The Rules of Fortune Pai Gow Poker

OVERVIEW

Fortune Pai Gow Pokertm is played like regular poker except the players may make an additional bonus bet separate from their original wager. The bonus bet wins if the player makes a 5-card qualifying poker hand within any of the 7 cards dealt. The payoff for each qualifying hand will be posted at the table and all other Pai Gow Poker rules remain the same. Table limits will be posted for regular and bonus bets (maximum bonus bet for dealer will be $4.00).

OBJECT OF THE GAME

A player receives 7 cards, which must be arranged in a five-card hand (referred to as the high hand) and a two-card hand (referred to as the low hand).

The deck contains 52 cards and 1 joker. The joker may be used to complete a straight, flush, straight flush, or used as an ace. When used it is considered the highest card for the situation.

The object is to win your bet by having both of your hands rank higher than both hands of the banker. Hands are ranked as traditional poker hands (exception: A,2,3,4,5 being SECOND highest straight).

The five-card hand must outrank the two-card hand according to the rules of poker. If the five-card hand does not out rank the two-card hand the hand is a foul and may be subject to forfeiture.

The player wins if they win both high and low hands.

The banker wins if they win both high and low hands.

If one hand is a win and the other a loser, the bet pushes.

The banker wins all absolute tie rankings whether it is the house or a player banker.

There is a 5% commission to the house on all Pai Gow Poker winnings.

A player may only bank when the banker button gets to their spot and they have enough money in front of them to cover all bets on the table.

Poker Rankings

Poker rankings in Fortune Pai Gow Pokertm (bonus rankings differ) are the same as in regular poker except for exceptions as noted in the following table:

Seven Card Straight Flush	Seven cards in consecutive order of the same suit.
Royal Flush + Royal Match	10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit plus Q, K of another suit
Seven Card Straight Flush With Joker	Seven cards in consecutive order of the same suit with Joker
Five of a Kind	Five of the same value card (exception: can only be aces)
Royal Flush	10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit
Straight Flush	Any five-card straight in the same suit
Four of a Kind	Four of the same value card
Full House	Three of the same value card and a pair of same value cards
Flush	Five cards of the same suit
Straight	Five cards in consecutive order (exception: A, 2, 3, 4, 5 being the SECOND highest straight)
Three of a Kind	Three of the same value card
Two Pair	Two separate pairs of cards
One Pair	A single pair of same value cards
High Card	A hand with no pairs, straights, or flushes

Bonus Hands

The bonus bet is a bet that is separate from the original wager. It is an optional bet for the player. A Three of a Kind or higher qualifies for the bonus payoff if there is a bonus wager and gets paid according to the payoff table in appendix 2. The payoffs will also be posted on the table. The player will get paid for a qualifying bonus hand if it is in the five card high hand or divided up between the high and low hand.

ENVY BONUS

The envy bonus is paid for every player who has played a minimum of $5 in the bonus spot, except the player with the qualifying hand. Any player who is eligible will receive a bonus if any player receives a qualifying hand. Envy bonus is paid on 4 of a kind and higher according to the payoff table in appendix 2.

Table Opening

When opening a new table the dealer and floor supervisor will check the bankroll for accuracy and sign and drop the table inventory slip.

If an automated shuffler is used, two decks of cards will be used, each with a different color back. If on a game where a manual shuffle will be used, only one deck of cards is used.

When cards are placed on the gaming table a casino supervisor will break the seal then give the cards to the dealer for inspection. The dealer or casino supervisor will spread cards face up in two rows to verify that all cards are present. The backs of the cards will be checked to make certain there are no marking, which can be identified as to the value of the card. Cards will be checked for any kind of damage. If after checking the cards, the dealer or supervisor finds that cards are damaged or improper, the supervisor will replace them. When replacing cards on the initial opening the whole deck in question will be replaced with a new deck from inventory. The defective deck will have the defect noted, and returned to the Card and Dice storage.

A joker is included in each deck to make a total of 53 cards for each deck (unused jokers shall be immediately cancelled with a black magic marker).

After the first deck is checked, it will be spread and washed on the table. If an automated shuffler is used, then they will be collected, riffled once, and inserted into the automatic shuffler. For a manual shuffle they will be spread and washed then continue with the manual shuffle procedure.

If an automated shuffler is used, the second deck is then washed and riffled the same way.

If there is no player at the table, the second deck will be spread face down. If there is a player, the bets will be checked and the cards loaded into the shuffle machine to start the first hand.

Shuffle

The standard shuffle after a hand is complete is to riffle once and place the deck into the shuffle machine. Pai Gow will be dealt from an automatic shuffler. In the event that a shuffler breaks down, the dealers will use a manual shuffle. If an error light turns on during the shuffle, the cards in the machine will not be brought into play until a supervisor investigates the error. The dealer will riffle twice, strip the cards (5-7 times), and riffle once more. If manually dealt a player will be offered the cut, if nobody wishes to cut the dealer will call out "Dealer Cut", and cut the cards in the middle. The cards will then be dealt out placing one card in seven different piles starting from left to right, then right to left. This will be continued until there are seven cards in each pile. The stack to the far left will be moved slightly towards the players to indicate the first hand out, and the stack to the far right will be rotated sideways to indicate the last hand to be delivered.

Dealing The Cards

All spots will be dealt cards regardless if there is a bet present or not.

After a deck is loaded into the shuffle machine, the machine will produce the first 7-card hand and generate a random number. Starting at the banker, count spots from right to left until the random number is reached. This spot will receive the first hand. Each spot, including the house, will receive a seven-card hand going in order left to right.

In a manually dealt game the dealer will shake a dice cup containing 3 dice to determine the random number. If player banked the player banker will be offered the cup to shake. The dealer must be the one to remove the cover from the shaker. Once the number has been exposed, the dealer will start at the banker and count spots from right to left until the random number is reached.

Hands will be fanned or spread near the players' betting area.

After all spots have hands, there should be 4 cards left over. These should be spread face down and verified then put into the discard rack. The dealer will remove any hands where there are no wagers, and place these cards into the discard rack.

The dealer shall announce to the players that it is ok to set their hands.

Card Placement

All hands are dealt near the player's wager and the house hand placed in front of the rack.

There are two rectangles behind the player bets, which are marked ‘high hand' and ‘low hand'. The players must place their 5 card high hand in the box marked ‘high hand' and the 2 card low hand in the box marked ‘low hand'.

After all player hands have been set, and have been placed in the appropriate boxes, the dealer will turn their cards over and spread the cards in front of the rack.

The dealer will then set their hand according to the house ways in appendix 1.

The dealer's 2 card low hand will be placed on top of the 5 card high hand and centered in front of the rack so as to have 2 rows of cards.

Once the players' hands are set and the dealer turns over their cards, the players may not touch their cards again.

Once the dealer hand is set then the dealer will compare hands from right to left. The dealer will turn over the low hand first and spread the cards slightly from left to right so the numbers are visible. Then the same is done with the high hand. The high and low hands should occupy the same general spot when they are spread as they did when the hand was set face down.

Paying and Taking: Dealer Bank

After all hands are set, the dealer will start with the player farthest right and turn their cards over for comparison. The dealer will turn over the 2-card hand and then the 5-card hand, spreading each so that the cards can be easily read for comparison.

The dealer will pay and take from right to left.

If the player's hand is a loser, the bet will be taken and put in the rack. The bonus bet will be checked then and taken if a loser, or paid if a winner. The cards will then be picked up and placed in the discard rack with the low hand on top, if it does not qualify as an envy hand. If the hand is a qualifying envy hand the cards will be left exposed and the dealer will move to the next hand.

If the hand is a push, a tapping motion will be made by the dealer by the bet to indicate such. The original wager stays where it is. The bonus bet is then paid or taken accordingly. The cards will then be picked up and placed in the discard rack with the low hand on top, if it does not qualify as an envy hand. If the hand is a qualifying envy hand the cards will be left exposed and the dealer will move to the next hand.

If the hand is a winner, the original wager will be paid first. A 5% commission will then be collected for the original wager. The bonus bet is then paid or taken accordingly. The cards will then be picked up and placed in the discard rack with the low hand on top, if it does not qualify as an envy hand. If the hand is a qualifying envy hand, the cards will be left exposed and the dealer will move to the next hand.

After all hands have been paid/taken, and all bonuses paid, any envy bonus' will be paid for each qualifying player from right to left.

No commission shall be collected on bonus winnings.

After all bets are paid and all player cards are in the discard rack, the dealer will take their cards and place them in the discard rack.

Dealers will break down all multi-colored bets, bring out the full payoff amount, and pay the winning wager. The commission shall then be collected from the player. If the player does not have change for commission or wishes the dealer to take it out of his winnings then it will be done at this time. Any hand which has been set with the low-hand having a higher ranking than the high-hand is considered foul.

If a player sets a foul hand it is an automatic loser, and the Floor Supervisor shall be called.

Moving the bank button

Whenever opening a table, the bank button will start at the dealer. After the first hand is complete and all the cards are put in the discard rack the dealer will move the bank button to the first active player to the dealers right. The button will be moved right to left (counter-clockwise). The button will be positioned in front of the player's wager. If the player does not bank, the button is left in front of the players wager until the hand is complete. After the hand is complete and all cards are put in the discard rack the bank button will move left to the next active player. If a player does bank, the button will be set on the players betting circle in order for everyone to identify that the player wants to bank. The paying and taking; player banker procedure will then be followed. After the hand is complete the button will move left to the next active player. A player may bank only once as the button goes around the table. The bank button will start over by going back to the dealer after it's been to the last active player.

Paying and Taking: Player Banker

If a player chooses to bank, after all players have made their wagers, the dealer shall inform the banker how much is at risk. Then the dealer must be sure that they have an adequate amount of checks in front of him/her to cover the wagers. If they do not, then they must buy in for enough to cover all wagers. If they cannot produce enough to cover all wagers then they may not bank the table.

The dealer will then ask how much the banker would like the house to wager against them. The player-banker may request a bet up to, but not exceeding their last wager against the house. If the player banker did not play the previous hand the house wager will be equal to the table minimum bet.

Cards will then be dealt (with the banker as the #1 spot). The house cards will have the house bet placed on top of them and the banker cards will have the banker button placed on top of them.

All players will then set their hands except for the player banker. When all hands are set then the player banker will set their hand. After the player banker sets their hand, the dealer sets the house hand.

The dealer will then compare the house hand with the player banker and determine win, lose, or push. If the house wins then the wager against the player banker is put to the side of the rack until all hands are determined. If the hand is a push then the dealer will put the house wager back in the rack. If the player banker wins the hand then the wager will be placed in the middle of the table above the house hand area. The bonus bet is then paid or taken accordingly.

After comparing the player-banker hand with the house hand the house hand will be picked up and put into the discard rack. The player banker hand will then be brought down to the house hand area and positioned as if it was the house hand.

All hands and bets are then acted upon in order with the exception of losing player wagers are put in the middle of the table instead of in the rack. Losing bonus wagers are paid to the HOUSE. Winning bonus wagers are paid from HOUSE money. Winning hands are left exposed until all hands are determined to be winning or losing. If a losing hand is a qualifying envy hand, it will be left exposed after the money is taken.

Winning house or player bets are paid out of the checks in the middle, starting with the house money, with each player responsible for their own commission. Any excess will then be given to the player banker who must also pay a commission on these winnings. If the player banker winnings are not sufficient to cover the player and house winnings, the dealer will collect sufficient checks from the player banker to cover all winning bets on the table.

The house covers all bonus bets regardless if there is a player banker.

After all hands have been paid/taken, and all bonuses paid, any envy bonus' will be paid for each qualifying player from right to left.

The player banker may not set a foul hand. If the hand is set foul, it must be reset the house way. If any player sets a foul hand, it is an automatic loser.

COMMISSION

Commission on all winning wagers is 5% and paid immediately after the winning wager is paid. All players, including any player bankers, are responsible for paying their own commission on any winnings.

DEALER TOKES

Dealers are allowed to receive tokes on both the original wager and the bonus. If the player is playing table max the dealer wager may be 10% of the limit. The maximum wager on the bonus is $4.00 for the dealer bet. If a player is banking, other players may only toke on the bonus.

The player does not have to pay commission on any winning dealer toke bets.

CLOSING TABLE

The cards will be sorted, cancelled by marking with a black magic marker, and sealed in a tamper proof plastic bag. Any gaming equipment will be locked up.

IRREGULARITIES

If a player sets a foul hand, when the house is the banker, it is a loser, however, the floor supervisor may reset the player's hand the house way.

PLAYERS PLAYING ON ANOTHER PLAYERS HAND

A player may bet on another player's hand if they choose to do so. The player needs the permission of the person making the original wager, and the bet must be placed by the player making the original wager.

The total of all wagers cannot exceed the table maximum

The person who made the original wager makes the final decision on how the hand will be played regardless of who makes the largest bet.

The player making the original wager is responsible for all commissions.

Game Security

Players are not allowed to exchange information about their hands until they are set.

A player may assist another in setting their hand as long as their own hand is set. They may not go back and reset their hand afterwards.

The dealer may assist a player, if asked, on the house way to set a hand only.

Players are not allowed to touch another player's cards.

Bets are frozen once the first hand is dealt out of the shuffle machine or the dice cup is shaken on a manual game.

When loading the shuffle machine, step back a half a step or so as to see the entire table. Never turn your body to load the shuffle machine.

Cards are not to be taken off the table for any reason.

Players are not allowed to look at other players' hands until they have set their own hand.

Players may play up to two hands only if spots are available but must set one at a time.

The left two spots will be acted upon with the Dealer's left hand.

Misdealt Hands

If any of the following occur, the hand is a misdeal and the cards will be collected and a new hand started.

1. There are not 4 cards left after all hands are dealt.
2. The dealer misses a spot when distributing cards.
3. More than three cards are inadvertently exposed during the deal.
4. Any hand has any number of cards besides 7.
5. The shuffle machine signals a card counting error.

In the case of a card counting error or there not being 4 cards, after hands are dealt, then all cards in that deck will be counted to insure that there is 53 cards.

Dealer Guidelines On How To Set Hands

No pairs	Place the highest card in the high hand and the next two highest 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 pairs	2 thru 6 + Low 7 thru 10 = Medium J thru A = High
	Low – Low
	Always keep together
	High-Low
	Medium-Low
	Medium-Medium
	Split unless and Ace can be played in the low hand.
	High-High
	High-Medium
	Always Split
Three pairs	Always play your highest pair in the low hand.
Three of a kind	Always play in the high hand. Exception: Three aces are split with 2 in the high hand and 1 in the low hand.
Full house	Always play the pair in the low hand.
Full house with a pair	Play your highest pair in the low hand. Exception: If the 3 of a kind are aces, put a pair of aces in the low hand and 2 pair in the high hand.
Straight or flush, no pairs	Always play the straight or flush in the high hand.
Straight or flush, one pair	Play the straight or flush in the high hand.Exception: If the hand has a high pair and an ace, and the straight or flush cannot be preserved while playing an ace or pair in the low hand, put the ace in the low hand and the pair in the high hand.
Straight and flush	Play the one that gives the highest low hand.
Straight or flush with two pairs	Play the straight or flush if a pair or ace high can be preserved in the low hand, otherwise refer to the two pair rule (exception: play straight/flush if both pair are under 7).
Four of a kind	Refer to the two pair rule.
Four of a kind with pair	Play the four of a kind in the high hand and the pair in the low hand. Exception: If the four of a kind are aces, put a pair of aces in the low hand and two pair in the high.

Bonus Payouts

Bonus Hand	Bonus	Envy Bonus
7 Card Straight Flush	2500 to 1	$1000
Royal Flush + Royal Match	1000 to 1	$750
7 Card Straight Flush with Joker	750 to 1	$250
Five Aces	250 to 1	$100
Royal Flush	125 to 1	$50
Straight Flush	50 to 1	$20
Four of a Kind	25 to 1	$5
Full House	5 to 1
Flush	4 to 1
Three of a Kind	3 to 1
Straight	2 to 1