Pai Gow Poker House Way Rules

Pai Gow Poker House Way

In Pai Gow Poker, the house way is the casino’s predetermined method for setting the dealer’s hand. The dealer must always set their cards according to the house way. This procedure is designed to keep play consistent and protect the game’s built-in advantage.

House way rules can vary by casino. If you are unsure how to set a specific hand, ask another dealer or call the floor for guidance.

Starting from the lowest ranked hands, the sections below explain common house way rules for each poker ranking.

High Card

If your seven cards do not form a ranked poker hand, set your highest card in the High Hand, and your second and third highest cards in the Low Hand.

Pair

Always place the pair in the High Hand and the next two highest cards in the Low Hand.

Two Pair

Two pair rules are one of the most common house way variations, but a typical guideline is:

• If you have Jacks and 6s or higher, split the two pair.

If you have 6s and 5s or lower, keep the two pair together in the High Hand.

For other two pair combinations, split the two pair unless your casino rules specify otherwise.

Unless you also have an Ace, in which case some casinos keep the two pair together and place the Ace in the Low Hand.

Every casino is different. Some houses split Jacks and 7s instead of Jacks and 6s. Another common rule is that if you have a pair of Aces with another pair, the hand is always split.

Three Pair

If you have three pair, place the highest pair in the Low Hand and the other two pairs in the High Hand.

Three of a Kind

Keep three of a kind together in the High Hand.

Exception: always split three Aces so you have a pair in the High Hand and one Ace in the Low Hand.

If you have two sets of three of a kind, place the lower trips in the High Hand and split the higher trips so the Low Hand contains a strong pair.

If you have three of a kind with two pair, play the highest pair in the Low Hand.

Straights and Flushes

Keep a straight or flush in the High Hand.

If you have a six or seven card straight, place your highest card in the Low Hand and keep the straight in the High Hand.

If a six card straight has a pair at either end, use the pair in the Low Hand and the straight in the High Hand.

The two pair rule still applies even if it breaks up a straight or flush. If you have Jacks and 6s or higher, split the two pair.

If you have 6s and 5s or lower, keep the two pair together.

If you have a pair of Aces with any other pair, split the hand so the low pair goes in the Low Hand and the Aces stay in the High Hand.

If you have both a straight and a flush available, set the hand to create a Jack or better in the Low Hand when possible.

Full House

Always split a full house.

Exception: some casinos keep certain full houses together, such as when the low pair is twos and the hand contains specific high cards. Always follow your house rules.

If the full house includes an extra pair, play the higher of the two pairs in the Low Hand.

Four of a Kind

If you have four of a kind 6s and lower, keep them together in the High Hand.

If you have four of a kind 7s and higher, split the hand.

Unless you have an Ace or another pair, in which case keep the four of a kind together and place the Ace or pair in the Low Hand.

If you have four of a kind Jacks or higher with another pair, split the four of a kind so the Low Hand holds a strong pair and the High Hand holds two pair.

Unless the extra pair is 7s or higher, in which case some casinos keep the four of a kind together.

If you have four Aces, split them.

Unless you also have a pair. If the pair is 7s or higher, place the pair in the Low Hand and keep four Aces in the High Hand.

If the pair is 6s or lower, play a pair of Aces in the Low Hand and two pair in the High Hand.

If you have both a four of a kind and a three of a kind, split so the highest possible pair is placed in the Low Hand.

Straight Flush

Keep a straight flush in the High Hand.

In some situations, a straight flush may be split similarly to a straight if it creates a strong Low Hand. In certain cases you may play the straight or flush over the straight flush if it improves the Low Hand. Always follow your casino’s house way.

Royal Flush

Always play a royal flush in the High Hand.

Unless the hand also contains two pair of 10s or higher, in which case some casinos split. If splitting improves the Low Hand to a King or higher (sometimes Jack or higher), follow house rules.

Five of a Kind

Five of a Kind in Pai Gow Poker can occur only with Aces and the Joker. Many house ways split five Aces so the Low Hand contains two Aces.

Exception: if the hand also contains a pair of Kings, some casinos keep the Aces together. Always follow your casino’s rules.