Best UK online casinos for playing Pai Gow in 2022

Pai Gow poker is one of the most popular card games around. A type of poker, this card game is easy to play and a lot of fun. With rules that aren’t too difficult to understand, it’s not surprising that more and more online casinos offer Pai Gow.

 

The best UK online casinos offer Pai Gow, helping players to have a lot of fun. This article takes a look at the UK online casinos that offer this exciting game.

Pai Gow poker cards

Best UK Casinos

The very best Pai Gow UK casinos offer a good variety of Pai Gow games. In addition to this, players will be able to access the casinos via a desktop or a mobile app. Some online casinos are mobile-optimised. This means that players don’t necessarily need to download an app. They can simply log into their favourite online casino and play Pai Gow. 

The very best Pai Gow casinos in the UK 2022 are as follows:

Top 7 Casinos 

 

Online Casino

Welcome Bonus

Extra Features

1

 

 

100% Welcome Bonus Up To £100 Plus 88 Free Spins

 

 

More Than 70 Live Casino Games

2

777 casino logo 160x160

 

 

100% Welcome Bonus Up To £777 Plus 77 Free Spins

 

 

Fast Payout Time

3

 

 

100% Welcome Bonus Up To £250

 

 

1,800 Games

4

 

Play £10, Get 30 Spins

 

Very Fast Payout Time

 

5

 

Playzee Casino

 

 

100% Welcome Bonus Up To £300 Plus 100 Free Spins

 

Very Fast Payout Time

 

6

 

Hyper Casino

 

 

100% Welcome Bonus Up To £100

 

1,200+ Games

 

7

 

Jackpotjoy Casino

 

 

Play £10, Get 30 Spins

 

More Than 20 Live Casino Games

 

As you can see, there are some impressive online casinos in our list of the top 7 Pai Gow casinos. It would be good if we could add more casinos to the list. However, not every online casino offers this exciting game. It is, however, hoped that Pai Gow will be found in more online casinos in the future.

Our Favourite online Pai Gow casino

 

Found at the top of our Top 7 Casinos list is 888 Casino. This excellent online casino was established in 1997 by 888 Holding PLC, and it seems to offer it all. Not only does this online look good, but it offers players the chance to enjoy some great games. 

 

Players will find that they can play safely at all times. This is thanks to 888 Casino being licensed by the UK Gambling Commission as well as the Malta Gaming Authority. Players can log in to their accounts whenever they please, knowing they are protected.

What we review

Here at Profit Squad, we want to make sure that every Pai Gow player only ever visits the very best and most trusted online casinos. We work to make sure that all players avoid illegal and unethical online casinos. 

When researching our articles, we undertake a lot of work. The work that we do includes taking a close look at the following sections of every online Pai Gow UK casino. 

 

Security and reputation

The very best online casinos work hard to offer every player a great level of security. We take a close look at whether the online casinos we’re reviewing use SSL (secure socket layer) encryption. This level of security ensures that players’ data is encrypted (scrambled) so it’s unreadable. 

All UK online casinos should have at least one licence. UK online casinos, for example, should ideally be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Some online casinos have an additional licence if their headquarters are located in another country. 

All online casinos should have a great reputation. While some players will always be unhappy with an online casino, the majority of them should be pleased with the casino they spend time on. If it’s clear that the online casino in question has a bad reputation we will not recommend it. 

 

Pai Gow games selection

The best online casinos out there will host at least a few varieties of Pai Gow. If there isn’t a good variety of games on offer, players may become bored. This is why it’s important that online casinos offer as many versions of Pai Gow as possible. 

 

Bonuses and promotions

All online UK casinos offer bonuses and promotions to attract players. When players can take advantage of the bonuses and promotions, they can feel as if they’re being rewarded for spending time at the casino.  

Some of the most popular bonuses and promotions include:

  • Deposit bonus
  • No deposit bonus
  • Free cash
  • Free bet 


Some online casinos even run promotions, enabling players to place on a leaderboard. The top 10-20 players are likely to receive a prize which could be cash or gadgets. 

 

Payment methods

All online casinos should allow players to make payments using a wide variety of methods. Players should also be able to withdraw their winnings quickly. When a player deposits money into their account they should see it in their accounts instantly. 

When it comes to withdrawing cash, the process should not be complicated.  Players should have their winnings in their accounts in no more than 5 working days. 

 

Software providers 

Online casinos work with software providers to provide a range of games. The more software providers that a casino works with, the more games they are likely to offer. Some software providers are very well-known, others are less so. However, they are all likely to offer some exciting games. 

Here at Profit Squad, we tend to pay more attention to the better-known software providers. This is because they are likely to offer high-quality games that everyone will love. This is not to say that some of the less-known software providers won’t offer high quality games. We simply know that the well-known software providers are trusted by many. 

 

Customer support

All UK online Pai Gow casinos should offer excellent customer support. Ideally, they will offer players at least 2 customer contact options.  Live chat and email are usually the most popular forms of contact. While some online casinos are happy to offer a helpline number, not everyone wants to talk. Some players are more than happy using a live chat feature. 

We also look for online casinos that offer round-the-clock customer service. The longer the customer service team is around, the happier players will be. We know how important it is to have an excellent customer service team. This is why we will only ever recommend online casinos that offer good customer support. 

 

FAQ Section

Every online casino should have an FAQ section. However, not all online casinos do. This could be because there are multiple customer service contact options. The issue with this is that many players simply want to resolve their queries quickly. They may want to find the answer to their query and get back to betting. Not everyone wants to chat with customer service. 

If there is an FAQ section, the more detailed it is, the better it will be for all players.

Advantages of online vs brick-and-mortar Pai Gow casinos

Those who love Pai Gow may wish to visit an online Pai Gow poker casino. However, before anyone could play Pai Gow poker online, they had to visit brick-and-mortar casinos. These days, however, online casinos are becoming increasingly popular. So what exactly are the advantages of online versus brick-and-mortar Pai Gow casinos? We’re going to look at this now. 

 

Unlimited gaming 

Players can play as many games of Pai Gow as they please. There is no wait for tables to clear, allowing people to play Pai Gow when they wish. Players can simply sign into their accounts and play whenever they please. Brick-and-mortar casinos are unable to offer this level of service. What this means is that some players will need to wait to play Pai Gow. 

Another advantage is that players will always have the chance to enjoy instant gaming. This is not a feature that any brick-and-mortar casino can offer. 

 

Varieties of Pai Gow

Some online casinos offer a few varieties of Pai Gow. However, brick-and-mortar casinos do not. In fact, players may only have one type of Pai Gow to play. This is a shame as there are a few excellent varieties of Pai Gow around. 

Online casinos can offer players many varieties of this game, allowing them to have even more fun. 

 

Free games

Pai Gow poker free online games are often available. However, not many brick-and-mortar casinos have this option. If free games are offered, they can be limited in terms of what each game offers. 

 

Bonuses and promotions 

All online casinos offer bonuses and promotions. However, brick-and-mortar casinos don’t always offer as many. All bonuses and promotions are offered to players in a bid to encourage them to sign up. Additional bonuses are usually offered to keep players returning. Players who visit brick-and-mortar casinos may feel that they are missing out. While they may have fun visiting the casino, bonuses and promotions can be few and far between. Those who want to feel rewarded should visit an online casino.

Pai Gow bonuses

There are usually a few chances to play Pai Gow poker with a bonus. The best online UK Pai Gow casinos tend to offer at least one  Pai Gow poker bonus. They may also offer some promotions. Some online casinos may even go so far as to offer players the chance to reduce their losses or even increase their betting capacity. 

Some of the best bonuses include:

 

Welcome Bonus

This type of bonus involves players depositing at least the minimum amount in order to receive a bonus. This bonus which is also known as a “Deposit bonus” is likely to match the money the player deposited. If a player deposits £20, for example, the casino will match that deposit. What this means is that the player will have £40. Players should note that they may have to wager their bonus winnings before they can withdraw them. As soon as the wagering requirements have been met, players can withdraw their money.

 

No Deposit Bonus

This type of bonus is sometimes called a “free money” bonus. Bonuses such as this mean a player does not have to deposit any cash. All they need to do is to sign up for an account, once they have, they’ll receive a bonus. 

Players should note that the bonus can only be spent online. Should a player wish to withdraw money they’ve won, they may have to wager it. Players may have to wager their no deposit bonus winnings 15-25 times. As soon as the wagering requirements have been met, players can withdraw any money they have won.

 

Free bet offer

Free Bet 

Free bets work in almost the same way as free cash does. However, rather than money being placed into their accounts, players will receive an option to place a bet. It’s likely that this type of bonus will be limited to specific games. However, it does eliminate risk on the player’s behalf. If a player wins their bet, they keep the money. If a player loses their bet, they have not lost any cash. 

Please note that the wagering requirements only relate to money that has been won when using a bonus. Players should also note that not every online casino will offer some or all of the above bonuses.

 

 

Cash out

Free Cash 

Bonuses such as this can be few and far between. However, they are unusually snapped up. Free cash bonuses involve players being given £10, for example, to place a bet. The bet may have to be placed on specific games. However, players will get the opportunity to keep their winnings. This type of bonus reduces the risk of players losing their own money.

Free Pai Gow games

Some players like to play for real money online. However, others like to play free games. This is primarily because they can enjoy a game or two without having to spend any money. 

Pai Gow is not a game that’s as widely known as others. However, some casinos are still happy to offer free games. Free games can help players to develop their skills. Players should, however, be aware that they won’t win money playing a free game. They can simply work on their tactics. 

Games of Pai Gow that need to be paid for may have better graphics and sound quality. More money is usually spent on developing such games. This is typically why we at Profit Squad are happy to recommend that players spend a little money playing Pai Gow.

Live dealer Pai Gow

Live dealer Pai Gow can be something of an exciting game to play. It involves players enjoying a casino-like game. There will be a live dealer who may even act as the banker. The dealer will be based in a real casino or a studio and help the game to flow. 

Live dealer Pai Gow can be a lot more fun than traditional online Pai Gow. This is simply because it gives the game a casino-like feel. Players may also be able to interact with other players, if the online casino allows. Live dealer Pai Gow is well worth playing if it’s available. It can seem like a completely different game.

Pai Gow rules

What is Pai Gow poker? It’s something of a fast and furious game that is based on traditional poker. Created in 1985 and also known as “double hand poker”, Pai Gow is a very popular game among poker lovers. 

Pai Gow is not a game that you play against other people. Rather, it is a game that’s played against the banker. In other words, the object of the game is to beat the banker. However, there is an exception to this rule. A player may be allowed to bet against other players, should they wish to. In Pai Gow poker rules, this is known as “banking”. This action ultimately means that the player becomes the banker and they play against all of the other players. 

 

The rules of Pai Gow poker

In order to play Pai Gow poker online, there must be no more than 6 players in a game. The object of the game is for players to beat the banker. They can do this by forming 2 poker hands. Once a bet has been placed, every player will be given 7 cards. The players will then split their cards into a 5-card (or “high” hand), and a 2-card (or “low” hand). 

The low hand is placed in the front. The high hand that sits behind must be higher in value than the low hand. The same hands are used in Pai Gow as they are in traditional poker. 

Hand

Cards

Royal Flush

A, K, Q, J, and 10 in the same suit

Straight Flush

5 consecutive cards in the same suit

4 of a Kind

4 of the same card

Full House

5 of a king and one pair

Flush

5 cards in the same suit

Straight 

5 consecutive cards

3 of a Kind

3 of the same card

2 Pair

2 of the same card

1 Pair

1 pair of the same card

High Card

The rank of a hand (A, K, 10, 9, and 8)

However, some online casinos may choose to add an extra hand. This extra hand is known as the “wheel”. It involves using an A, 2, 3, 4, and 5 straight. It’s important that players are aware of this extra hand as it can have a huge influence on the game.

 

Setting Your Hand 

Players need to set their hands. However, if a player is having difficulty with this, they can ask the dealer to help. As soon as all of the hands are set, the dealer reveals the cards. All of the cards will be arranged accordingly. 

At showdown, there are 3 possible outcomes:

  1. A player wins both the high hand and the low hand, therefore, winning their bet
  2. The banker wins both the high hand and the low hand, and the player loses their bet
  3. A player wins either the high hand or the low hand and the banker wins the other hand. This is known as a “push”, and will result in the player receiving their bet back. 


Players should note that there tends to be a lot of pushes in Pai Gow. Players should also be aware that the house will take a cut of the winnings. The house edge is usually 5%.

Pai Gow strategies

Those who wish to know how to play Pai Gow poker online may be interested in learning a few strategies. 

 

  • For the low hand 

 

When players are getting their low hands together, they can only make high cards or pairs. Aces are without a doubt the best hand. However, it’s important that players remember the high hand must beat the low hand at all times. 

For example, if a player adds aces to the low hand, their high hand must always beat it. Therefore, the player must use a combination of cards to beat the low hand. If a player’s low hand beats their high hand, they will lose the hand. Alternatively, the house may automatically reset the hand. 

 

  • Use the Joker

 

This Pai Gow poker strategy is a hugely important one to remember. It involves using the Joker in either a flush or a straight. There are no other hands that the Joker can be used in unless it’s being used as an Ace. 

The game of Pai Gow uses something of a “set it and forget it” way of playing. In other words, as soon as a hand is set, players can do nothing about it. All that they can do is wait to see how the game plays out. The only strategy that can be used here, as such, is the way that each hand is arranged. Players should ideally arrange their hands in a way that means they have a great chance of beating the dealer. 

 

To recap: players can set their hands any way they wish. However, they must make sure that the high hand always beats the low hand. Everything else is down to personal preference.

Pai Gow tips

Anyone who wishes to know how to deal in Pai Gow poker may appreciate a few Pai Gow poker tips. The tips that you can find below can help anyone who wants to improve their game. 

 

  • When you understand how likely you are to win a game, you may change your hands. The probability of a win in a game of Pai Gow is similar to that found in traditional poker. It may be worth a player’s while, however, checking the probabilities depending on the online casino they’re logged into. Some casinos may offer higher or lower probabilities and payouts. 

 

Hand

Pays

Probability 

Royal Flush

150 to 1

0.0001%

Straight Flush

50 to 1

0.0008%

Four of a Kind

25 to 1

0.0142%

Full House

5 to 1

0.083%

Flush

4 to 1

0.109%

Straight

4 to 1

0.219%

Three of a Kind

3 to 1

1.175%

Two Pair

2 to 1

2.448%

One Pair or Less

1 to 1

11.755%

 

  • If a player is dealt a single pair, they have to add it to their high hand. Ideally, the player will take the next 3 highest cards and add them to their low hand. 

 

  • If a player is dealt with a hand that could mean they get a full house, they’re very lucky. As you can see, it is unlikely that a player will get a full house very often, if at all. If they do get a full house, players should place the higher 2 cards at the top. They should consider using the smaller pair in the back of the deck. 

 

  • When a player receives a hand that contains a flush or straight with 2 pairs, they should break it up. These cards can then be split between the high and low hands. 

 

  • We’re going back to the issue of a full house now. If a player is dealt a full house, they can improve their odds of winning. Yes, it is possible to improve the odds even more. Players simply need to put the 3-of-a-kind cards in their high hand, and the pair in their low hand. 

 

  • Finally, players should always pay close attention to all of their cards. They should work out how the cards can be used together in the best way possible. When it comes to splitting the cards, players should ideally use the most effective split.

Most popular online Pai Gow games

There are quite a few variants of Pai Gow. Some of these include:

 

  • Fortune Pai Gow – This variant allows players to place a side bet. The side bet can indicate how good they think their high hand will be. This game may come with bonus payouts. The information about the payouts will be shown online and before the game goes ahead. For example, players who get four of a kind may receive a payout of 25 to 1. 

  • Pai Gow Mania – This is an interesting variant of the game of Pai Gow. It involves players being able to place 2 side bets. This can potentially make playing Pai Gow even more exciting, especially as the usual rules apply. 

 

  • Emperor’s Challenge – Another interesting variant is Emperor’s Challenge. Again, players can palace a side bet. However, they can only place a side bet on making a “no hand”. What this means is that a player cannot make a straight or a hand that’s even better when using all 7 of their cards. 

 

The above variants of Pai Gow are quite popular. However, the original game of Pai Gow seems to be the most popular.

Pai Gow tournaments

Some online casinos may occasionally host Pai Gow tournaments. Tournaments such as these can involve multiple players battling it out against the banker. The big difference, however, between tournaments and normal games is the amount of money that players have to bet with. During a game of Pai Gow, players can typically bet as much as they please. However, when it comes to a tournament, players may be expected to bet more than usual.  

Players will be notified about how much they may have to bet. They will be told before they sign-up for the tournament. Alternatively, players may be asked to pay to enter the tournament. The cost of which will be shown before they sign up. Those who have signed up may be expected to place bets no lower than the suggested minimum. 

Tournaments can be a lot of fun and they can help players to develop their skills. In addition to this, a few lucky players could walk away with a lot of money. 

 

Which casinos offer Pai Gow tournaments?

Only a few online casinos offer Pai Gow tournaments. Many online casinos tend to focus on games such as blackjack, craps, or poker. When an online casino does offer a Pai Gow tournament, they can be well worth entering. Players may wish to check a variety of online casinos from time to time to see if a Pai Gow tournament is taking place. 

 

How much can you bet in a Pai Gow tournament?

The amount of money that a player can bet may vary. However, players should be aware that some tournaments use tokens as opposed to real money. This is because some online casinos want to focus on the number of points a player has built up, rather than how much they have spent. 

 

The jackpot

The amount a player can win in any tournament is likely to depend on the online casino that’s hosting it. For example, some tournaments may have a jackpot of £500, others may have a jackpot of £2,000. Players who are lucky enough to win a tournament are likely to be able to withdraw the money whenever they please. However, it is always worth double checking to see if there are any wagering requirements surrounding the jackpot. Players may be required to wager their winnings before they can withdraw them.

If the jackpot is made up of tokens, players may not be able to keep their winnings. However, they will be notified of this before they sign up. Tournaments that use tokens can be ideal for new players who are still trying to find their feet. The tournaments can help them to work on their tactics and get better at the game of Pai Gow.

Playing online Pai Gow on mobile

Many online casinos offer Android or iOS apps that players can download. Apps such as these mean players have instant access to Pai Gow. The apps offered by any given online casino may be available for players to download on both mobile phones and tablets. This makes playing Pai Gow even easier. It allows players to log in when they please and enjoy all that this excellent game has to offer. 

Many iOS and Android apps tend to contain exactly the same range of games as you would find on the website. If there is no app offered it doesn’t necessarily mean that players will miss out. A good number of online casinos optimise their sites for use on a mobile device. In other words, the online casino can easily be accessed via mobile phone or a tablet. 

Playing Pai Gow on a mobile phone or tablet means more players can enjoy this classic game.

Best keno online casinos UK

New UK casinos to play Pai Gow online

There are new UK casinos springing up all of the time. There tend to be at least half a dozen casinos appearing every year. While not every new UK casino will offer Pai Gow, they may offer a variant. Alternatively, they may simply offer a game or 2 of poker, which is where Pai Gow stemmed from.

FAQ

Players place their bets and create 2 hands from the 7 cards they have been dealt. Players must create a 5-card hand that contains the highest cards, and a 2-card hand. The 2-card hand must contain the lowest cards. Players need to beat the banker by getting at least one better hand. Ideally, a player will have both hands that are better than the banker’s.

There is only 1 deck used in online Pai Gow at a time.

We think that the best online Pai Gow site is 888 Casino. However, some players may prefer other sites. Every online casino is different and offers something special.

The most popular variant of Pai Gow is Fortune Pai Gow. However, the original version of Pai Gow seems to be even more popular.

Pai Gow is a fairly beginner-friendly game. As long as players know the value of the cards and which order they stand in, they should be able to play. However, it would benefit new players if they knew how to get a Royal Flush, for example.

No. All online Pai Gow casinos use random number generators (RNGs) to make sure that no game is rigged.

No. However, it is hoped that more online casinos in the UK will offer players the chance to enjoy this excellent game.

Yes. Many online casinos in the UK offer players the chance to download an app. Other online casinos may be mobile-optimised. This means they can log into their accounts via a device without downloading an app.

Yes. Many websites offer players the chance to play Pai Gow for free online. However, players should be aware that they will not win any prizes.

Some online Pai Gow games offer bonuses. These bonuses may appear from time to time.

This depends on the cards that a player has. The odds can be as little as 0.0001% for a Royal Flush or as much as 11.755% for a pair.

No. It is not always clear what cards the banker or other players have. Additionally, some online casinos will ban players if they are suspected of card counting.

As long as the online casino in question is licensed by at least one authority, it will be safe to visit. The authority that has issued the licence will expect the online casino to work hard to keep every player safe.

Players need to beat the banker by getting at least one better hand. Ideally, a player will have both hands that are better than the banker’s.

Yes. Some online casinos offer players the chance to earn loyalty points or get VIP bonuses when they play Pai Gow.

Pai Gow is a mixture of both luck and skill. However, neither are a guarantee that players will win.

Live dealer involves a dealer located in a studio or casino interacting with the players. Ordinary Pai Gow does not have this option and may, therefore, be less exciting.

No. Some online casinos set a limit as to how much money a player can win. Players may win a good amount of money in a tournament. However, they are unlikely to repeat the win.