Fortune Pai Gow

PAI GOW RULES

RULES

Fortune Pai Gow Poker is played on a table allowing for six players, plus the dealer. Each player attempts to defeat the banker (the casino dealer, or one of the other players at the table).

RANKING THE HANDS

The rankings of the hands are based on basic poker rankings. The highest two-card hand is two Aces, and the highest five-card hand is five Aces.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

Each player is dealt seven cards. The object of the game is to beat the Banker by creating two poker hands; a two-card poker hand and a five-card poker hand. The two-card hand must rank lower than the five-card hand. In order to win, the player must beat both the Banker’s five-card and two-card hand. If the player wins one and loses the other, the hand is a push. If the player loses to both of the Banker’s hands, the Banker wins the player’s wager.

The House takes a 5% commission on all winning Pai Gow wagers (but not Fortune Bonus payouts).

The House must always set their hand according to set rules. These are called the “House Ways”. House Ways are available at the player’s request.

FORTUNE BONUS 

The “Fortune Bonus” is an optional side bet that does not play against the Banker’s hand. If your seven cards contain a 3-of-a-Kind or higher, you win!

In addition, if you wager $5 or more on the Fortune Bonus you qualify for an “Envy Bonus”. The Envy Bonus pays you if any another player gets a 4-of-a-Kind or higher in their seven cards.

IMPORTANT RULES TO REMEMBER

1. Players must be seated in order to play.
2. Players may only play one hand.
3. Pai Gow wagers must be in increments of $5. Fortune Bonus wagers must be in increments of $1.
4. Players aren’t allowed to show their hands or discuss them with other players until all cards are exposed.
5. A player whose two-card hand is ranked higher than their five-card hand automatically loses. This is called a “fouled hand”. A Banker (house or player) may not set a fouled hand. Ask your dealer if you have questions about setting your hand.
6. A-K-Q-J-10 is the highest straight. A-2-3-4-5 is the second-highest straight.
7. The Banker wins all identical hands (“copies”).

PLAYER BANKER

In Pai Gow, players have the option to be the Banker. In order to Bank, a player must have played a hand against the House and must have enough money in their bankroll to pay all wagers that beat their hand (excluding side bets). The advantage of being the Banker is that you collect any winning wagers and win all identical hands (called “copies”). The House will always make a wager against the Player Banker, which is determined by the Player Banker’s last wager against the House. A 5% commission is collected on all winning Banker hands as well.