Face Up Pai Rules
Just like standard Pai Gow, each player and dealer receives seven cards. It is played with an ordinary deck of 52 cards plus one Joker.
The Joker is used three ways:
- As an Ace
- To complete a Straight
- To complete a Flush
The dealer starts the random number generator, which is used to determine who will receive the first hand. The dealer counts counter-clockwise, starting with the dealer, which is always counted as number one.
The dealer will set their hand according to our house rules, then instruct our guests to set their hand.
The players will arrange the seven cards dealt to them into two hands:
- High Hand – containing five cards
- Low Hand – containing two cards
Once the two hands are formed, they are placed face down in the positions indicated on the layout.
How to Win
To win your bet, both your high and low hands must rank higher than the dealer's hands. If you have played traditional Poker, this game will come easy to you. Just like Poker, Face Up Pai Gow has ranking procedures to determine which hand is higher.
The low hand must contain only two cards and must be a lower-ranking hand than the high hand containing five cards. If this requirement is not met, the hand is declared a “foul hand,” and the wager is automatically forfeited.
When your hand is compared to the house hand, you must win both the high and low hand to win your bet. For money to exchange hands, both the low hand and the high hand must either both win, or both lose. If either one wins and the other loses, then the wager is a “push,” and no money exchanges hands. If either the high or low hand is a tie (same ranking), the house wins that portion of the hand.
All winning bets are paid even money. Face Up Pai Gow Poker is a commission-free game. When you beat the dealer, you don't pay a 5% commission.
Progressive Bonus Opportunity
We offer a progressive bonus where a $5 wager gives you a chance to win the progressive jackpot. In the past, this jackpot has reached over $1 million.
Fortune Bonus
This bet wins if your best possible seven-card hand matches one of the payouts from the paytable. If you wager at least $5 on the Fortune Bonus, the dealer will place an “envy” button next to your bet. This qualifies you for an envy bonus payout. See the paytable for odds.
Envy Bonus
The dealer will pay all envy bonuses at the end of the round. If at least one player receives a hand that qualifies for Envy Bonus payouts, all players with envy buttons win. You can win multiple Envy Bonuses in a round, but you cannot win an Envy Bonus for your own hand or the dealer’s hand. See the paytable for payouts.
Ace-High
In the event the dealer plays an Ace-High Pai Gow, (a hand with an Ace and no pairs or higher), all guest main wagers will automatically push.
If you need assistance, the dealer or supervisor will be happy to help you in setting the highest possible ranking according to the House Ways. However, we cannot be responsible for any losses that may be incurred.