As you can see, playing Pai Gow poker can be very complicated. The strategy at the bottom of this article is really jus the least you need to know in order to be able to play the game. However, because of it’s relaxed pace, many ties and thought-provoking hand-setting decisions, it has gained a small, but very loyal group of followers.
Pai Gow Strategy |
Your Hand |
Best High Hand |
Best Low Hand |
| |
No Pair |
Your Highest Card |
Your 2nd and 3rd highest card |
One Pair |
The Pair |
Your two highest single cards |
Two Pair (when the higher pair is Qs through As) |
The higher pair |
The lower pair |
Two Pair (when the higher pair is 6s through Js) |
The higher pair |
The lower pair |
Two Pair when the higher pair is 6s through Js with A or K as the kicker ) |
Both pairs |
A or K |
Two Pair (when the higher pair is 2s through 5) |
The higher pair |
The lower pair |
Two Pair (when the higher pair is 2s through 5s with an A, K or Q kicker) |
Both pairs |
A, K or Q |
Three Pairs |
2nd and 3rd highest pair |
The highest pair |
Three of a kind (A-A-A) |
Pair of As |
A and the next highest card |
Three of a kind (all others) |
Three of a kind |
The two highest other cards |
Two threes of a kind |
The lower three of a kind |
The highest pair |
Straight, flush or straight flush (with no pair) |
The lowest complete hand |
The two highest cards |
Straight, flush or straight flush (with one or two pair) |
The lowest complete hand |
Two highest cars, pair or not |
Straight, flush or straight flush (with three of a kind) |
Complete hand |
Pair |
Straight, flush or straight flush (with full house) |
Three of a kind |
Higher pair |
Straight, flush or straight flush (with two threes of a kind) |
Lower three of a kind |
Higher pair |
Four of a kind (As, Ks, or Qs) |
Pair |
Pair |
Four of a kind (Js, 10s, or 9s) |
Pair |
Pair |
Four of a kind (Js, 10s or 9s with A or K kicker) |
Four of a kind |
A or K |
Four of a kind (8s, 7s or 6s with A, K or Q kicker) |
Four of a kind |
A, K or Q |
Four of a kind (2s through 5s) |
Four of a kind |
Two highest cards |
Five As |
Threes As |
Two As |
