The Nevada Gaming Commission is expected to approve five-card Pai Gow for Las Vegas casinos following a recommendation from the state’s Gaming Control Board. Developed by Casino Gaming Development, the game was created by Angel Espino as a streamlined version of the traditional seven-card Pai Gow.
In this version, players divide five cards into a three-card high hand and a two-card low hand, aiming to beat the dealer’s respective hands. Espino told regulators the simplified structure allows for faster gameplay, fewer errors, and more hands played per hour.
The game underwent a successful field trial at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Lucas Botsis, the casino’s manager, reported that the trial went smoothly, with dealers and players adapting quickly and very few disputes. He noted that the house edge during the trial was approximately 33 percent.
Dustin Brown, vice president of gaming operations for Caesars Entertainment, which oversees Harrah’s, The Linq, and Flamingo, expressed support for keeping five-card Pai Gow on the casino floor. He also mentioned the possibility of introducing a progressive side bet. Brown indicated that the game had replaced another table game and could be expanded to other Caesars properties.
The approval of five-card Pai Gow reflects a larger trend in the gaming industry, as casinos explore new variations of traditional games to attract a wider audience. With Las Vegas operators already experimenting with updated craps bets and revamped money wheel games, the addition of this new Pai Gow variant signals continued innovation aimed at both experienced players and newcomers.
