Pai gow poker is one of the most social, slow-paced casino table games, yet understanding pai gow payouts is essential to turning casual play into consistent results. In this guide I combine practical experience at brick-and-mortar casinos with authoritative strategy and examples so you can see how different outcomes translate to money in your pocket. You’ll learn how the basic payouts work, how side bets and banking affect returns, where the house advantage lives, and smart, low-risk tactics to protect your bankroll.
Why pai gow payouts matter more than they look
On the surface pai gow poker looks simple: you split seven cards into a five-card hand and a two-card hand and compare them to the dealer. The payout system, however, determines whether the result is a win, loss, or push — and small rule differences at individual casinos can materially change your expected return. For players who treat each betting session like a project, paying attention to the numbers and the payout mechanics is how you gain an edge against variance.
Basic payout mechanics explained
At its core, pai gow poker uses three outcomes for each wager:
- Win: If both your five-card and two-card hands beat the dealer’s corresponding hands, you collect even money (1:1) on your wager.
- Loss: If both of your hands lose to the dealer’s respective hands, you lose your entire wager.
- Push (split): If you win one hand and lose the other, the result is a push — your original wager is returned and no money changes hands.
That straightforward structure is why pai gow poker produces a lot of tied hands. In practice you’ll see many pushes, which reduces variance and lengthens sessions. Note: some casinos apply specific tie rules or minor commissions that alter the effective payout — always check the table signage or ask the dealer.
How the banker role affects pai gow payouts
One of pai gow’s unique features is that players may take the banker position. When you bank, you face all players and the dealer pays you when you win. Here are key points to know:
- Banking often reduces the house edge because ties frequently resolve in the banker’s favor.
- To bank, casinos may require a minimum bankroll or rotate the banking duty among players.
- Some casinos charge a commission on banker wins (commonly 5%), which affects net pai gow payouts. Always confirm whether a commission applies.
Choosing when to bank is a strategic call: inexperienced players can benefit from reduced variance and improved long-term return by banking when it’s allowed, but be mindful of commission structures.
Side bets and bonus payouts — worth the ticket?
Many casinos offer side bets (often called Fortune Bonus, Progressive, or Dealer Qualify bonuses) that pay when you make very strong five-card hands: straights, flushes, full houses, four of a kind, or five-card straights/royals depending on variation. These side bets advertise large payouts but also come with much higher house edges than the base game.
Questions you should ask before placing a side bet:
- What is the exact payout table for the bonus?
- Does the bonus trigger only on the player’s five-card hand or on both hands?
- What’s the frequency of those bonus hands (it’s usually low)?
My rule of thumb: enjoy side bets for entertainment in small amounts, but don’t rely on them to improve your long-term pai gow payouts — they are designed to boost casino profits.
Common payout examples
To make payouts tangible, here are realistic examples showing how a single $50 wager can resolve (assuming no commission and standard even-money pay):
- Win both hands: +$50 (you receive your original $50 plus $50 winnings)
- Lose both hands: −$50
- Split: $0 (your $50 returned)
Because so many hands result in splits, session-to-session swings are muted — which is why many players regard pai gow poker as a low-variance choice for long play.
How table rules change expected payouts
Not all pai gow tables are identical. A few rule details that change expected payouts include:
- Dealer win/tie rule: Some casinos rule that ties go to the dealer; others treat ties as pushes. Dealer-favors increase the house edge.
- Commission on banker wins: A 5% commission reduces net payouts when banking.
- Qualification rules for the dealer: The dealer may need a specific hand (e.g., an ace or high pair) to qualify for certain side payouts; this will affect the frequency of side bonus wins.
Because of these variables, I always check table rules before sitting down and calculate how they impact pai gow payouts for my expected play style.
Strategy that affects payouts: How to set your hands
Setting your five-card and two-card hands correctly is one of the few decisions that directly changes your expected monetary return. Casinos publish the “house way” — a chart that the dealer must follow when they are banking. Many experienced players use those same principles when setting their hands, because the house way is engineered to optimize returns for the casino while offering a predictable structure.
Key strategy principles:
- Always make the best five-card hand you reasonably can while obeying the rule that the five-card hand must outrank the two-card hand.
- A strong two-card hand (like a pair of aces) can sometimes be split between the two-card hand and the five-card hand depending on the composition of the other five cards; follow established charts when learning.
- If you’re uncertain, following the house way is a safe beginner strategy and minimizes costly mistakes.
Practice with a free online simulator before you sit at a live table. Over time you’ll learn the small hand-setting tweaks that increase the number of times both your hands win simultaneously.
Bankroll, session planning, and realistic expectations
Pai gow payouts and variance combine to produce long, steady stretches. That’s excellent for reducing short-term risk, but it also means you must plan sessions thoughtfully:
- Set session length and a loss limit — because extended play can erode any advantage from rare good runs.
- Use smaller wagers to maximize time on the table and give strategic decisions more weight.
- Keep side bets small and avoid chasing jackpots as they dramatically change expected returns.
When I first learned, I converted my entertainment budget into 2–3 hour sessions at minimal stakes. Watching how pai gow payouts unfolded hand by hand taught me more than pages of theory ever could.
Where to find official payout tables and credible resources
Before sitting down, consult the casino’s posted rules and payout tables. For a quick online reference and to double-check local rules, I often visit reputable game guides and casino pages. One convenient resource that aggregates rules and tips (including local table variations) can be found here: pai gow payouts. That page is a quick way to confirm whether a table charges commission or offers certain bonus bets.
Remember: the single most important step in protecting your expected return is verifying the rules at each table.
Frequently asked questions
Do pai gow payouts include a commission?
Some casinos charge a 5% commission on winning banker wagers. This is not universal — many casinos do not charge commission or only apply it to player-bank wins. Check the table’s rules before you play.
Are side bets recommended?
No, not for bankroll growth. Side bets generally increase variance and have a higher house edge. Treat them as optional entertainment rather than a value play.
How much can I expect to win long term?
Pai gow is a low-variance game; long-term wins are modest unless you significantly out-play others at the table or exploit rare dealer rule advantages. Expect slow, steady outcomes rather than big swings.
Closing thoughts
Understanding pai gow payouts doesn’t require memorizing complicated math, but it does require attention to table rules, side bets, and hand-setting strategy. If you want low-variance casino play that rewards patience and disciplined decision-making, pai gow poker is an excellent choice — especially when you pay attention to the small payout mechanics that determine whether a hand is a win, loss, or push.
For a quick reference to payout rules and typical variations at different venues, see this resource: pai gow payouts. Use that as a starting point, then practice hand-setting and session planning to make the most of every visit to the table.
