Pai Gow Poker: The House Guidelines at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas

Introduction

The term 'front' denotes the two-card hand, while 'back' indicates the five-card hand.

• No pair: Position the highest card in the back and the next two highest cards in the front hand.
• One pair: Place the pair in the back with the remaining two highest cards in the front.
• Two pair: Use both pairs in the back, except in specific scenarios:
  • If one pair consists of 7's or higher and there isn't an ace singleton.
  • With a pair of jacks or better combined with 6's or better and an ace singleton.
  • Pair of aces and any other pair.
• Three pair: Always place the highest pair in the front hand.
• Three of a kind: Keep three of a kind in the back, unless splitting three aces.
• Full house: Split the hand except when holding a pair of 2's where an ace or king can be used in the front.
• Full house with three of a kind and two pairs: Position the highest of the two pairs in front.
• Three of a kind twice: Always utilize the highest pair in the front.
• Straights, flushes, straight flushes, and royal flushes: Always place straights or flushes in the high hand, unless playing as two pairs in specific conditions:
  • Any two pair and an ace singleton.
  • Pair of jacks and pair of 6\"s.
  • Pair of aces and any other pair.
  With a straight or flush of six or seven cards, always aim to position the highest possible hand in the front while preserving the straight or flush in the back. Opt for a straight or flush over straight flush to enhance the front hand to a jack or better. Choose straight or flush over the royal flush to raise the front hand to a king or better.
• Four of a kind: Play according to the ranking of the four of a kind:
  • 2 through 6: Always keep together.
  • From 7 to 10: Split unless an ace or higher can occupy the front.
  • From Jack to King: Split unless the hand also includes a pair of 10's or higher.
  • With Aces: Split unless a pair of 7's or better can be placed in front.
• Five aces: Split unless a pair of kings can be positioned in front.

Written by: Michael Shackleford