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Do you need an online poker game with a fresh twist? Pai Gow is a Chinese poker variant that’s quickly gaining fans in Canada. Here we uncover the best Pai Gow Poker sites and games, review your gaming options, betting strategies, bonuses, and everything else you need to play this popular poker variant.
| Recommended Casinos for Pai Gow | Why this Casino? | Number of Titles | Popular Pai Gow Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CashWin | Best pai gow casino overall | 3 | Classic, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Emperor’s Challenge |
| 2 BetPlays | Fastest pai gow poker payouts | 5 | Fortune, Classic Pai Gow Poker, Pai Gow Mania |
| 3 SkyCrown | Best pai gow poker bonuses | 4 | Fortune Pai Gow Poker |
Our experts tested dozens of online Pai Gow Poker variants to uncover the ones that stand out for smooth gameplay and high RTP. Whether you’re after a relaxing table session or a high-stakes thrill, these are the top 3 Pai Gow games worth your time (and chips).
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The most respected casino software providers have had their hand in creating some incredible Pai Gow games. You’ll find these games and more at our recommended Canadian online casinos.
Here are some of the top providers of Pai Gow Poker games:
Pai Gow Poker from BetSoft boasts stunning visual elements, featuring a vibrant green felt table, high-resolution cards, and sleek animations. What sets this game apart is that it is one of the only Pai Gow variations that allows players to bet using cryptocurrencies. All you need to do is choose how many chips you want to wager, wait for the cards to be dealt, and select two cards to form your weaker hand.
Nucleus Gaming proves that simplicity and functionality can coexist in their online Pai Gow game. With a classy leather-framed table and user-friendly betting features, it’s easy for anyone to pick up and play. For a modern online poker experience with a twist on the traditional rules, the inviting visuals and easy interface of this game make it a solid choice.
Canadians have multiple safe and convenient ways to deposit and withdraw funds. The best Pai Gow Poker sites offer a diverse selection of payment methods to suit your preferences, such as credit/debit cards, bank transfers, cryptocurrencies, and e-wallets.
We suggest reviewing the top online casinos where you wish to play Pai Gow Poker for the available payment methods, terms and conditions for bonus availability, and any potential fees related to withdrawals.
Mobile casino players are increasingly turning to their handheld devices to enjoy games like Pai Gow Poker online. All the best Pai Gow Poker sites cater to mobile users, either through a dedicated app or mobile-optimized website. One of the biggest advantages of mobile gaming is that Canadians can enjoy the convenience of playing anywhere, at any time.
Let’s take you through the rules so you’re ready to hit the tables. The game is played with a 52-card deck as well as a single joker. When you play Pai Gow Poker online for real money, the aim is to create a five-card and a two-card poker hand from a total of seven cards.
To win the game, your five-card hand must be higher than the two-card hand, and both of your poker hands must beat those of the dealers.
Hand rankings in online Pai Gow are similar to regular poker, however the inclusion of a joker in the deck means that five aces are the best possible hand, beating even a royal flush.
Here’s our easy step-by-step guide to playing online in Canada:
| 1 Familiarize yourself with the 10 basic 5-card hands in traditional poker. |
| 2 Place your bet before you receive your hand. |
| 3 Click “Deal” to pass out 7 cards to each player. |
| 4 Form your 5-card hand and your 2-card hand. |
| 5 Compare your 2-card hand to the dealer's 2-card hand. |
| 6 Compare your 5-card hand to the dealer's 5-card hand. |
| 7 Win the round by defeating both of the dealer's hands. |
If you know the traditional poker hands rankings, there isn’t much you need to learn before playing this game. The only difference being that in Pai Gow, five aces are the best hand. If you haven’t played traditional poker, we’ve got your back.
Here’s how it works:
The house edge for Pai Gow depends on the version you play, which typically ranges between 2.00% and 2.50%. Consequently, the Return to Player (RTP) rate is an average of 97.75%, depending on the specific game, side bets, and other factors. We suggest you look at the pay table for details about the RTP.
Try these advanced poker strategies and betting tips to help you make the most of every hand:
Make sure your two-card hand is as strong as possible without surpassing your five-card hand. This balance increases your chances of winning both hands.
If you have a single pair, keep it in your five-card hand. With two pairs, split them based on the house rules. Unless you have an ace, in which case play it in your two-card hand.
The joker can be used as an ace or to complete a straight or flush. Use the joker strategically to create a stronger or winning hand.
It’s often helpful to split your full house. Place the pair in your two-card hand and the three-of-a-kind in your five-card hand, to increase your winning potential.
If your four-of-a-kind is of sixes or below, keep it together. For sevens through 10s, split unless you have an ace or better for the two-card hand. For higher values, always split.
While side bets such as fortune increase your winning potential, they usually come with a lower RTP. Treat them as occasional fun bets rather than a playing strategy.
Some Pai Gow Poker sites allow you to play your hand the “house way”, making decisions on your behalf. Use this feature if you’re unsure how to set your hand for the best chance of winning.
Below, we compare some popular online poker variants, so you can see how Pai Gow weighs up against similar games available in Canada.
| Poker Variant | Pai Gow | Texas Hold’em | Omaha | Seven-Card Stud | Three-Card |
| Number of cards dealt | Seven personal cards | Two personal, five community cards | Four personal, five community cards | Seven personal cards | Three personal cards |
| Objective | Create two hands (five-card and two-card hand) beating both of the dealer’s hands | Create the best five-card hand | Create the best five-card hand with two personal and three community cards | Create the best five-card hand | Create the best three-card hand |
| Gameplay | Players face the dealer; involves splitting cards into two hands | Personal and community cards included; multiple betting rounds | Similar to Texas Hold’em; higher chance of strong hands | No community cards | Fast-paced; simple hand rankings; no community cards or draw rounds |
| Strategy | Requires understanding of how to optimally split hands | Strategy around betting, bluffing, and playing your position | Requires understanding of hand potentials and betting strategies | Requires good memory and betting strategies | Fewer decisions make it easier for beginners |
Pai Gow Poker may seem like a slow-paced table game, but in reality, it’s a challenging mix of strategy and tradition. If you’re after some excitement and appreciate the double-hand structure that Pai Gow Poker offers, you’ll enjoy similar casino games with strategy and depth.
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