Taj Mahal House Strategy for Pai Gow Tiles

Introduction

Below is the established house method from the Taj Mahal for pai gow tiles . In instances where multiple rules apply, adhere to the first one mentioned.

Pair Rules

A. Never split the following pairs (4, 5, 6, 10, 11).

B. Split Gee Joon with 6-4, 6-5, or 6-6.

C. Separate 2s and 12s to form hands totaling 6 or 8 or better, particularly when the other two tiles are valued at 9 and 11.

D. Divide 9s using any mix of 2, 10, or 12 tiles.

E. Split 8s with combinations involving 2, 10, 11, or 12 tiles. Additionally, separate them with 9 and 11.

F. Break apart 7s in conjunction with combinations of 2, 10, 11, or 12 tiles, ensuring at least one of those is 2 or 12.

Wong, Gong, and High Nine Rules

Whenever feasible, play a high nine (which includes a high tile of 2 or 12), gong, or wong.

If you have the option between the 2 or 12 tile, opt for the 12.

When given the choice, prioritize playing the high nine first, followed by gong, and then wong. However, if this results in a low 3 (where the high tile value falls below High 6) or less, maximize your high hand. There's a specific exception to this guideline, detailed as follows.

With 2 or 12, 9, 8, and low 4, play 3/gong.

Two Small Tiles Rule

If two small tiles add up to 7, 8, or 9 points, play them together. In scenarios where multiple combinations are feasible, select the lowest high hand within that range; however, if both 2 and 12 are present, prioritize playing the 12 in the high hand. Here are some exceptions to this rule.

A. Play 2 and 12 together with 4+10, 4+11, 5+10, 5+11, 6+10, and 6+11.

B. Play 6/6 with 2 or 12, 4, 5, and 11.

C. Play 12 in the low hand with 2, 12, and 4+5, 4+6, or 10+11.

Balancing Rule

Strive to balance the two hands as evenly as possible. Below are the exceptions.

A. Play high 7/9 with high 4, low 4, 5, gee.

B. Play high 3/9 with high 4, low 4, 5, 9.

C. Use the high 9 paired with a high 4, a low 4, 5, or any 6, 7, or low 8.

D. Combine the high 9 with a high 6, low 6, gee, or any combination of 4 or 5.

E. Amplify the high hand while using high 6, low 6, 11, and any 4, 5, or Gee.

F. Employ the 8-point high hand along with high 6, low 6, 2 or 12, as well as 4 or 5.

G. Utilize the high 8 in the high hand with high 8, low 8, high 4, and either 6 or 7.

H. Play 4/high 5 with high 8, low 8, high 6, any 7.

I. Maximize the high hand by utilizing high 10, low 10, 11, and any values from 6 to 9.

J. Play the high 10 in the high hand with high 10, low 10, high 6, and 7/low 8/9.

K. Include the high 10 in the high hand using high 10, low 10, low 8, and 9.

L. Deploy the 9-point high hand alongside Gee, low 6, 7, and 4 or 5.

M. Incorporate high 8 and 11 into the high hand with combinations of high 8, 11, high 10, and any 6/7/low 8.

N. Integrate high 8 and 11 with high 8, 11, low 10, and any 7 or low 8 in the high hand.

Unwritten Rule

Lastly, there's an unwritten guideline (until now) that the house will avoid playing a hand that would benefit both the high and low. For instance, consider this specific hand.

According to Rule 1C, it would be advisable to split the pair to achieve a 6/8. Nevertheless, both high and low hands would be enhanced by opting for a 7/teen pair. Thus, unwritten rule 4 would take precedence over rule 1C.

---

Go back to the pai gow main page .

Written by: Michael Shackleford