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

It is universally beloved by older gamblers and those who want to stretch their bankroll for hours while enjoying free casino drinks.

The Basics: Building Two Separate Hands

The game uses a standard 52-card deck, plus one single joker, which acts as a versatile wild card under specific conditions.

The most critical, unbreakable rule of the game is that your five-card hand must mathematically rank higher than your two-card hand.

• 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.

The dealer will happily arrange your hand exactly according to the mathematical guidelines of the House Way.