The Joker (Bug)
The joker in Pai Gow Poker is called a "bug" and has limited uses:
- • As an Ace: Can always be used as an Ace
- • Complete Straights: Can fill gaps in straights
- • Complete Flushes: Can complete flush hands
- • NOT wild: Cannot be any other card
5-Card Hand Rankings
Standard poker rankings apply (highest to lowest):
- 1. Five Aces (with joker)
- 2. Royal Flush
- 3. Straight Flush
- 4. Four of a Kind
- 5. Full House
- 6. Flush
- 7. Straight
- 8. Three of a Kind
- 9. Two Pair
- 10. One Pair
- 11. High Card
2-Card Hand Rankings
Only two possible hands:
- Pair: Two cards of same rank (higher pairs beat lower)
- High Card: No pair (compare highest card, then second)
Special Joker Examples:
- • A-K-Q-J-Joker = Royal Flush (Joker as 10)
- • 9-8-7-6-Joker = Straight (Joker as 5)
- • A-A-A-A-Joker = Five Aces (best possible hand)
- • K-Q-Joker-10-9 = A-K-Q-J-10 straight