Pai Gow Tiles House Way from the Taj Mahal

Last Update: Oct 17, 2008

The following is the Taj Mahal house way for pai gow (tiles). If more than one rule applies, use the one listed first.

1. Pair Rules

   A

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

   B

   Split Gee Joon only when holding 6+6, 6+5, or 6+4.

   C

   Split 2's and 12's to make 6/8 or better, or other two tiles are 9 and 11.

   D

   Split 9's only with any combination of 2, 10, and 12 tiles.

   E

   Split 8's only with any combination of 2, 10, 11, or 12 tiles. Also split with 9 and 11.

   F

   Split 7's only with any combination of 2, 10, 11, or 12 tiles, including at least one 2 or 12.

2. Wong, Gong, and High Nine Rule

Play a high-9 (high tile 2 or 12), gong, or wong whenever possible.

Given the choice of the 2 or 12 tile, use the 12.

Given the choice, play high-9 first, then gong, then wong. However, if doing so results in a low-3 (where high tile is less than high-6) or less, then maximize the high. There is a exception, to this exception, as follows.

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

3. Two Small Tiles Rule

Play two small tiles together, if they add to 7-9. If more than one way is possible, play the lowest hand in that range, except with both 2 and 12, play the 12 in the high hand. Following are the exceptions.

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 2/12, 4, 5, and 11.

C

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

4. Balancing Rule

Balance the two hands as much as possible. Following are the exceptions.

A

Play high-7 and low-9 with high-4, low-4, 5, and gee or joon.

B

Play high-3 and low-9 with high-4, low-4, 5, and 9.

C

Play the high-9 with high-4, low-4, 5, and a 6/7/low-8.

D

Play the high-9 with high-6, low-6, gee/joon, and 4/5.

E

Maximize the high with high-6, low-6, 11, and 3/4/5.

F

Play the 8 with high-6, low-6, 2/12, and 4/5.

G

Play the high-8 in the high hand with high-8, low-8, high-4, and 6/7.

H

Play the 4/high-5 with high-8, low-8, high-6, 7.

I

Maximize high hand with high-10, low-10, 11, 6/7/low-8/9.

J

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

K

Play high-10 in high hand with high-10, low-10, low-8, and 9.

L

Play 9 in the high hand with 3, low-6, 7, and 4/5.

M

Play high-8 with 11 in high hand with high-8, 11, high-10, 6/7/low-8.

N

Play high-8 with 11 in high hand with high-8, 11, low-10, 7/low-8.

5. Finally, there is an unwritten rule (until now) that the house will never play a hand where an alternative benefits both the high and the low. For example, consider the following hand.

   

   Rule 1C would suggest the pair should be split to make 6/8. However both the high and low are improved by playing 7/teen pair.

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