In order to win, both the low hand and the high hand must beat the dealer’s low hand and high hand.If you’re not sure how to play your hand, don’t hesitate to ask the dealer to set it how they’re required to play the hand, or the “house-way.”.However, if you make a mistake and set your low hand higher than your high hand, it is called a “foul hand” and you automatically lose.House rules will vary from casino to casino, but for the most part, they are fairly similar and you, as the player, can set your hand any way you want.In the San Diego area, you’ll find both Jokers Wild pai gow poker, where the joker can be used as any card, or the so-called Vegas-Style house rules, which limits what the joker can be used for. Depending on the casino, the joker will either be completely wild or it can only be used as an Ace or to complete a straight or a flush.You need to know poker-hand rankings in order to properly set hands (see illustration). The player will be dealt seven cards with which they must make two hands: a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand.The game is played with a regular 52-card deck plus a joker.(Alejandro Tamayo / The San Diego Union-Tribune ) Pai gow basics Pai gow poker is known for its slow, relaxed pace, adding to its enjoyment.
Allyson Ott, CEO of The Casino Institute, deals pai gow poker.
