This guide explains Pai Gow Poker odds, the payout chart, and the strategy that gives US players the best odds online. Read on to see how Pai Gow poker odds compare with other casino games.
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Pai Gow Poker Odds Key Insights
- Pai Gow Poker carries a house edge of about 2.84% with optimal strategy.
- About 41% of hands end in a push, so sessions last longer than in most table games.
- Winning bets usually pay 1:1 minus a 5% commission.
- Banker seats cut the house edge further, but most online tables do not offer them.
- 3 Card Poker carries a higher house edge on its main Ante/Play bet, at about 3.37%.
Play Pai Gow Poker Responsibly
A low house edge and many pushes make Pai Gow Poker sessions last longer, but the casino still wins over time. Set a budget before you play, and stop when it runs out. You must be 21 or older to play at state-regulated casinos. If gambling stops being fun, call the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700.
What Are the Odds of Winning Pai Gow Poker?
The odds of winning Pai Gow Poker are shaped by a house edge of about 2.84% when you set your hands with optimal strategy. That is a low edge for a casino table game, which gives careful players a real chance to stretch a bankroll. The edge is lower when you play as the banker, though most online tables offer only the player seat.
To see how that house edge compares, browse casino odds by game for blackjack, baccarat and other table games.
Pai Gow Poker Odds & Payout Chart
The table below lists the odds of each outcome in Pai Gow Poker, based on optimal strategy.
| Outcome | Probability | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Win both hands | 1:1 minus 5% commission [VERIFY] | |
| Win one hand, lose one (push) | About 41% [VERIFY] | Bet returned |
| Lose both hands | Bet lost | |
| Copy hand (tie) | Goes to the banker [VERIFY] |
How Pai Gow Poker Works
Pai Gow Poker works by splitting seven cards into two separate poker hands that must each beat the dealer’s. [VERIFY all rules below.]
- You receive seven cards and split them into a five-card hand and a two-card hand.
- The five-card hand must outrank the two-card hand, or you have a foul hand and lose.
- You win only if both of your hands beat the dealer’s two hands.
- If you win one hand and lose the other, the bet is a push.
- Copy hands, where yours matches the dealer’s, go to the dealer.
- Winning bets usually pay 1:1, minus a 5% commission.
Pai Gow Poker Strategy for the Best Odds
The best Pai Gow Poker strategy is to set your hands the way a published house-way chart tells you to.
- Build the best five-card hand first, then use the highest two cards that keep it ranked above them.
- Never set a foul hand, because it loses automatically.
- Follow a published house-way chart for pairs and two pair, where beginners make most of their mistakes.
- Play at tables that list their commission and rules up front.
- Treat the many pushes as normal. They do not mean you are losing.
Pai Gow Poker Banker vs Player Odds
Playing as the banker gives you a lower house edge than playing as a player, because you win copy hands. Many online Pai Gow Poker tables offer only the player seat, so check the table rules before you sit down.
Pai Gow Poker vs 3 Card Poker Odds
Pai Gow Poker and 3 Card Poker both use poker hands, but their odds and pace differ. Compared with 3 Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker usually carries a lower house edge, though the games play very differently.
| Feature | Pai Gow Poker | 3 Card Poker |
|---|---|---|
| House edge | About 2.84% with optimal strategy [VERIFY] | About 3.37% on Ante/Play, about 7.28% on Pair Plus [VERIFY] |
| Hands you build | Two (five cards and two cards) | One three-card hand |
| Pace | Slower, with many pushes | Faster |
| Main decision | How to set your hands | Whether to play or fold |
Players who want the numbers can read the odds in 3 Card Poker before choosing a table.
Players who enjoy building poker hands can explore other formats in our online poker guide when they want a change.
Where to Play Pai Gow Poker Online for Better Odds
The best place to play Pai Gow Poker online is a casino that lists its commission, rules and payouts clearly. Choose a table at one of the highest paying online casinos so that commission and payout limits do not eat into your edge.
Before you sit down, check three things:
- Commission: whether winning bets pay 5% or a lower rate.
- Table limits: the minimum and maximum bets.
- Rules: whether the casino shows the house way and the copy-hand rule.
Pai Gow Poker Odds FAQs
What Is the House Edge in Pai Gow Poker?
About 2.84% when you set your hands with optimal strategy. [VERIFY]
Does Pai Gow Poker Have Good Odds?
Yes, compared with many casino table games. The house edge is low, and many hands push. The casino still has an edge, so no strategy guarantees a profit.
What Is a Push in Pai Gow Poker?
A push happens when you win one hand and lose the other. Your bet is returned. About 41% of hands end this way. [VERIFY]
Can I Play as the Banker Online?
Some tables allow it, but most online games offer only the player seat. Check the table rules. [VERIFY]
Is Pai Gow Poker Better Than 3 Card Poker?
Pai Gow Poker usually has the lower house edge, while 3 Card Poker is faster. Choose by pace and risk, not odds alone. [VERIFY]
