How do you play PaiGow?
The game of Pai Gow is a little complex and may take some time before you become adept with the rules. Basically, it starts by placing bets and then the dealer or bank distributes four tiles to all of the players, including himself. When you get your tiles, you are to create two hands, one called a high hand and the other a low hand, by making combinations.
If you were dealt with a less than desirable set of tiles, you are, unfortunately, unable to replace the tiles or draw more tiles. You are constrained to make the most out of the tiles you have with you. Since the main purpose of the game is to have a pair of hands that are high in value. To increase your chances of winning the game, you should make both your high and low hands strong (high value).
While you (and everyone else involved in the game) are deciding on the best pairing for your set of four tiles, the faces of the tiles should not be shown to anyone. When everyone is content with the way they have arranged their tiles, it is only then that the tiles, including the tiles of the dealer, are turned up. Incidentally, if you are having trouble remembering the value of the hands, keep in mind that the names of the highest valued pairs are followed by either a “wong” or a “gong”. If none of your pairs have a wong or a gong in the name, then count the dots, tiles with a total of 9 are ranked as the highest.
When all the tiles are exposed, you then compare your high hand followed by your low hand with those of your opponent (who is basically just the dealer / banker) respectively. To win a game of Pai Gow, both your high and low hands should beat the high and low hands of the other players. If one hand loses to another, no money exchanges hands and the situation is called a “push”. If you lose in both hands, you naturally, lose the game (and your wagers).
Although the game can be played by several players, you should only concern yourself with your tiles and that of the dealer. Your aim (and the aim of the other players) is to have a combination that is strong enough to beat the hands of the dealer. In cases of ties, unfortunately, the bets go to the dealer.