Pai Gow Poker blends Chinese domino tradition with American poker hand rankings, resulting in one of the slower-paced, lower-variance games on the table games floor — a good fit for players who want their bankroll to last.
How the Hands Work
You’re dealt seven cards and must split them into a five-card “high” hand and a two-card “low” hand, with the high hand required to outrank the low hand. Both of your hands must beat both of the dealer’s hands to win; splitting the two results in a push.
Why It’s Low Variance
Because ties (called a “push”) are common and the dealer wins all ties in most house rules, a large share of hands simply return your bet. This slows the pace of winning and losing considerably compared to blackjack or Three Card Poker.
House Edge
Played correctly, Pai Gow’s house edge sits around 2.5%, making it one of the better-value table games for players who want a long, relaxed session without big bankroll swings.
