Pai Gow Poker Odds, House Edge and Commission

Pai Gow poker has a reputation as a slow, steady game. That comes from its odds: a large share of hands end in a push. This page explains the typical outcomes, the commission and the house edge.

Win, lose or push

Because you must win both your hands to win the bet, results are spread roughly like this when playing against the dealer:

• Push: around four in ten hands.
• Loss: around three in ten hands.
• Win: slightly fewer than three in ten hands.

The exact figures depend on the rules and how well you set your hands, but the pattern is always the same: many pushes and slightly more losses than wins.

The commission

Winning bets are usually paid at even money minus a 5 percent commission. If you bet 20 and win, you receive 19 in winnings. Some tables use a different system, such as a fixed fee per hand, but the effect is similar.

The house edge

The house edge comes from two things: the dealer wins all copies (exact ties), and the commission is taken from winning bets. With good hand setting, the house edge in standard Pai Gow poker is typically somewhere around 2.5 to 3 percent of each bet. Poor hand setting increases it. Learn how to set your hands well in house way and strategy.

Banking

At some tables, players may take turns acting as the banker. The banker wins copies and plays against the other players and the dealer. This can reduce the house edge for that player, but it also means covering other players' bets, so it requires a larger stake. Banking rules differ by casino.

Side bets

Many tables offer side bets on the strength of your seven cards, sometimes with a progressive jackpot. These bets usually have a much higher house edge than the main game. Keep them small or skip them.

Why the slow pace helps

The high number of pushes means your balance moves slowly. That can make your budget last longer than in faster games, but it does not change the fact that the casino has an edge. Read more about how Pai Gow compares with other table poker games.

Set a budget, play for fun and only if you are 18 or older.