- The player wins their bet if their front and rear hands beat both of the dealer’s hands
- The player’s bet pushes if only one of their hands beats only one of the dealer’s hands
- The player loses their bet if both of their hands tie or lose to the dealer
Play more Pai Gow
Feeling inspired by the challenge of Pai Gow Poker?
Check out the game’s original form, Pai Gow Tiles.