For example, when combined with a 4-point tile, a Gee Joon tile counts as 3 points to make a 7-point hand, instead of counting as 6 points to make a 0-point hand. An exception to the above rule is that the two tiles in the highest ranking 'Gee Joon' pair are semi-wild and are worth either 3 or 6 points, whichever results in a higher total.For example, a 10 and 9 tile is worth 9 points a 4 and 7 tile is worth 1 point. 9 to 0 points (the more the better): For all other 2-tile hands, the total number of dots will be taken, and the terminal digit is used to determine the number of points (as in baccarat).Gong: This is a 2 or 12 tile with any 8 tile.Wong: This is a 2 or 12 tile with any 9 tile.The tiles are pictures in rank order, starting at the upper left, and reading like a page to the bottom right. Pair: There are 16 pairs, as shown in the image above.Each pair of tiles will have a ranking order as follows:.The player does not need to specify which is higher, as this will be obvious. The player will separate his tiles into low and high hands.Each player and dealer will be given four tiles.Pai gow is played with a set of 32 dominoes displayed below.Each casino may have some its own fine points when it comes to player banking and prepaying the 5% commission. Rulesįollowing are the primary rules when it comes to pai gow. You can always ask the dealer to set your hands according to the 'house way.' Better yet, keep reading to learn more about the game. Don't be scared to try the game, even if you know nothing about the rules. However, some Asians immediately leave the table when I sit down, as if I'm unlucky. If you are a pale-face, like me, you'll impress the dealer and some other players that you even understand it. The pace is slow at about 30 hands per hour, and 41% of hands result in a push. What I love about pai gow is that for bankroll preservation, there is nothing that beats it. What makes pai gow difficult is there is order of hands and tiles seems largely random, and is difficult to memorize. The concept is the same as pai gow poker, where both player and banker make high and low hands, and then compare against each other. Indeed, pai gow is a difficult game to learn. How such a complicated game ever got started, I have always wondered. It easily pre-dates roulette and baccarat. Pai gow is the oldest of the casino games.

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