Also known as double-hand poker, Pai Gow poker is a poker variation often seen in casinos and online poker rooms. The game requires the player to make the best two hands, one with five cards and the other with two, to beat the dealer for the win. If you'd like to find out more about this popular variation, read on to learn how to play Pai Gow poker.

Similar to other casino poker games like Caribbean stud, each participant plays against the dealer, or house, rather than the other players at the table. If a player and dealer tie, the house will always win the bet.http://casino.bodog.com/guide/pai-gow-poker.html

Seven cards are dealt to each player and the dealer. These cards are arranged in one five-card hand and one two-card hand. The five-card hand, known as the high hand, must be higher-ranked than the two-card hand, known as the low hand. If both of the player's hands beat those of the dealer, the player wins. If only one hand beats the dealer, the hand is a push. Should the dealer's hand beat both of the hands of the player, the dealer wins.http://casino.bodog.com/guide/pai-gow-poker.html

To get started playing Pai Gow poker, you should know and understand the rules of the game, how hands are ranked and how gameplay works.

While some of the rules to the game are similar to other casino poker games in which players go up against the dealer, as it is a unique variation, it has some rules specific to the game as well.

1. Games can be played with as many as six players at each table.
2. Seven hands are dealt, regardless of how many players participate in a game. Each player, including the dealer, receives one seven-card hand with four cards left over. Players are permitted to play more than one hand against the dealer at a time.
3. A standard deck of 52 cards, plus one joker is always used.
4. One bet, of any amount determined by the casino or table limits, is placed before the cards are dealt. Some games will also offer a progressive jackpot option, requiring the player to make an additional bet to qualify for the jackpot.
5. The five-card hand must rank higher than the two-card hand. Should the player err and make their two-card hand rank higher, the dealer will win the hand or, in some cases, allow the player to rearrange the cards to comply.
6. Many casinos charge a 5% fee on the winnings. For instance, if a player bets $100 and wins, they receive that $100 minus the 5% ($5) back for a win of $95.http://casino.bodog.com/guide/pai-gow-poker.html

As Pai Gow poker uses both a 53-card deck rather than 52 and requires players to make two separate hands, the ranking of hands are similar to, but not the same as, the standard order of hand rankings used in games like Texas hold'em and five card draw. Remember that the five-card hand must be higher than the two-card hand and both must beat the dealer to win.

1. The highest-possible two-card hand is a pair, specifically a pair of aces. As a flush or straight require five hands, the two-card hand cannot qualify for those.
2. The highest-possible five-card hand is five of a kind, which can only be obtained by gathering five aces and the joker. A royal flush, A-K-Q-J-10 of the same suit comes in next.
3. A straight flush, four of a kind, full house and flush follows.
4. A straight comes in next. The A-K-Q-J-10 is the highest-ranking straight, followed by an A-2-3-4-5, known as a wheel, straight.
5. The joker can generally be used to finish a straight, flush or straight flush. If a player does not have a flush or straight, the joker will always serve as an ace.
6. Five-card hands are ranked as follows:

After you understand all the rules and how to rank the individual hands, it's time to find a table and play. It's a good idea to practice or observe a few hands at a table before betting anything.

1. Join a table and place your desired bet in the betting circle. If the casino or online poker room offers a progressive jackpot and you wish to play, place that bet in the appropriate slot as well.
2. The dealer will determine table positions, generally by rolling dice. The first person in the order will receive the first set of seven cards.
3. Players look at their cards, arranging them in two hands, one of five cards and the other of two.
4. Starting with the person in the first position, the player turns their cards face up to determine if their hand beats that of the dealer.
   1. If both the player's five-card and two-card hands beat those of the dealer, the player wins their bet, generally one-to-one, minus a 5% fee in some cases.
   2. If one of the player's hands beat the dealer, the hand is a push, with the player receiving his or her bet amount back.
   3. If both dealer hands beat the player's hands, the dealer win, collecting the initial bet.
   4. If a player's five-card hand is higher ranking, such as a five of a kind, royal flush or straight flush, and the player bet on the progressive jackpot, the player may win all or a portion of the progressive jackpot.
5. The dealer continues to go around the table, comparing the hands of the players to the dealer's hands.
6. Cards are returned to the dealer, shuffled and the process is repeated for each hand.http://casino.bodog.com/guide/pai-gow-poker.html

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