Pai Gow Poker Side Bet
A Pai Gow Poker side bet that pays when you have no pair at all. The worse your hand, the better the payout.
20 US venues offer emperor's challenge pai gow poker.
Free social play · Gold Coins & Stake Cash
Social casino only. Gold Coins have no cash value and can't be redeemed. Stake Cash is promotional and can't be purchased.
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Laughlin, Nevada
1650 S Casino Dr, Laughlin, NV 89029, United States
Renton, Washington
3100 East Valley Road, Renton, WA 98057, USA
Auburn, Washington
2402 Auburn Way South, Auburn, WA 98002, USA
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
21917 Washington 99, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043, USA
Richland, Washington
624 Wellsian Way, Richland, WA 99352, USA
Shoreline, Washington
16716 Aurora Avenue North, Shoreline, WA 98133, USA
Mountlake Terrace, Washington
22003 66th Ave W, Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043, USA
Seatac, Washington
19222 International Boulevard, SeaTac, WA 98188, USA
Shelton, Washington
91 WA-108, Shelton, WA 98584, USA
Kingston, Washington
7989 Northeast Salish Lane, Kingston, WA 98346, USA
Clarkston, Washington
1250 Bridge St, Clarkston, WA 99403, USA
Seattle, Washington
2823 Southwest Roxbury Street, Seattle, WA 98126, USA
Reno, Nevada
17 South Virginia Street, Reno, Nevada
Mill Creek, Washington
17917 Bothell Everett Hwy #206, Bothell, WA 98012, USA
Everett Washington, Washington
13010 Hwy 99, Everett, WA 98204, USA
Fife, Washington
2024 E 29th St, Tacoma, WA 98404, USA
La Center, Washington
105 W 4th St, La Center, WA 98629, USA
Deming, Washington
9750 Northwood Rd, Lynden, WA 98264, United States
Rochester, Washington
12888 188th Ave. SW, Washington
Temecula, California
45000 Pechanga Parkway, California
Emperor's Challenge is a Pai Gow Poker side bet that pays on Pai Gow hands -- hands with no pair of any kind and no flush or straight across all seven cards. The lower the high card in the Pai Gow hand, the higher the payout. A 9-high Pai Gow (nine being the highest card in the hand) pays the top amount. The bet pairs naturally with the Fortune side bet, which pays on strong hands, covering both ends of the hand strength spectrum. You'll find live tables at most major properties. See our full US casino directory for venue contact details and hours.
Emperor's Challenge is a niche side bet that rewards the worst possible Pai Gow Poker hands. If you have ever been frustrated by receiving seven cards with no pair and no draw, Emperor's Challenge converts that frustration into a payout. The worse your hand, the better the prize. The bet pairs naturally with Fortune Pai Gow Poker, which pays on hands of three of a kind or better. Together, they cover both extremes of Pai Gow hand strength.
Place an Emperor's Challenge side bet alongside your Pai Gow Poker ante. The bet is optional.
You receive seven cards. The Emperor's Challenge bet pays based on your seven-card hand containing no pair.
A Pai Gow hand means no pair of any kind, no flush, no straight, and no better combination.
The payout increases as the high card decreases. A 9-high Pai Gow pays the most. An Ace-high Pai Gow pays the least.
If your hand contains any pair, straight, flush, or better, the Emperor's Challenge bet loses.
The bet resolves when your seven cards are dealt. The rest of the Pai Gow hand plays out normally.
The Emperor's Challenge side bet is placed before the deal alongside your Pai Gow Poker ante. It pays when your seven-card hand is a Pai Gow -- meaning no pair of any kind, no flush, no straight, and no better hand. The payout is based on the rank of the highest card in the hand. A 9-high Pai Gow typically pays 100:1. An 8-high Pai Gow pays 200:1. A 7-high Pai Gow pays 500:1. An Ace-high Pai Gow pays 2:1 or 3:1 depending on the paytable.
The house edge is roughly 7 to 10 percent, which is moderate for a side bet. The bet is available at most Pai Gow Poker tables that offer side bets and is typically found alongside the Fortune bet. Some Pai Gow Poker tables offer Emperor's Challenge and Fortune as a package, and playing both is common among regular Pai Gow players.
Emperor's Challenge pays on Pai Gow (no pair) hands in your seven-card Pai Gow Poker hand. The payout increases as the high card decreases. A 9-high Pai Gow pays the most at 100:1.
Emperor's Challenge and Fortune Pai Gow are complementary side bets. One pays on strong hands, one on weak hands.
Playing both together covers the full range of seven-card outcomes, though the combined edge is still negative.
Keep the side bet small relative to your main Pai Gow Poker wager.
Check the paytable before playing. The payout for 9-high and 8-high Pai Gow varies between casinos.
The Emperor's Challenge is a long-shot bet. Pai Gow hands occur on roughly 5 to 7 percent of deals.
The house edge is about 7 to 10 percent, which is reasonable for a novelty side bet.
Where to play in the US
Editorial picks for visitors who want a real-floor Emperor's Challenge Pai Gow Poker session. Ranked by directory depth (table counts, amenities, and floor quality). Tap any card for the full property review.
Temecula, California
4,000 slots · 154 tables · 54 poker tables · 24/7
Games available
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Auburn, Washington
3,125 slots · 75 tables · 32 poker tables · 24/7
Games available
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Reno, Nevada
1,400 slots · 37 tables · 10 poker tables · 24/7
Games available
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Rankings reflect directory data depth (floor counts, game variety, amenity tags) re-verified quarterly. They are not a substitute for current operating status; confirm hours and game spread directly with each casino before visiting.
The optimal strategy is to play Emperor's Challenge alongside Fortune Pai Gow for full coverage of hand outcomes. Fortune pays on strong hands (three of a kind and up). Emperor's Challenge pays on weak hands (no pair, no flush, no straight). Together, you get paid on roughly 35 to 40 percent of hands, which keeps the game interesting throughout a session.
The Emperor's Challenge bet does not change your hand-setting strategy. Continue using the house way. The bet is small enough ($1 to $5) that it adds minimal cost per hand for a meaningful increase in entertainment value. Compared to the Face Up Pai Gow Poker side bets, Emperor's Challenge offers a unique payout structure that no other Pai Gow variant matches.
Side bet paying on strong 7-card hands (three of a kind+). Pairs naturally with Emperor's Challenge.
The base game without side bets. 5 percent commission on wins. Use the house way.
No-commission PGP. Select dealer hands push. May offer Emperor's Challenge side bet.
Dealer hand exposed before you set yours. May offer Emperor's Challenge side bet.
Emperor's Challenge is a specialty side bet at Pai Gow Poker tables in larger US casinos. It is most common in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and tribal casinos with diversified Pai Gow offerings.
Before you play, compare the paytable for 9-high and 8-high Pai Gow hands across casinos. Browse our US casino directory to find venues near you.
Yes. Fortune pays on strong hands and Emperor's Challenge pays on weak hands. Together they cover both ends of the hand strength spectrum and keep every hand interesting.
