Simple Pai Gow Strategy

Last Update: May 31, 2010

Play the first rule that applies.

One Way Only

If there is one play that is obviously the best, which will happen about 38% of the time, then play it. This happens when one play is superior to both alternatives in both the high and low.

Pairs

Split pairs as follows.

Gee Joon — Split only with 6-4, 6-5, 6-6.
Pair of 2's or 12's — Split only with 9-11, or to make 6-8 or better.
Pair of 5's — Split to make 7/7.
Pair of 6's — Split to make 7/8 or better.
Pair of 7's — Split to make 7/7 or better.
Pair of 8's — Split to make 8/8 or better, and with 9-11.
Pair of 9's — Split to make 9/9 or better.
Pair of 4's, 10's, 11's — Never split.

Wong, Gong, and High-9

If you have both high-2 and low-2, play the best high hand.
Play the best low hand if it is worth 6 or 7 points and the tiles include a low-2 and/or high-8.
Play Wong or Gong instead of High Nine if the fourth tile is a 4 or 5.
Play High Nine, Gong, or Wong, in that order of preference.

All others

Play the best low hand if it is worth 5, 6, or 7 points.
Play the best low hand if the best high hand is worth 5 points or less.
Play the best low hand if the best high hand is worth 6 points, but its high tile ranks lower than a high-6.
Play the best high hand with all other combinations.

House Edge

House edge banking = 0.0694%.
House edge not banking = 1.8828%.
Combined average = 0.9761%.

Printer Friendly

I also have a printer friendly version of this strategy (PDF 5K).

Acknowledgement

This strategy was created by "JB."

Reason #1 why the Wizard likes Bovada:

Excellent customer support

The thing that separates Bovada from the rest is its customer support. Many other online gaming companies outsource their support. It can be difficult getting a response from them, and if you do it is often slow and handled by somebody with little understanding of gambling or even of English. But Bovada’s support is handled by Bovada, and their support staff is actually knowledgeable and helpful.

I’m so confident that you’ll have a good experience with Bovada that if you have a problem getting paid and you can’t resolve it with them on your own, I’ll talk to them myself. I personally have known the Bovada management for about three years and always found them to be professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. I have also personally visited one of their call centers so I could see first-hand how they handle customer issues. (More on my mediation service.)

If you have a problem with any other casino besides Bovada, I can’t help you. I get complaints from players of other online casinos every day who have difficulty getting paid. However that isn’t my job nor my problem. If you play at Bovada after clicking through my site I’ll stand behind you 100%. Any place else and you’re on your own.

Visit Bovada