Playing Pai Gow
Pai Gow is a Chinese game that has become a favorite among casino players anywhere in the world. While it is widely-played in casinos in Macau, being of Chinese origin; Pai Gow has likewise become a staple game in some casinos worldwide; including those found in Las Vegas.
Pai Gow is different from Pai Gow poker; although the latter is a derivative of the original Chinese Pai Gow game.
How to Play Pai Gow
Pai Gow is played with the use of regular domino tiles. The tiles are randomly arranged in piles of 4; creating 8 stacks out of the entire domino tiles. The piles are then rearranged to ensure that no one has seen or guessed the tile combinations within the stacks.
After the tiles have been arranged; the players are given their own stack. From here, they will make two combinations of two tiles each; using all four tiles. The players will then play against the dealer; showing first their higher combination.
If the player’s combinations defeat the dealer’s in both combination tiles; player wins; and vice versa. However, if only one hand defeats that of the dealer’s, player only gets back what he has wagered.
In a usual round of Pai Gow, there are 7 players against the dealer; finishing off the entire 8 stacks of the domino tiles.
The highest combination of the standard scoring in Pai Gow is 9. If you get a combination higher than 9, you take out the tens value of the sum of your tiles; leaving you with a singular total of your tiles.
For example, if you get a total of 16 in your tile combination; you take out the tens value of the sum; leaving you with a total of only 6. Unfortunately, if you get a combination that adds up to 20; your singular number is 0.
Pai Gow Combinations
There are approximately nine hundred and ninety-two combinations that you can come up with when playing Pai Gow. This means that your chances of beating the dealer are pretty good; that is, if you know how to play your tiles well.
Fortunately, there are Pai Gow guides that you can find on the internet that can help you come up with the best combination of tiles no matter what you get in your stack.
The basic combinations however that you would want to come up with consist of the highest combination which is the tile that has four and two pips on one; and two and one pips on the other.
These two tiles equal 9; the highest score in standard Pai Gow scoring.
The next combination that you want to get consists of matching tiles in value; like a double 6 tile; a double 4; double 5; and so on. If for instance, the dealer gets the same total in their tiles but the tiles are not a pair; your pair will still win over the dealer’s.
By studying all winning combinations in Pai Gow; you can now easily come up with the right two-tile combination in your stack to beat the dealer.
