Pai Gow Poker Odds & Probability Explained Completely

Play Pai Gow Poker: Probabilities & Payouts

The house way is defined as the manner in which casinos require dealer’s split their hands. It determines odds for each on-land and online casino game. In terms of online gambling, house ways vary from one online casino game site to the next, thus exacting different online Pai Gow Poker odds. Looking at house ways is a good means of understanding basic Pai Gow Poker probabilities and estimating your online Pai Gow Poker payouts.

Pai Gow Poker Odds: Front & Back Hands

Remember, the five card hand MUST be better than the two card hand, so the general idea is to have the back be good, but not so good that it keeps the front from having a shot at winning. If there’s no pair, a typical house way will put the highest card in the back, while putting the next two highest in the front. A pair is similarly simple: the pair goes in the back and the next two highest in the front. Two pair is where it gets difficult. Some house ways will always put the two pair in the back. Others determine placement based on the strength of the pairs. Two high pairs such as Kings and Jacks may be strong enough to each win individually. In these cases, the house way may split them, putting the Jacks in front and Kings in back. With three pair, the house way will likely put the highest pair in front and let the strength of the two pair carry the back. Three of a kind almost always stays in back. In rare cases, a casino may break up three aces, putting one in front and two in back. A full house will almost always be put in back, and when there are two pairs in addition to three of a kind, the highest always goes up front.

CASINO

CASINO RATING

KEY FEATURES

Planet 7 Casino

9.8

 5/5

Rated By: 4534

WELCOME BONUS

$2500 Bonus Promocode - FIESTA250

Expert Review

This bonus comes with a 40X wagering requirement (Slots and Keno Only), based on the amount of your deposit plus bonus, and no limits on how much you are allowed to withdraw. Full T&C’s apply.

Golden Lion Casino

 5/5

Rated By: 1667

WELCOME BONUS

300% Slots Match
Promocode - SPELL300

Expert Review

Terms&Conditions: SPELL250 and SPELL300 codes are valid once for new players on slots and specialty games only, PT x40, no maximum cash-out. SPELL300 can be claimed only after playing with SPELL250 code. AMULET125 and TALISMAN75 are valid once for new players only. PT x45 cards, x60 roulette, no maximum cash-out. A minimum deposit to claim the code is $25+. Cashback is given in a form of a Free Chip, PT x50, max cash-out x5, to be claimed in Live Chat.

Red Dog Casino

9.8

 5/5

Rated By: 1546

WELCOME BONUS

225% match on your first five deposits Promocode - WAGGINGTAILS

Expert Review

Minimum deposit is $10 for Neosurf, $20 for BTC, $25 for IGC, $30 for PayID, and $30 for Credit Card. WAGGINGTAILS is valid 5 times. Max cashout is x30 of the deposit, max allowed bet is $10. The Wagering Requirements for the offer are 35 times the deposit plus bonus amount. T&Cs apply

Bovada Casino

9.9

 5/5

Rated By: 1299

WELCOME BONUS

100% up to $3,000 Promocode- CAWELCOME100

Expert Review

The Promotion consists of one (1) 100% match bonuses up to $1000 followed by two (2) 100% match bonuses up to $1000. T&C

Slots.lv

9.5

 5/5

Rated By: 953

WELCOME BONUS

Up to $7,500 when deposit with Crypto

Expert Review

The Promotion consists of one (1) 300% match bonus up to $1,500 and eight (8) 150% match bonuses up to $750 each. T&C

Las Atlantis

9.9

 5/5

Rated By: 1542

WELCOME BONUS

280% Match Slots Bonus up to $14000

Expert Review

$14000 is a combined bonus for the 5 deposits of the maximum amount ($1000)

Café Casino

9.8

 5/5

Rated By: 1756

WELCOME BONUS

350% match bonus up to $2,500

Expert Review

The general Terms of Service of Cafe Casino shall also apply to the Welcome Bonus and the Bitcoin Welcome Bonus. Cafe Casino has the right to cancel or withdraw either/both bonuses or change any of their terms at any time and without cause or notice. Bonus funds cannot be used in any Live Dealer games.

El Royale Casino

9.9

 5/5

Rated By: 1679

WELCOME BONUS

$45 Free Chip

Expert Review

The minimum deposit is $10 for Neosurf, $20 for BTC, $20 for LTC, $20 for ETH, $20 for Flexepin, $20 for USDT and $30 for Credit Card. The code is valid five times on the first five deposits upon sign up. The maximum bet allowed is $10, the maximum payout is x30 the deposit amount.

7BitCasino

9.8

 5/5

Rated By: 1751

WELCOME BONUS

100% Bonus up to $5000 or 5 BTC
+ 100 Free Spins

Expert Review

The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is 0.001 BTC / 20 EUR / 20 USD / 20 AUD / 20 CAD / 200 NOK / 1820 RUB / 20 NZD / 90 PLN / 2600 JPY/ 130 BRL / 0.02 ETH / 0.2 BCH / 0.4 LTC / 65 XRP / 340 DOG / 20 USDT / 200 TRX / 45 ADA / 0.1 BNB / 2 NEO.

Wild Casino

9.7

 5/5

Rated By: 1491

WELCOME BONUS

100% up to $5,000

Expert Review

The correct bonus code needs to be entered to claim the correct match bonus with your deposit is WILD250 on your first deposit and WILD100 on subsequent deposits. T&C

Flushes, straights, and straight flushes will always be put in the back by the house way unless there is a potential for two pair. In most versions of Pai Gow Poker casino games, two pair will only be played if there is an Ace outside the two pair, or one of the pairs is of aces. Where there is a choice between making a straight flush in the back or a standard straight flush, the decision will depend on whichever leaves a hand of around Jack or higher in the front. For four of a kind, the general rule is that pairs of 6 or below will be kept together and seven and above will be split.

Understanding the House Way in Pai Gow Poker Odds

Though the house way appears fairly complex, it is a system that can improve your Pai Gow Poker payouts if properly understood. Two pair, for example, generally presents the most difficult decision.

Fortunately, there is an easy-to-remember Pai Gow Poker odds formula for splitting pairs that shaves .04% off the house edge:

** Split two pair unless the sum of the paired cards is 9 or less and you have a king or ace to put in the front

** if the sum of the paired cards is 15 or less and you have an ace to put in the front.

Some online casinos have a button that lets you automatically split your hands according to the house way. This can be great for those who are just beginning to play Pai Gow Poker. Over time, however, you’ll develop your own preferred variations on the House Way. The House Way is not perfect strategy, so feel free to play with your gut a little bit on borderline cases.