Get ready to try your luck at Palace Station‘s Face-Up Pai-Gow table game! We sat down with Palace Station’s Asian Games Manager, Steve, to help us answer a few questions about the game.

Is regular Pai-Gow popular? Why did you introduce the new version?

Regular Pai-Gow Poker is still a popular game, but this new Face-Up Pai-Gow Poker is getting more popular. It is more fun and exciting to play. This game has no commission on winning hands (all main wagers push when dealer has an ace high “pai-gow” hand).

The Player has the option of making a bonus side bet which pays up to 30 to 1 when the dealer and the player’s hand both have an ace high “pai-gow” hand. This game also offers Fortune side bets and is linked in to our Station Casinos‘ Progressive Jackpot!

Is it easy to pick up if you haven’t played before?

Face-Up Pai-Gow Poker is very easy to pick up, especially if you know how to play regular Pai-Gow or poker. Our friendly dealers and floor-supervisors will be more than happy to help you, if you have any questions.

What game is Pai-Gow similar to?

This game is similar to the traditional Pai-Gow Poker, but Face-Up Pai-Gow is much more fun because the players get to set their hand AFTER the dealers expose their cards face up and to set their hand!

Whereas in traditional Pai-Gow poker, players must set their hand before the dealers expose their cards. Hence the name “Face Up” poker.

Is Face-Up Pai-Gow offered at other places on/off strip?​ Is it rare?

Currently, to the best of my knowledge, this game is offered at only one casino on the strip, and a few other casinos in California. It’s obviously offered at Palace Station and the majority of our Station Casinos properties.

In fact, at Red Rock Casino, Face-Up Pai-Gow Poker is so popular and fun, it has replaced ALL regular Pai-Gow poker tables.

Is there a different strategy when you get to see the dealer’s hand? What’s the advantage/disadvantage?

It is a big advantage with any card game when you can see the dealer’s cards and then make a decision on how to play your hand.  After the dealers expose their cards, players have the opportunity to set their cards with the knowledge of what it takes to beat or push the dealer’s hand.

Odds? How is it “easier” to win?

It can’t be any easier to win when you get to see the dealer’s cards before you set your hand!

What else makes this game stand out?

This game has no commission (5% vig) on the main bet if you win. That is why all main bets push when dealer has an ace high “pai-gow” hand. Remember though, players have the option of making a bonus side bet on the dealer getting an ace high hand.

This bonus side bet can get paid up to 30 to 1 when the dealer and the player’s hand both have an ace high “pai-gow”! This game also offers Fortune side bets and is linked to our Station Casinos Progressive Jackpot! For just one dollar, you can win the big Progressive Jackpot!