How to play Pai Gow Poker

Each player gets dealt 7 cards, dealt from a standard deck (usually including 1 joker)

You seperate these cards into a 5 card poker hand, and a 2 card poker hand

The 2 card hand is call the 'low' or 'front' hand
The 5 card hand is called the 'high' or 'back' hand

As this suggests the 2 card hand MUST be lower than the 5 card hand. If it isnt then your hand is declared null and you lose your bet.

So, for example if you were dealt 2,4,5,QQ,KK

You would arrange 2,4,5,KK as the high, and QQ as the low.

You win if both of your hands beat your the banker (dealer). This win is paid at even money. If you win 1 hand each that is a tie and no money or chips change hands.

The Joker can be used to complete a straight, flush, or straight flush. If it is not used for that purpose then it is simply seen as an Ace.

The best possible hand for the low is AA, and the best possible hand for the high is naturally a royal flush (normal poker rankings).

With Casino based Pai Gow the house make their money by charging a 5% commission on all winning bets.

In tournament or ring-game play the dealer button is rotated as normal but the dealer also acts as the banker. IE if he/she lost to everyone elses hands at the table, they would have to pay off all the other players. The deal can be passed if you wish, however this is only really done if you are incredibly short-stacked.