Pai Gow Tiles Expert
Welcome! I’m Joanne and I love Pai Gow Tiles. I’ve played Pai Gow Tiles for over 30 years across the continents. Though many consider me a Pai Gow Tiles expert, I still learn each time I play. I love the complexity of the game, the sound the tile shuffling makes, and feeling the surface of the tiles blind. Skill, perfect play, and odds calculations will definitely help your bankroll, but as we often say at the table: “Rather be lucky thank good!”
Casino supervisors consider me an expert and am usually faster at setting my hand than the dealer. Many nervous new Pai Gow Tiles dealers have been trained when i’m playing since I am patient at the table and have provide different scenarios for player banks, pre-paid commissions, etc. – all skills a dealer needs to draw on confidently, especially when there are high-rollers at the table. Adept at assessing a hand and “calling” the optimal tile to reduce a dealer’s hand, I’m your best wing-woman for overseeing accuracy in dealing, payout, and play. I started my Pai Gow journey learning from professional Tile dealers. Playing in Las Vegas and all over the world has been an adventure in house rules and advancing technology in dealing. I have a few sets of my own and a Las Vegas pit supervisor gave me an old layout when they refurbished their tables.
This is a site about Pai Gow Tiles, but as a long time gambler, I have one piece of advice. Though I have many years of Pai Gow Tiles under my belt, it has taken me years to get to this point. Know when it’s time to get up. There will always be another day and another hand. Sometimes, the Tiles (or any other game) are not going your way. Yes, you can lose another hand after losing the last 10 hands. I’ve seen more gamblers pull out money after a string of losses, confident the streak can’t continue. It can. Remember to always play within your means and don’t ride a downward spiral, it can continue until your discipline stops it. Please gamble responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Pai Gow Tiles?
Pai Gow Tiles are traditional Chinese gaming pieces used in the game of Pai Gow, which dates back to the Song Dynasty. Each tile has a solid back and carved dots on the opposite side, in white, red, or a combination of the two colors. A set has 32 tiles consisting of 16 pairs.
How is Pai Gow played?
Players aim to create the best possible high and low hands by making two hands of two tiles each. The game involves strategic thinking and skill, as players must decide how to split their tiles into two hands to beat the dealer’s two hands. It combines elements of chance and strategy, making it a popular choice among gaming enthusiasts.
Are there Pai Gow Tile shuffling machines?
Yes! There are tables with internal mechanics which will shuffle and stack the tiles for the dealer! I first saw one in Sydney, Australia at Star City. I have yet to see one in Las Vegas, but I believe they have these machines in the California card rooms.
What is the history of Pai Gow Tiles?
Pai Gow Tiles has a rich history that dates back centuries, originating in China as a gambling game. It has evolved over time, influencing various gaming cultures worldwide.
What does Pai Gow mean?
Pai Gow literally means to “place nine” which relates to the general goal of the game. Of course there are many exceptions which makes Pai Gow arguably the most difficult game to play in a casino. Engineers and mathematical thinkers typically enjoy the game.
Where can I learn more about Pai Gow Tiles?
You can learn more about Pai Gow through various online resources (such as this one), books, and gaming communities. Many websites offer tutorials, history, and strategies for playing Pai Gow. But the fastest way to learn is by putting money on the Pai Gow Tile table in a casino!