Pai Gow Poker is played with a standard deck of 52 cards and one Joker. Each player is dealt a total of seven cards and the idea is to make two hands with those seven cards – one standard five-card poker hand and a two-card hand.
The player's stake is divided between the two-card hand ('up front') and the five-card hand ('behind'), and the idea is to attempt to beat both of the hands the dealer will be making with his seven cards. Successfully doing so will see the player win both pots. The five-card hand adheres to the same ranking criteria as you'd find in any game of poker, with one exception – it is possible to make 'Five of a Kind' using the Joker, which ranks higher than a Royal Flush.
The two-card hand is ranked by Pairs first, followed by high cards. The best possible two-card hand is a Pair of Aces and the worst possible two-card hand is 3-2.
In Pai Gow Poker the Joker can be used to complete either a Straight or a Flush in the five-card hand. At all other times it is considered to be an Ace.
To offset the advantage the player has by being able to use a degree of leeway in their strategy – unlike the dealer who has to play his cards according to set criteria (the 'House Way') – they are charged a 5% commission if they win both hands. For example, by betting £1 and winning both hands a player would realise a return of £1.95. This commission only applies, though, if a player wins BOTH hands.
The only restriction players have on their hands is that they cannot place a stronger hand 'up front' than 'behind'. In other words, the two-card hand can’t be stronger than the five-card hand.