J.B. Intermediate Strategy for Pai Gow

Introduction

Follow the first rule that applies:

1. If there is only one way to play, play it. This includes playing two pairs.

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2. Pair of 4's, 10's, 11's — never split.
3. Gee Joon — only split with 6-4, 6-5, 6-6.
4. Pair of 2's or 12's — Only split with 9-11, or to make 6-8 or better, except with 9-High 8.
5. Pair of 5's — only split with 2-12.
6. Pair of 6's — split all 6's with 2-11, 2-12, 11-12; and split Low 6's with High 10 & 2 or 12.
7. Pair of 7's — split to make 7/7 or better, except with High 10-Low 10 when banking.
8. Pair of 8's — split to make 8/8 or better, and with 9-11.
9. Pair of 9's — split to make 9/9 or better.

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10. Play Gong or Wong with a low hand of 0 or 1.
11. Play a Low 8 Gong if the low hand is worth 2, 3, 7 (unless it uses a Low 10), or 8 points.
12. Play 5/7, 6/7, or 7/7 if you have a 2 or 12.
13. Play High Nine.
14. Play all other Low 8 Gong, except when you also have a High 8 and a 6/Gee.

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15. 3,4,5 points: play the best low hand
16. 6 points: play 3/3 if possible, otherwise play the best high hand
17. 7 points (banking): play the best high hand
18. 7 points (not banking): play the best high hand if it separates the highest 2 tiles, otherwise play the best low hand
19. 8 points: play 4/4 if you have two 7's and no 10, otherwise play the best high hand
20. 9 points: play the best high hand if it is worth 7, 8 or 9 points, otherwise play the best low hand
21. 10 points: play 5/5 if possible, otherwise play the best high hand
22. 11 points: play 5/6 if possible; otherwise play 4/7 if you have a Gee; otherwise play the best high hand
23. 12,14,16 points: play the best low hand if it is worth 5, 6 or 7 points, otherwise play the best high hand
24. 13 or 15 points: play the best low hand
25. 17 or more points: play the best high hand

Written by: Michael Shackleford