A Beginner’s Guide to Pai Gow Tiles: Rules, Instructions & Strategy Tips to Win

Introduction

Pai Gow Tiles is a casino game with roots in ancient China. It’s played with a set of 32 tiles that look a bit like dominoes. Each tile has a certain ranking and value, and the game’s goal is to beat the banker’s hand.

I believe it’s fair to say that Pai Gow Tiles can be a difficult game to learn. Not to be confused with Pai Gow Poker, which I’ve also written a separate guide on, but both game’s concepts are the same; where both the player and the banker make high and low hands, then compare to determine the winner.

The main thing to get to grips with is the ranking of hands, which at first seems to make little sense and is difficult to memorize. However, I often find that – due to the much slower pace of the game – it’s a really good one for managing your bankroll, and once you get the hang of it, I find it’s really fun to play hand after hand. It’s a game of skill, strategy, and (like most games of this type) a bit of luck.

The history of Pai Gow Tiles goes back hundreds of years and it’s believed to have been played by Chinese emperors. Today, it’s popular in casinos all over the world, especially in places with a large Asian population.

Rules for playing Pai Gow Tiles

The rules for Pai Gow Tiles can be detailed, but I’ll break them down for you. First, the game is played with 32 tiles, each with a unique combination of dots, much like dominoes. The tiles are ranked based on tradition, and their rankings can be a bit tricky to remember at first. I’ll dive more in to that below.

The game is played with up to eight players and a banker. The players are trying to beat the banker’s two hands, known as the high hand and the low hand.

Each player gets four tiles and must make two hands of two tiles each. The value of each hand is determined by adding up the total number of dots, with the last digit of the sum being the hand’s value. For example, if the total is 12, the hand’s value is 2. There are also special rankings for certain pairs and tile combinations that outrank other hands, which I explain below.

The banker and players reveal their hands, and each player’s hands are compared to the banker’s. If both of a player’s hands are higher, they win. If one is higher and one is lower, it’s a push, and if both are lower, the player loses. There are also rules for how the banker can set their hand, which can vary from casino to casino.

The procedure for ranking pairs of tiles is as follows:

• Each pair of tiles is assigned a ranking order. There are 16 pairs possible where the values on each tile need to match, e.g. a 4-dot and 5-dot tile equaling 9 can pair with a tile showing a 3-dot and a 6-dot.
• Wong: This refers to a combination of a 2 or 12 tile with any 9 tile.
• Gong: This refers to a combination of a 2 or 12 tile with any 8 tile.
• For combinations other than Wong or Gong, consisting of two tiles, the total number of dots is considered, and the last digit determines the points awarded, similar to baccarat. For instance, a combination of a 10 and 9 tile equates to 9 points, while a 4 and 7 tile combination yields 1 point.

However, there is an exception to this rule for the highest-ranking pair called “Gee Joon.” In this case, the two tiles are considered semi-wild and can be worth either 3 or 6 points, depending on which option results in a higher total when combined with other tiles. For example, if a Gee Joon tile is paired with a 4-point tile, it counts as 3 points to form a 7-point hand rather than 6 points for a 0-point hand.

During gameplay, the player’s high hand is compared to the dealer’s high hand, while the low hand of each is compared similarly. If both the player and the dealer have a Wong, Gong, or a total of 1 to 9 points, ties are resolved based on which hand possesses the higher-ranked high tile. If this doesn’t break the tie, the banker wins. A 0-0 tie always results in a win for the banker.

To break ties, the rank order of tiles is followed, except for the Gee Joon pair, which are ranked lowest individually and thus cannot serve as a hand’s high tile.

In terms of outcomes, if the player wins both hands, they receive an even money payout with a 5% commission deducted. If the player wins one and loses one, their wager is returned. If the dealer wins both, the player loses their wager.

The banker competes against all other players at the table and the dealer, wagering the same amount as the previous player who served as banker. Often, other players will abstain from playing when another player takes on the role of banker, allowing them to face the dealer alone.

Equipment and Setup for Pai Gow Tiles

The equipment for Pai Gow Tiles includes the set of 32 tiles, a dice cup with three dice, and sometimes a table with a layout specifically designed for the game. To set up the game, the tiles are shuffled, or ‘washed,’ on the table, and each player places their bet. The dealer then throws the dice to determine who gets the first set of tiles.

How to Play Pai Gow Tiles

Playing Pai Gow Tiles involves a few key steps:

1. Shuffle the tiles and deal them out to the players.
2. Players arrange their tiles into two hands.
3. Players reveal their hands, and they’re compared to the banker’s hands.
4. Winners are determined, and bets are settled.

During the game, players must decide how to set their hands. The strategy comes into play here, as there are often multiple ways to arrange your tiles. The best way to learn is to practice and get familiar with the different tile rankings and hand types.

How to Win at Pai Gow Tiles

To win at Pai Gow Tiles, you need to understand the rankings and have a good strategy. The odds and probabilities can be complex because they depend on how the tiles are dealt and the way the banker sets their hand. The house edge also varies but is usually around 1.5%, which is pretty good compared to other casino games.

Beginner strategies include focusing on making the strongest high hand possible without weakening your low hand too much. Intermediate strategies involve recognizing special tile combinations and knowing when to split pairs. Advanced strategies require a deep understanding of the rankings and situational awareness.

Here’s a breakdown of all the rankings in Pai Gow Tiles:

Rank	Name	Description
1	Supreme Pair	Pair of tiles with two matching ones
2	Supreme Nine	Total of nine dots on the two tiles
3	Supreme Sixteen	Total of sixteen dots on the two tiles
4	Supreme Twelve	Total of twelve dots on the two tiles
5	Supreme Eighteen	Total of eighteen dots on the two tiles
6	Supreme Fourteen	Total of fourteen dots on the two tiles
7	Gong	Pair of tiles with dots totaling to ten or twenty
8	Sheung	Pair of tiles with dots totaling to nine or nineteen
9	High Nine	Total of nine dots on one tile
10	High Twelve	Total of twelve dots on one tile
11	High Six	Total of six dots on one tile
12	High Three	Total of three dots on one tile
13	Low Four	Total of four dots on one tile
14	Low Six	Total of six dots on one tile
15	Low Eight	Total of eight dots on one tile
16	Low Ten	Total of ten dots on one tile
17	Low Eleven	Total of eleven dots on one tile
18	Low Twelve	Total of twelve dots on one tile
19	Low Fourteen	Total of fourteen dots on one tile
20	Low Sixteen	Total of sixteen dots on one tile
21	Day	Tile with a red six and white four
22	Teen	Tile with a red ten and white six
23	Red Head	Tile with two red faces
24	White Head	Tile with two white faces
25	Mixed Nine	One tile with nine dots, the other a mix
26	Mixed Eight	One tile with eight dots, the other a mix
27	Mixed Seven	One tile with seven dots, the other a mix
28	Mixed Six	One tile with six dots, the other a mix
29	Mixed Five	One tile with five dots, the other a mix
30	Mixed Four	One tile with four dots, the other a mix
31	Mixed Three	One tile with three dots, the other a mix
32	Mixed Two	One tile with two dots, the other a mix
33	Mixed One	One tile with one dot, the other a mix
34	Mixed Nil	One tile with no dots, the other a mix
35	Heaven	A tile with a one and a four
36	Earth	A tile with a six and a four

The strongest hands in Pai Gow Tiles are as follows:

Hand Combination	Description	Tiles Used to Make Hand
Gee Joon Pair	Pair consisting of the two semi-wild Gee Joon tiles	Gee Joon tiles
2 Tile + 12 Tile	Pair consisting of the 2 tile and the 12 tile	2 tile, 12 tile
Wong Pair	Pair consisting of any 9 tile and either a 2 or 12 tile	Any 9 tile, either 2 tile or 12 tile
Gong Pair	Pair consisting of any 8 tile and either a 2 or 12 tile	Any 8 tile, either 2 tile or 12 tile

Best Strategies for playing Pai Gow Tiles game

The best strategies for Pai Gow Tiles involve balancing your hands. You don’t want to put all your strong tiles in one hand and leave the other weak. It’s also important to pay attention to the banker’s hand. If you’re the banker, you have more control over the outcome, so take advantage of that position.

Another strategy is to be aware of the tile rankings and memorize the special combinations that can beat other hands. Practice makes perfect, so the more you play, the better you’ll get at quickly identifying the best way to set your hands.

Basic Strategy for Pai Gow Tiles

In terms of a fundamental strategy that I recommend:

• If there are conflicting rules, prioritize the one listed first.
• For the purpose of this strategy, evaluate hands with 9 points or fewer based on their total points. Consider Gongs as 10 points, Wongs as 11 points, and pairs as 12 points.
  • If there’s a clearly superior way to play a hand, opt for that.
  • Pairs
    • Never split pairs of 10’s or 11’s.
    • If splitting a pair results in more total points than keeping the pair together, then split.
    • If the total points from splitting or keeping the pair are the same, and the total is under 15, then split the pair.
    • Otherwise, keep the pair together.
  • Single High-9, Gong, or Wong Possible
    • Play the strongest high hand.
  • Multiple Ways to Play High-9, Gong, or Wong
    • When holding both 2 and 12 tiles, always prioritize the 12 in the high hand.
    • If the total points are 10 or 11, maximize the high hand.
    • If the total points are 12, prioritize the high hand, unless it’s a High-8 Gong, in which case, balance.
    • If the total points are 13, focus on maximizing the high hand, except with a High-8 Gong, where you should play a High-9.
    • For totals of 14 or more points, aim for a High-9 if possible; otherwise, opt for a Low-8 Gong with a 5 in the low if feasible; if not, choose the best low hand.
  • All Other Hands
    • For totals of 6 or less points, aim for balance.
    • With 7 to 9 points, prioritize the strongest high hand.
    • For totals of 10 to 15 points, if you can achieve 5 or more in the low hand, balance; otherwise, prioritize the strongest high hand.
    • With 16 points or more, focus on the strongest high hand.

Variations

There are a few variations of Pai Gow Tiles, mostly in how the banker’s hand is set. Some casinos allow the banker to set their hand however they want, while others require the banker to set their hand according to a set of rules known as the ‘house way.’ There are also different side bets that can be made in some variations of the game.

Scenarios

In good scenarios, like when you’re dealt a pair or a special combination, you’ll want to maximize your advantage by setting your hands in the best way possible. In bad scenarios, where you have no strong tiles, it’s about minimizing your losses and trying to push rather than win outright.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Pai Gow Tiles game

1. Q: How long does it take to learn Pai Gow Tiles?
   A: It can take a few hours to learn the basics, but mastering the game takes practice.
2. Q: Can I play Pai Gow Tiles online?
   A: Yes, some online casinos offer Pai Gow Tiles.
3. Q: Is Pai Gow Tiles a game of luck or skill?
   A: It’s a combination of both, but there’s definitely skill involved in setting your hands.

External Links

For more information on Pai Gow Tiles, check out these resources:

Pai Gow Offline – KK Paigow – Apps on Google Play

History Of Pai Gow