If you wander through the table games section of any major casino, you will eventually discover the slow, methodical game of Pai Gow Poker.

Because the game frequently results in a “push” (a tie), the variance is incredibly low, making it difficult to lose money quickly.

How to Set Your Hands in Pai Gow

Your sole objective is to split these seven cards into two separate, distinct poker hands: a five-card hand and a two-card hand.

Once everyone has “set” their hands, they are compared directly against the dealer’s two corresponding hands to determine the winner.

• The casino always wins exact ties (e.g., your Ace-King ties the dealer’s Ace-King)
• The house takes a mandatory 5% commission on all winning bets to maintain their edge
• You can ask the dealer to set your cards according to the “House Way” automatically

Understanding the House Way Strategy

Because players must arrange their own cards, Pai Gow Poker introduces an element of strategic skill not found in baccarat or roulette.

If you are confused about how to split your seven cards, you can simply lay them face up and ask the dealer for help.

The Most Relaxing Game in the Casino

The defining characteristic of Pai Gow Poker is its incredibly slow, relaxed, and highly sociable pace of play.

It is essentially the ultimate “hangout” game on the casino floor, requiring very little mental energy once you understand the basic mechanics.

Take a seat, ask the dealer to explain the House Way, and enjoy the most relaxing mathematical puzzle the casino has to offer.