Approved
Hot
200% Match Bonus up to $2000
Excellent reputation since its setup.
Massive selection of games from major game providers.
Helpful live chat and email customer support.
Multiple currencies in one account.
Accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Play for free option to test the waters.
Approved Hot
Up to $1500 on your first 4 deposits
Excellent reputation since it went online.
Top games from NetEnt, Microgaming, and more.
Very friendly support.
Multiple currencies supported.
Deposit, play, and withdraw in Bitcoin.
Powered by state-of-the-art Microgaming software.
Approved Hot
Up to $220 + 170 Free Spins on your first 2 deposits
Excellent reputation since its foundation.
Virtual sports games are available.
Always helpful live chat support.
Options to cash out quickly.
Bitcoin accepted.
Play for free option to test the waters.
Playing Pai Gow online can be daunting if you're unfamiliar with the game, its rules, or the different variants. With this in-depth guide, you'll get caught up on all the information you need to play Pai Gow like a pro.
Find out where Pai Gow comes from, how to play, what variants exist, and what strategies to use before playing Pai Gow at top-rated online casinos.
Pai Gow is one of those games with unknown origins. While it's unclear who created it, the tiled game is traced back to China and dates back to almost 1000 years ago. It was most popular among soldiers and citizens. In the original game, players were dealt seven tiles which had to be arranged in the best two combos. There were 32 tiles and a total of 21 different special patterns. Winners were those who managed to create the best combinations.
The game moved from China to the US in 1985 but wasn't fully understood. At this time, an LA resident had the idea of combining the elements of Pai Gow with poker features. It was dubbed Pai Gow Poker, and by 1986 it was available in most casinos. From there, it grew into a popular game that reached casinos across the globe. Today, it's played in land-based and online casinos with many variations available.
Here are a few of the most popular terms you'll find used in Pai Gow game variants.
There are a few basic rules to remember when playing Pai Gow. While the game seems complicated, it is very simple, with the main objective being to beat the dealer. The game is played with a 52-card deck and a joker. The top hands can be straight or flush.
When the game starts, you will place an ante bet, after which you and the dealer get 7 cards to face down. You will get to look at your cards and can arrange them into two separate hands, a five-card and a two-card hand.
The objective is to create a hand better than that of the dealer. You can either have a winning hand, a losing hand, or a tie.
Another big rule of the game is that your two-card hand can't be of higher rank than your five-card hand. The house will generally claim a 5% commission on every hand you win, and the dealer is required to follow the 'house way', which are the rules set out by the casino
When it comes to strategy, some have been designed for Pai Gow. Ultimately, strategies aren't always guaranteed to work. Many players have started using the House Way Strategy, which follows the House Way rules much like the dealer.
With the House Way Strategy, you get into the dealer's mind and ultimately play the dealer by thinking their way. The aim, after all, is to out-bet them. So why not do it by outsmarting them with their own rules?
Here are a few quick tips to help you start your online Pai Gow journey by playing like a pro at any online casino.
If you are unsure how to get started, here is a quick step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process.
Your first step is to find a reputable Pai Gow online casino to join. Make sure the casino is licensed and regulated.
Once you've found a site you're comfortable with, head to the site and register your new player account by filling in the required information.
Head to the Game Library to browse the Pai Gow variants available and select the one you want to play.
Once you find the variant you like, load the game, and place the Ante Bet. Form your two hands.
Your hand results will either be a win, loss, or tie. Once your hand results are revealed, you can take another turn or try a different game version.
Before you load any random game, here's a quick introduction to the different game variants available in Pai Gow online.
Commission-Free Pai Gow Poker
In some online casinos, you may come across Commission-Free Pai Gow Poker. This is a variant where your winning bets pay even money. In these games, the house edge is around 1.3%. It should be stated that these variants are often very rare as the casino only tends to cash in on side bets and losing bets.
EZ Pai Gow Poker
Then there is EZ Pai Gow Poker, another commission-free version of Pai Gow poker. With this version, additional hands end with a push instead of a win. If the dealer has a queen-high five-card hand, it will be an automatic push, no matter what hand a player has.
Pai Gow Mania
Pai Gow Mania follows the basic rules of Pai Gow, but it comes with two additional side bets. It has become a popular game as the side bets reward players for inventive hands, which include the Seven-Card Hand Bonus and the Three-Card Side Bet. Pai Gow Mania is good if you like bonus bets and additional rewards.
| Casinos | Bonus | Min. Deposit | WR | Payment Methods | Claim Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FortuneJack Casino
|
$100,000
+ 500 Free Spins
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
$20 | 30x (Bonus & Deposit) |
|
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
Sun Palace Casino
|
$7,000
SLOTS200
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
$20 | 50x (Bonus & Deposit) |
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
|
SlotsPlus Casino
|
$7,000
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
$20 | 50x (Bonus & Deposit) |
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
|
Coinplay Casino
|
$5,000
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
$20 | 40x (Bonus & Deposit) |
|
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
Jumba Bet
|
Exclusive $5,000250ANK
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
$20 | 40x (Bonus & Deposit) |
21+ Only, T&C Apply.
|
Approved Hot
Stake Casino
Excellent reputation since its setup.
Massive selection of games from major game providers.
Helpful live chat and email customer support.
Multiple currencies in one account.
Accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
You can use a strategy with Pai Gow, but the best way to increase your odds is to understand the rules of poker and the betting patterns of the game.
The computerised versions of Pai Gow online run through Random Number Generator (RNG) software that is audited by independent parties, ensuring random and fair outcomes.
Yes, when you're playing Pai Gow at a reputable and licensed online casino, it is completely safe to play Pai Gow online.
This is the terminology referring to the two split hands in Pai Gow. A two-card hand is a low hand, and the front hand is a five-card hand. The latter is also referred to as a high hand.
Yes, Pai Gow is available to try in real money or free-to-play mode. It is recommended to play the free-to-play version to get comfortable before you start playing for real money.
This means to play your hand against the hands of other players sitting at the table. This is something more commonly seen in land-based casinos and not online. One of the main reasons is that the rules for online Pai Gow differ from that of land-based Pai Gow.
Many Pai Gow variants have been optimised for mobile gameplay. You can enjoy playing Pai Gow on the go at the top mobile online casinos.
When it comes to finding the best mobile casinos for real money, you should read our guide for Android, Windows, and iPhone. We cover everything from the best mobile payments, and casino games, to the step-by-step process of gambling on a smartphone.
Discover the best online casino bonus codes with our guide. Learn how to find and claim promotions for extra cash when registering at an online casino. Use coupons to get free play, free spins on slots, cashback, and reload incentives, and try out a new casino.
This is your definitive guide for online real money casinos. The operators listed here have passed our test with flying colors and you can trust them for safety, security, and enjoyable gambling. Get up to speed with payment methods, game offers, and everything relevant to the online gambling industry.
Baccarat
Blackjack
Roulette
Slots
Video Poker
