Which is cool. Sit down at a Pai Gow table (live or online) and you can play for quite a while on the same stake - while at the same time getting to move quite a bit of money around.

 

The odds are definitely in favor of winning one hand per deal which makes it a relatively low-risk casino game and a relaxed way to interact with fellow gamblers at a casino.

 

For even more camaraderie, at a Pai Gow table each player plays against the banker which means players usually win or lose together.

 

Another cool thing about Pai Gow?

 

If you're not sure how to set your hand you can just turn it face up and ask the dealer. He or she will tell you how the House would set it and there you go!

 

How to Bet in Pai Gow Poker

Just like most casino table games Pai Gow poker begins with the player placing a bet before receiving any cards.

 

This is the only bet you will make for the duration of the hand and it must be within the minimum and maximum betting limits of the table.

 

how to play pai gow poker

At some Pai Gow tables you can also make a Bonus bet on whether you'll make a "premium" hand. In most casinos that's 3-of-a-kind or better.

 

The better your premium hand the more the casino will pay out on your bet. The bonus wager doesn't depend on whether you win your main bet or not.

 

Expert Tip: Never bet the bonus! The house edge on the bonus bet is comparatively huge. You're guaranteed to lose money over the long haul making the bonus bet.

 

Pai Gow Poker - The Deal 

After all of the best have been placed each player then (typically there will be 6 players and one dealer) receives 7 cards face down from the 53-card deck (52 cards plus one joker).

 

Even if not all of the seats at the table are full the dealer will deal out all 7 cards to each of the places.

 

The four remaining cards are left face down as a muck pile.

 

Once the dealer picks up any unused hands each player can then set their two Pai Gow hands.