Pai Gow Insurance is played exactly like Pai Gow Poker; however, there is an optional side-bet which pays out if a player is dealt a Pai Gow hand. If you're not familiar with the term 'Pai Gow Hand' this is a non ranking hand (high card only) meaning no pairs, no straights, no flushes. A Pai Gow Poker game uses a 53-card deck that includes a joker. This card may be used to complete a straight, flush or straight flush. If it cannot be used for that purpose, it is an ace. Players receive seven cards after making a bet that may include multiple optional side bets. Fortune Pai Gow Poker is an optional bonus bet on the casino game Pai Gow poker. The Fortune bet considers the best hand possible among the player's seven cards and is reconciled against an approved1posted paytable.
Even though a lot of novice players are confused by the game, there are very few Pai Gow Poker betting options available to you.Most casinos offer only one type of bet for pai gow poker. Other trading sites offer binary options, where legit binary options brokers will allow you to bet on financial markets. That is not the types of betting options this page is talking about. Which is totally different than a more confusing game like craps. You can find the best usa online casino for craps if you are interested in playing the dice online.
However, there are some online and live casinos that operate a little differently. Depending on where you're playing, you might be able to make one or more side bets (though all of them will carry a large house edge).
Below, we'll explain how bets are made during the game and describe the different Pai Gow Poker betting options that are available at a few casinos.
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Pai Gow Poker Betting Options
Each hand begins after you make your initial bet. There is no raising or matching that bet during the hand. Plus, side bets are rarely offered. Whatever amount you choose in the beginning represents the entire amount you're putting at risk. At some online and live casinos, you'll have additional Pai Gow Poker betting options from which to choose. For example, Fortune Pai Gow Poker is a variant that allows you to make a $5 side bet on the ranking value of your 7-card hand. If you have a 4 of a kind, you'll receive an additional 'Envy Bonus.'
Another version of the game is called Jackpot Pai Gow Poker. As the name implies, it allows you to make a side bet on an exclusive jackpot. Similar to a slots jackpot.
Emperor's Challenge is a version that offers three Pai Gow Poker betting options:
- the initial bet
- side bet
- insurance bet
The insurance bet pays out if your 7-card hand contains seven disparate cards without making a straight or flush.
Finally, a Jokolor bet is a wager that pays out if your 7-card hand contains 6 cards of the same color and a joker, or 7 cards of the same color.
Keep in mind that each of the side bets described above are seldom offered. Most casinos, both online and land-based, will only allow you to make the initial bet when playing Pai Gow. Given that the house edge is comparatively high on these side bets, this is hardly a disadvantage. Opposite to the odd/even bets you can find playing roulette, many players like to use the roulette double up betting strategy in order to quickly double their bankroll before wagering some money on the higher risk / higher reward bets in pai gow.
Best Online Casino To Bet Pai Gow Poker
The best place we've found to play Pai Gow Poker online is Bodog Casino. They keep the game simple by only offering a single betting option (your initial bet). As a result, the house edge is low (2.66%). They also provide fantastic customer support and a stimulating playing environment. Visit Bodog Casino today to enjoy the game without the unnecessary Pai Gow Poker betting options.
You can also take advantage of sports betting promos at any of the major and reputable online sportsbooks including the NFL sportsbook promos!
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On This Page
Introduction
EZ Pai Gow Poker is a commission-free pai gow poker variant. Instead of the usual 5% commission, if the dealer has exactly a queen high 5-card hand, then the hand will automatically resolve in a push. In addition, there are four side bets the player may wager on. There is also a fully-wild joker version is available to play in California.
Rules
The rules are the same as conventional pai gow poker, except:
- There is no commission.
- If the dealer has a queen-high hand, meaning the poker-value of the best five-card hand is exactly a queen high, the hand will automatically result in a push.
- Most casinos do not allow player banking. If they do, then the rules revert to normal pai gow poker for that hand.
- There are various side bets available, described separtely below.
Strategy
My strategy advice is that same as that for conventional pai gow poker. If you don't have time to study it, then if in doubt, ask the dealer to set your hand by the house way.
Analysis
The following table shows the probability and return from each outcome. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.47%.
EZ Pai Gow Poker Return Table — Partially Wild Joker
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1 | 0.274597 | 0.274597 |
| Push | 0 | 0.426112 | 0 |
| Lose | -1 | 0.299291 | -0.299291 |
| Total | 1 | -0.024694 |
Pai Gow Poker Hands
Side Bets
There are lots of side bets that are available for casino management to tack onto EZ Pai Gow Poker. Here are some that I know of. You won't see all of these at any one table, probably just two or three of them.
Dynasty Bonus
Similar to the Fortune Bonus in conventional pai gow, the Dynasty Bonus pays if the player?s best five-card hand is at least a three of a kind. It does not matter how the player sets his hand. If another player gets a four of a kind or higher, the player will win an 'Envy Bonus.' The following table shows what each hand pays for both the player's hand and the Envy Bonus. The cell bottom row in the second to last column shows a house edge of 8.16%, before considering the Envy Bonus. The cell in the bottom row and last column shows that each additional player lower the house edge by 0.90%, because of the Envy Bonus.
Version 1
In this version the player has to bet only $1 to qualify for the Envy Bonus.
Dynasty Bonus Return Table — Version 1
| Event | Dynasty Pays | Envy Bonus | Combinations | Probability | Dynasty Return | Envy Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-5 Straight Flush + Natural AQ Suited | 2000 | $100 | 12 | 0.000000 | 0.000156 | 0.000008 |
| Natural 7-card Straight Flush | 2000 | $80 | 32 | 0.000000 | 0.000415 | 0.000017 |
| Wild 7-card Straight Flush | 1000 | $40 | 196 | 0.000001 | 0.001272 | 0.000051 |
| Royal Flush + Natural AQ Suited | 1000 | $60 | 72 | 0.000000 | 0.000467 | 0.000028 |
| Five Aces | 500 | $20 | 1128 | 0.000007 | 0.003659 | 0.000146 |
| Royal Flush | 120 | $10 | 26020 | 0.000169 | 0.020257 | 0.001688 |
| A-5 Straight Flush | 120 | $15 | 4308 | 0.000028 | 0.003354 | 0.000419 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | $4 | 180324 | 0.001170 | 0.058492 | 0.004679 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | $1 | 307472 | 0.001995 | 0.049868 | 0.001995 |
| Full House | 5 | $0 | 4188528 | 0.027173 | 0.135865 | 0.000000 |
| Flush | 4 | $0 | 6172088 | 0.040041 | 0.160165 | 0.000000 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | $0 | 7672500 | 0.049775 | 0.149326 | 0.000000 |
| Straight | 2 | $0 | 11034204 | 0.071584 | 0.143168 | 0.000000 |
| Losing combinations | -1 | $0 | 124556196 | 0.808056 | -0.808056 | 0.000000 |
| Total | 154143080 | 1.000000 | -0.081593 | 0.009031 |
The next table shows the overall house edge according to the number of players, including yourself, and various bet amounts. Note that the high edge is lowest at a bet of $1. This is because the win for the Envy Bonus is the same, regardless how much the player bets.
Dynasty Bonus House Edge — Version 1
| Players | $1 bet | $2 bet | $3 bet | $5 bet | $10 bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3.64% | 5.90% | 6.65% | 7.26% | 7.71% |
| 5 | 4.55% | 6.35% | 6.96% | 7.44% | 7.80% |
| 4 | 5.45% | 6.80% | 7.26% | 7.62% | 7.89% |
| 3 | 6.35% | 7.26% | 7.56% | 7.80% | 7.98% |
| 2 | 7.26% | 7.71% | 7.86% | 7.98% | 8.07% |
| 1 | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% |
The rules are the same as conventional pai gow poker, except:
- There is no commission.
- If the dealer has a queen-high hand, meaning the poker-value of the best five-card hand is exactly a queen high, the hand will automatically result in a push.
- Most casinos do not allow player banking. If they do, then the rules revert to normal pai gow poker for that hand.
- There are various side bets available, described separtely below.
Strategy
My strategy advice is that same as that for conventional pai gow poker. If you don't have time to study it, then if in doubt, ask the dealer to set your hand by the house way.
Analysis
The following table shows the probability and return from each outcome. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.47%.
EZ Pai Gow Poker Return Table — Partially Wild Joker
| Event | Pays | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1 | 0.274597 | 0.274597 |
| Push | 0 | 0.426112 | 0 |
| Lose | -1 | 0.299291 | -0.299291 |
| Total | 1 | -0.024694 |
Pai Gow Poker Hands
Side Bets
There are lots of side bets that are available for casino management to tack onto EZ Pai Gow Poker. Here are some that I know of. You won't see all of these at any one table, probably just two or three of them.
Dynasty Bonus
Similar to the Fortune Bonus in conventional pai gow, the Dynasty Bonus pays if the player?s best five-card hand is at least a three of a kind. It does not matter how the player sets his hand. If another player gets a four of a kind or higher, the player will win an 'Envy Bonus.' The following table shows what each hand pays for both the player's hand and the Envy Bonus. The cell bottom row in the second to last column shows a house edge of 8.16%, before considering the Envy Bonus. The cell in the bottom row and last column shows that each additional player lower the house edge by 0.90%, because of the Envy Bonus.
Version 1
In this version the player has to bet only $1 to qualify for the Envy Bonus.
Dynasty Bonus Return Table — Version 1
| Event | Dynasty Pays | Envy Bonus | Combinations | Probability | Dynasty Return | Envy Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-5 Straight Flush + Natural AQ Suited | 2000 | $100 | 12 | 0.000000 | 0.000156 | 0.000008 |
| Natural 7-card Straight Flush | 2000 | $80 | 32 | 0.000000 | 0.000415 | 0.000017 |
| Wild 7-card Straight Flush | 1000 | $40 | 196 | 0.000001 | 0.001272 | 0.000051 |
| Royal Flush + Natural AQ Suited | 1000 | $60 | 72 | 0.000000 | 0.000467 | 0.000028 |
| Five Aces | 500 | $20 | 1128 | 0.000007 | 0.003659 | 0.000146 |
| Royal Flush | 120 | $10 | 26020 | 0.000169 | 0.020257 | 0.001688 |
| A-5 Straight Flush | 120 | $15 | 4308 | 0.000028 | 0.003354 | 0.000419 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | $4 | 180324 | 0.001170 | 0.058492 | 0.004679 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | $1 | 307472 | 0.001995 | 0.049868 | 0.001995 |
| Full House | 5 | $0 | 4188528 | 0.027173 | 0.135865 | 0.000000 |
| Flush | 4 | $0 | 6172088 | 0.040041 | 0.160165 | 0.000000 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | $0 | 7672500 | 0.049775 | 0.149326 | 0.000000 |
| Straight | 2 | $0 | 11034204 | 0.071584 | 0.143168 | 0.000000 |
| Losing combinations | -1 | $0 | 124556196 | 0.808056 | -0.808056 | 0.000000 |
| Total | 154143080 | 1.000000 | -0.081593 | 0.009031 |
The next table shows the overall house edge according to the number of players, including yourself, and various bet amounts. Note that the high edge is lowest at a bet of $1. This is because the win for the Envy Bonus is the same, regardless how much the player bets.
Dynasty Bonus House Edge — Version 1
| Players | $1 bet | $2 bet | $3 bet | $5 bet | $10 bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3.64% | 5.90% | 6.65% | 7.26% | 7.71% |
| 5 | 4.55% | 6.35% | 6.96% | 7.44% | 7.80% |
| 4 | 5.45% | 6.80% | 7.26% | 7.62% | 7.89% |
| 3 | 6.35% | 7.26% | 7.56% | 7.80% | 7.98% |
| 2 | 7.26% | 7.71% | 7.86% | 7.98% | 8.07% |
| 1 | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% |
Version 2
In this version the player has to bet $5 to qualify for the Envy Bonus, which are usually five times as large as the Envy Bonuses in version 1.
Dynasty Bonus Return Table — Version 2
| Event | Dynasty Pays | Envy Bonus | Combinations | Probability | Dynasty Return | Envy Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-5 Straight Flush + Natural AQ Suited | 2000 | $500 | 12 | 0.000000 | 0.000156 | 0.000008 |
| Natural 7-card Straight Flush | 2000 | $400 | 32 | 0.000000 | 0.000415 | 0.000017 |
| Royal Flush + Natural AQ Suited | 1000 | $300 | 72 | 0.000000 | 0.000467 | 0.000028 |
| Wild 7-card Straight Flush | 1000 | $200 | 196 | 0.000001 | 0.001272 | 0.000051 |
| Five Aces | 500 | $100 | 1128 | 0.000007 | 0.003659 | 0.000146 |
| Royal Flush | 120 | $75 | 26020 | 0.000169 | 0.020257 | 0.002532 |
| A-5 Straight Flush | 120 | $50 | 4308 | 0.000028 | 0.003354 | 0.000279 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | $20 | 180324 | 0.001170 | 0.058492 | 0.004679 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | $5 | 307472 | 0.001995 | 0.049868 | 0.001995 |
| Full House | 5 | $0 | 4188528 | 0.027173 | 0.135865 | 0.000000 |
| Flush | 4 | $0 | 6172088 | 0.040041 | 0.160165 | 0.000000 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | $0 | 7672500 | 0.049775 | 0.149326 | 0.000000 |
| Straight | 2 | $0 | 11034204 | 0.071584 | 0.143168 | 0.000000 |
| Losing combinations | -1 | $0 | 124556196 | 0.808056 | -0.808056 | 0.000000 |
| Total | 154143080 | 1.000000 | -0.081593 | 0.009735 |
The next table shows the overall house edge according to the number of players, including yourself, and various bet amounts. Note that the high edge is lowest at a bet of $1. This is because the win for the Envy Bonus is the same, regardless how much the player bets.
Dynasty Bonus House Edge — Version 2
| Players | $5 bet | $10 bet | $15 bet | $20 bet | $25 bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3.64% | 5.90% | 6.65% | 7.03% | 7.26% |
| 5 | 4.55% | 6.35% | 6.96% | 7.26% | 7.44% |
| 4 | 5.45% | 6.80% | 7.26% | 7.48% | 7.62% |
| 3 | 6.35% | 7.26% | 7.56% | 7.71% | 7.80% |
| 2 | 7.26% | 7.71% | 7.86% | 7.93% | 7.98% |
| 1 | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% | 8.16% |
Bonus Bet
This is very similar to the Dynasty Bonus, and is paired with games offering the G3 electronic side bet wagering. As far as I can tell at the Rampart casino, it is just titled the 'Bonus Bet.'
Bonus Bet Return Table
| Event | Dynasty Pays | Envy Bonus | Combinations | Probability | Dynasty Return | Envy Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural 7-card Straight Flush | 8000 | $5000 | 32 | 0.000000 | 0.001661 | 0.000208 |
| Royal Flush + Natural AQ Suited | 2000 | $1000 | 72 | 0.000000 | 0.000934 | 0.000093 |
| Wild 7-card Straight Flush | 1000 | $500 | 196 | 0.000001 | 0.001272 | 0.000127 |
| Five Aces | 400 | $250 | 1128 | 0.000007 | 0.002927 | 0.000366 |
| Royal Flush | 150 | $50 | 26020 | 0.000169 | 0.025321 | 0.001688 |
| Straight Flush | 50 | $20 | 184644 | 0.001198 | 0.059894 | 0.004791 |
| Four of a Kind | 25 | $5 | 307472 | 0.001995 | 0.049868 | 0.001995 |
| Full House | 5 | $0 | 4188528 | 0.027173 | 0.135865 | 0.000000 |
| Flush | 4 | $0 | 6172088 | 0.040041 | 0.160165 | 0.000000 |
| Three of a Kind | 3 | $0 | 7672500 | 0.049775 | 0.149326 | 0.000000 |
| Straight | 2 | $0 | 11034204 | 0.071584 | 0.143168 | 0.000000 |
| Losing combinations | -1 | $0 | 124556196 | 0.808056 | -0.808056 | 0.000000 |
| Total: | 154143080 | 1.000000 | -0.077656 | 0.009268 |
The next table shows the overall house edge according to the number of players, including yourself, and various bet amounts. Note that the high edge is lowest at a bet of $1. This is because the win for the Envy Bonus is the same, regardless how much the player bets.
Bonus Bet House Edge
| Players | $1-$4 bet | $5 bet | $10 bet | $15 bet | $25 bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7.77% | 3.13% | 5.45% | 6.22% | 6.84% |
| 5 | 7.77% | 4.06% | 5.91% | 6.53% | 7.02% |
| 4 | 7.77% | 4.99% | 6.38% | 6.84% | 7.21% |
| 3 | 7.77% | 5.91% | 6.84% | 7.15% | 7.39% |
| 2 | 7.77% | 6.84% | 7.30% | 7.46% | 7.58% |
| 1 | 7.77% | 7.77% | 7.77% | 7.77% | 7.77% |
Protection
Similar to Pai Gow Insurance, the Protection bet pays if the player?s best five-card hand is an ace high or less. The following table shows what each event pays, the probability, and contribution to the return. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 7.01%.
Pai Gow Poker Rules Strategy
Protection Return Table
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-5 Straight flush | 120 | 4320 | 0.000028 | 0.003363 |
| 9 High Pai Gow | 100 | 31080 | 0.000202 | 0.020163 |
| T High Pai Gow | 25 | 248640 | 0.001613 | 0.040326 |
| J High Pai Gow | 15 | 963480 | 0.006251 | 0.093758 |
| Q High Pai Gow | 7 | 2719500 | 0.017643 | 0.123499 |
| K High Pai Gow | 5 | 6386940 | 0.041435 | 0.207176 |
| A High Pai Gow | 3 | 14430780 | 0.093619 | 0.280858 |
| Non-Pai Gow | -1 | 129358340 | 0.83921 | -0.83921 |
| Total: | 154143080 | 1 | -0.070066 |
Red/Black
The Red/Black wagers pay if the chosen color is in the majority of the player?s cards. In other words, the player needs at least four cards of the chosen side to win. The joker counts as neither color. The following table shows what each event pays, the probability, and contribution to the return. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.68%.
Protection Return Table
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5 | 657800 | 0.004267 | 0.021337 |
| 4 to 6 | 1 | 73033740 | 0.473805 | 0.473805 |
| 0 to 3 | -1 | 80451540 | 0.521928 | -0.521928 |
| Total | 154143080 | 1 | -0.026786 |
Queen's Dragon
The Queen's Dragon pays if the dealer has exactly a queen-high pai gow hand. Winning bets may pay 45 or 50 to 1, depending on how generous/stingy casino management is. The following two return tables show the house edge is 18.84% at 45 to 1, and 10.02% at 50 to 1.
Queen's Dragon — 45 to 1
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen-high pai gow | 45 | 2,719,500 | 0.017643 | 0.793921 |
| Lose | -1 | 151,423,580 | 0.982357 | -0.982357 |
| Total | 154,143,080 | 1.000000 | -0.188436 |
Queen's Dragon — 50 to 1
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen-high pai gow | 50 | 2,719,500 | 0.017643 | 0.882135 |
| Lose | -1 | 151,423,580 | 0.982357 | -0.982357 |
| Total | 154,143,080 | 1.000000 | -0.100222 |
Progressive Pai Gow
This is a progressive side bet found with G3 electronic betting units. The player may bet $1 to $25. All jackpot wins are the same, regardless of bet size, so I would never bet more than $1. As usual with progressive bets, wins are on a 'for one' basis. That means you don't get your original bet back, even if you win. To be consistent with other pages on this site, the following page is on a 'return basis,' meaning what the player can expect to get back for his bet, based on a $1 bet.
Progressive Pai Gow
| Event | Pays | Combinations | Probability | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7-card Straight Flush | Jackpot | $228 | 0.000001 | 0.000000 |
| Five Aces | 0.1×Jackpot | $1,128 | 0.000007 | 0.000000 |
| Royal Flush | $500 | $26,092 | 0.000169 | 0.084636 |
| Straight Flush | $100 | $184,644 | 0.001198 | 0.119787 |
| Four of a Kind | $75 | $307,472 | 0.001995 | 0.149604 |
| Full House | $4 | $4,188,528 | 0.027173 | 0.108692 |
| All other | 0 | $149,434,988 | 0.969456 | 0.000000 |
| Total | 154,143,080 | 1.000000 | 0.462719 |
The bottom right corner shows a return of 46.27% on all fixed wins. The value of the progressive is 22.11% for each $100,000 in the meter. To reach 100% the meter would need to be $243,011.06. When I saw this bet at the Rampart casino on March 17, 2011, the meter was at $207,361, for a return of 92.12%. This was probably unusually high, because the Rampart has had a truck with a big sign in the back drive around Summerlin promoting the large jackpot.
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank game inventor Dan Lubin and mathematician Charles Mousseau of Future Sight Gaming for providing me the mathematical analysis report of this game, which this page is based on.
Written by:Michael Shackleford
