Pai Gow House Way

Pai Gow Poker hand-setting rules and card classifications based on Graton Resort & Casino guidelines.

High Card – No Pair

Place the highest card in the high hand and the next two cards in the low hand.

One Pair

Place the pair in the high hand and the next two highest cards in the low hand.

Two Pair (HP+HP)

Always split.

Two Pair (MP+HP)

Always split.

Two Pair (MP+MP)

Split unless an Ace can be played in the low hand.

Two Pair (LP+HP)

Split unless an Ace can be played in the low hand.

Two Pair (LP+MP)

Split unless an Ace can be played in the low hand.

Two Pair (LP+LP)

Split unless an Ace can be played in the low hand.

Three Pair

Always play the highest pair in the low hand.

Three-of-a-Kind

Use as the high hand unless there are three Aces, then split and play one Ace in the low hand.

Three-of-a-kind with Two Pair

Play the highest pair in the low hand.

Two Three-of-a-kinds

Always split the highest $3$-of-a-kind as a pair to the low hand.

Full House

Always split a full house unless the pair is $2\text{'s}$, and an $A+J$ or higher can be played in the low hand.

Straights, Flushes and Straight-Flushes

Play the combination which allows the highest two cards to be played in the low hand while preserving the straight, flush, or straight flush.

Straights, Flushes and Straight-Flushes with an Ace and a Pair of $10\text{'s}$ or better

Play the Ace and the next highest card in the low hand if the low hand is improved over playing the straight, flush, or straight flush.

Straights, Flushes and Straight-Flushes with One Pair

Place the pair in the low hand if a straight, flush, or Straight-Flush can be preserved in the high hand.

Straights, Flushes and Straight-Flushes with Two Pair

Use the two pair rule unless the straight, flush, or straight-flush can be preserved in the high hand with a pair in the low hand.

Straights, Flushes and Straight-Flushes with Three-of-a-Kind

Split pair into the low hand preserving the straight, flush, or Straight-Flush.

Straights, Flushes and Straight-Flushes with Three-of-a-Kind (Aces)

Preserve the Straight, Flush, or Straight-Flush and remaining Ace(s) in the low hand.

Four of a Kind Jacks or better

Always split.

Four of a Kind $7\text{'s}$ – $10\text{'s}$

Split unless an Ace can be played in the low hand.

Four of a Kind $2\text{'s}$ – $6\text{'s}$

Never split, play in the high hand.

Four of a Kind Aces

Always split.

Four of a Kind with a pair

Play pair in the low hand.

Four of a Kind Aces with a pair

Split Aces unless the hand contains a pair of $7\text{'s}$ or higher.

Four of a Kind with three-of-a-kind

Split so that the highest pair is in the low hand.

Five Aces

Split placing pair of Aces in the low hand.

Five Aces + K pair

Do not split Aces; use K pair in the low hand.