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Effective Strategy for Pai Gow Tiles When Not Acting as the Banker
Introduction
Here is the recommended strategy for play without banking in the game of Pai Gow: Pai Gow Tiles This approach is designed to work optimally against the typical 'house way' that casinos employ. Trump Plaza Yet, it should perform quite well against virtually any casino's style of play. This might be the first documented optimal strategy for Pai Gow outside of a... very long list of hands.
To implement this strategy, begin by applying the first applicable guideline.
Pairs
For tile setups that include a pair, apply the first applicable guideline:
- Play a pair in the low hand if possible.
- If you have Gee Joon, split it to achieve a hand of 7/9 or better, improving the low hand if possible.
- For the Teens and Days, split to form a hand of 6/8 or higher if it enhances the low hand, unless you hold 9 and H8. Also split when you have 9 and 11.
- Split 9s to make 9/9 or better.
- If you have double 8s, it's wise to split for a result of 8/8 or higher. You can also split when you have 9 or 11.
- Split 7s to make 7/7 or better.
- When you have 6s, aim to split them to produce a combination of 7/8 or better. This also applies to L6s if paired with H10 or Teen/Day.
- Split 5s to make 7/7.
- Play a pair in the high hand.
Only One Way
Consider Wong as 11 points and Gong as 10 points; tally the points in the high and low hands for the three potential splits, then apply the first relevant rule:
If only one split yields the highest point value, configure the tiles accordingly, ignoring other guidelines. Example
If two splits result in the highest total points, each with equal points in low and high hands as well as identical high tile ranks, set the tiles in either configuration and disregard all other rules. Example
If two splits display the same maximum point total and have equal points in low hands but differ in high tile ranks, opt for the configuration that provides the stronger low hand and ignore other rules. Example
For two splits with equal point totals and ranking in high hands, but one set has a superior high tile rank over the other, choose the split with the stronger high hand and disregard remaining instructions. Example
Teen and Day
Follow the first rule that applies:
Utilize both Teen and Day together in a single hand through the following combinations:
- 11 and H8 - play 4/9
- 11 and H6 - play 4/7
- 11 and Gee - play 4/7
- 11 and 4 - play 4/5
- H10 and 9 - play 4/9
- H10 and Gee - play 4/6
- H10 and 4 - play 4/4
- L10 and H4 - play 4/4
Set Teen in the low hand while Day occupies the high hand with these combinations:
- 11 and 10 - play high 2/3
- 11 and 5 - play high 3/7
- 10 and 5 - play high 2/7
- 9 and 6 - play high 8/Wong
- 9 and Gee - play high 8/Wong
- 5 and 4 - play high 6/7
Strive for the best high hand that distinguishes between Teen and Day.
Teen only
If possible, form Wong, Gong, and High Nine, prioritize playing High Nine.
If Wong and Gong can be realized, but High Nine cannot, adhere to the first relevant guideline:
- Play Wong with H8 and L10.
- If the combination of 9 and H8 can be organized along with a fourth tile of Gee, 4, 5, or 6, play them together.
- Use 9 and L8 in the lower hand if the fourth tile is a 5.
- Play Gong.
Should you be able to create Wong and High Nine but not Gong, follow the foremost applicable guideline:
- Play Wong if the fourth tile is a 4 or 5.
- Play High Nine.
If Gong and High Nine are achievable without Wong, please utilize the first rule that applies:
- Play H8 Gong if the fourth tile is a 4.
- Opt to play L8 Gong if the fourth tile is a Gee, 4, 5, L6, H10, or 11.
- Consider using H8 and 7 in the low hand if the fourth tile is a 5.
- Play High Nine.
If Wong can be formed but Gong or High Nine cannot, apply the first relevant rule:
- Aim for the optimal low hand if the third tile is a 10 and the fourth is a 4 or 5, except when you have L10 and H4.
- Play Wong.
If Gong is achievable but Wong and High Nine are not, hold onto the first applicable rule:
- Position H8 and L8 in the low hand if the fourth tile is a Gee, 4, 5, or 6.
- When dealing with H8, secure the best low hand if the third tile shows 10 or 11, with the fourth tile being a 4 or 5.
- If you have H8, play the strongest low hand with third tile of L10 and the fourth of L6.
- With L8, aim for the optimal low hand if the third tile is 10 and the fourth is L4.
- Utilize L8 for the optimal low hand if the third tile is L10 and the fourth is 5.
- Play Gong.
If you can create High Nine but not Wong or Gong, follow the foremost applicable rule:
- Determine the best low hand if the third tile is H10 and the fourth is a 5.
- Set up the best low hand when the third tile is a 10 and the fourth is 4, excluding scenarios where you have L10 and H4.
- Play High Nine.
If none of Wong, Gong, or High Nine can be formed, apply the first relevant guideline:
- Establish 11 and 10 in the lower hand if the fourth tile is a Gee, 5, or 6.
- Play 11 and H10 in the lower hand provided the fourth tile is a 4.
- In case the fourth tile is a 5, arrange 11 and H4 in the lower hand.
- Establish 10 and 10 in the lower hand if the fourth tile is a Gee, 4, 5, or 6.
- Utilizing H6 with a 5 in the lower hand is advised if the fourth tile reveals L6.
- Set 6 and 4 in the lower hand proceeding when the fourth tile is a 6.
- When the fourth tile is a 5, opt for a combination of 6 and Gee in the high hand.
- Position 5 and H4 in the high hand when the fourth tile shows L10.
- In the high hand, use 4 and 4 if the fourth tile corresponds to a 10.
- Play the best low hand.
Day only
If possible, form Wong, Gong, and High Nine, prioritize playing High Nine.
If Wong and Gong can be realized, but High Nine cannot, adhere to the first relevant guideline:
- Play Wong with H8 and 10.
- Play Wong with L8 and 4.
- Play Gong with L8 and H6.
- Play the best low hand.
Should you be able to create Wong and High Nine but not Gong, follow the foremost applicable guideline:
- Play Wong if the fourth tile is a 4, 5, or H10.
- Play High Nine.
If Gong and High Nine are achievable without Wong, please utilize the first rule that applies:
- Utilize H8 and 7 in the lower hand if the fourth tile indicates Gee, 5, or 6.
- Utilize L8 and H7 in the lower hand if the fourth tile reflects a Gee.
- Play H8 Gong if the fourth tile is a 4 or H10.
- Utilize L8 Gong if the fourth tile indicates Gee, 4, 5, 6, H10, or 11.
- Play High Nine.
If Wong can be formed but Gong or High Nine cannot, apply the first relevant rule:
- Aim for the optimal low hand if the third tile is a 10 and the fourth is a 4 or 5, except when you have L10 and H4.
- Play Wong.
If Gong is achievable but Wong and High Nine are not, hold onto the first applicable rule:
- Position H8 and L8 in the low hand if the fourth tile is a Gee, 4, 5, or 6.
- Aim for the best low hand if the third tile shows 10 and the fourth is either 4 or 5.
- When using H8, play your optimal low hand if the third tile reads 11 and the fourth is a Gee, 4, 5, or L6.
- When utilizing H8, play your best low hand if the third tile is L10 and the fourth is either a Gee or 6.
- If using L8, aim for your optimal low hand if the third tile reads 11 and the fourth is either L4 or 5.
- With L8, pursue your best low hand if the third tile shows L10 and the fourth is a 6.
- Play Gong.
If you can create High Nine but not Wong or Gong, follow the foremost applicable rule:
- Pursue the best low hand if the third tile reads 11 and the fourth is L4 or 5.
- Establish the best low hand if the third tile shows 10 and the fourth tile falls on Gee, 4, or 5.
- Aim for the best low hand if the third tile reveals H10 and the fourth is a 6.
- Play High Nine.
If none of Wong, Gong, or High Nine can be formed, apply the first relevant guideline:
- Establish 11 and 10 in the lower hand if the fourth tile is a Gee, 5, or 6.
- Play 11 and H10 in the lower hand provided the fourth tile is a 4.
- In case the fourth tile is a 5, arrange 11 and H4 in the lower hand.
- Set up 10 and 10 in the lower hand if the fourth tile is found to be a Gee, L4, 5, or 6.
- Utilizing H6 with a 5 in the lower hand is advised if the fourth tile reveals L6.
- Set 6 and 4 in the lower hand proceeding when the fourth tile is a 6.
- When the fourth tile is a 5, opt for a combination of 6 and Gee in the high hand.
- Position 5 and H4 in the high hand when the fourth tile shows L10.
- In the high hand, use 4 and 4 if the fourth tile corresponds to a 10.
- Play the best low hand.
No Teen or Day
With H10 and L10, play as follows:
- 11 with a 7 - play 1/high 7
- 11 with a Gee or 6 - play high 1/6
- H6 with a 7, L8, or 9 - play the H10 in the high hand
- L6 with a 9 - play the H10 in the high hand
- 5 with a 7 or 9 - play the H10 in the high hand
- L4 with a H4 or H6 - play the best low hand
With H8 and L8, play as follows:
- 9 with H7 - play 5/high 7
- 9 with L7 - play high 5/7
- H6 with L6 - play 4/4
- L4 with 11 - play 2/high 9
- L4 with H10 - play 4/6
With H7 and L7, play as follows:
- 11 with Gee - play 4/7
- For L10 paired with Gee, L4, 5, or 6 - place both 7s in the lower hand.
- 8 with 4 - play 1/5
With H6 and L6, play as follows:
- 9 with L8 - play high 4/5
- 9 with 7 - play 3/high 5
- H8 with 7, L10, or 11 - play the best high hand
- If you have 5 combined with 9, L10, or 11 - utilize the higher number in the lower hand.
- Utilizing Gee with L10 or 11 - play the higher 9 in the high hand.
With H4 and L4, play as follows:
- 11 with L10 - play high 4/5
- 5 with Gee - play high 7/9
In the high hand, use H8 and 11 utilizing the next combinations:
- H10 with a Gee, L4, 5, or 6
- L10 with a 5
- 7 with a 4
- 6 with a 4 or 5
In the high hand, combine H10 and 9 if the third tile is a 5 and the fourth is either L6 or 7.
If the third tile is a 5 and the fourth tile is a H10, make sure to play H6 and Gee in the high hand.
In the high hand, utilize 11 and L8 with the following combinations:
- 7 with a 4
- 5 with a L7 or H10
When the third tile is a 5 and the fourth tile is a 7, you should play L10 and 9 in the high hand.
Utilize the specified combinations in your gameplay:
- 11, 9, 7, H6 - play 5/8
- H10, 9, 7, H6 - play 5/7
- L10, 9, H8, 4 - play 4/7
- H10, L8, L7, H6 - play 4/7
- L8, L6, H4, Gee - play 4/7
- 9, L8, 6, H4 - play 3/4
- 9, L8, H6, L4 - play 3/4
- 10, H8, H6, 5 - play 1/8
- 11, 7, H6, H4 - play 1/7
- 10, 7, H6, H4 - play 1/6
- 9, H7, H6, 5 - play 1/6
- H8, 7, 6, H4 - play 1/4
Here are instructions for playing all other combinations:
- If your best high hand ranks lower than 6-with-H6, opt for the strongest low hand available.
- Select the best low hand if it falls within the range of at least 4-with-H8 but not exceeding 8-with-L10.
- Play the best high hand.