Table Games

Pai Gow

Pai Gow is a Chinese game of dominoes which is thousands of years old. In fact, it is the oldest form of gaming which is played in modern casinos.

Getting started

To join in the action, simply place your cash on the table and the Dealer will exchange it for gaming chips – then you’re ready to go!
After playing, go to the cashier to change any winnings back to cash or take them to another table to continue the fun.

What is the aim of the game?

When playing, you are playing against the Banker, not against other players.

Pai Gow is played with 32 dominoes, ‘tiles’. These 32 tiles are divided into 16 pairs, 11 are identical pairs and 5 are different in appearance but matched in value. The tiles have different numbers of spots on them - from 2 to 12 red and/or white spots.

The tiles also have some unusual names but don’t worry about that - it’s the number of spots that matter.

How it works

The Dealer will give each player and themselves four tiles. The object of the game is to arrange the four tiles into two hands of two tiles each: a “High Hand” and a “Low Hand”.  In order to win, both hands must be higher than the Banker’s, if only one is higher it is a draw (neither wins or loses), if both hands are less than the Banker’s, then it is a losing hand.

 

How to set a hand

The strength of your Pai Gow hand is determined by the total number of spots on the tiles and the “ranking” of the tiles. The colour of the spots (red or white) is irrelevant. There are three ways to set the tiles in a hand:

1. Pairs

The 16 Ranking Pairs
These are the 16 highest hands in Pai Gow, ranked in order.

2. Wongs, Gongs and High Nines

Another good way to set your tiles is to look for Wongs, Gongs and High Nines. A Wong is a Heaven or Earth tile with a 9 tile. The next best hand is a Gong, which is a Heaven or Earth tile with an 8 tile. After that comes a High Nine, which is a Heaven or Earth tile with a 7 tile.

3. Numerical Value

Tiles are also set by their numerical value. This is done by adding the value (number of spots) of the two tiles together. With any value of 10 or more, only the right numerical digit is read. E.g. a 9 tile and a 5 tile equals 14, in Pai Gow this is 4. The closer the total is to 9 the better the hand - so 9 is the best and 0 is the worst.  The Gee Jun tiles are sometimes called “jokers” because they can have a value of 3 or 6. Take care to look for these tiles when setting your hand.

Ranking

Occasionally, there will be a tie between the Player and the Banker’s hands. In this case we decide the winner by looking at the highest “ranked” tile of the 2 tiles. In an absolute tie between two hands the Banker will win.

The individual rankings follow:

The Single Ranking Tiles
These are the 16 ranking denominations ranked in order.

The House Way

The House Way is the way in which the house (Dealer) sets its hands. The House will always set its hand according to the set of rules called the House Way. If you like you can ask the Dealer to set your hand for you the House Way. This is a great way to learn.

How to Play

1. The Dealer will shuffle and place the tiles in eight stacks of four tiles each.
2. You may place a bet for the hand.
3. The tiles will be “cut” in different ways to make the delivery of the tiles more random by the Dealer. Then, three dice will be shaken in a cup to determine who gets the first tiles.
4. The Dealer will give each Player four tiles.
5. After all tiles have been delivered; you may pick up and look at your tiles. Place your tiles in two stacks of two tiles face down in the way you want the tiles to be set. Be sure not to let the other Players see your tiles nor discuss what tiles you have. Remember, you can ask the Dealer to set your tiles House Way.
6. When all the Players hands have been set, the Dealer will turn over and set their own tiles according to the House Way. The Player’s hands will then be compared to the Banker’s hand, to determine who has won.
7. The Dealer will then collect the losing bets and pay all the winning bets.

Bets and Odds

Winning bets on Pai Gow are paid at the odds of 19 to 20 even money less 5% “commission”. Pays 19 to 20.

Player Banking

Pai Gow is unique in that the Players are, in turn, given the opportunity to become the Banker.  Everyone is entitled to take the Bank provided
they can cover all the bets made by the other Players.  Alternatively, you can go for a 50/50 partnership with the House. If no Players take the Bank, then the House will take the Bank. To take the Bank, just ask your friendly Dealer.

Basic Hints for Setting Your Hands

PAIRS – Look for pairs first. Remember that some of the pairs don’t look alike.
HIGH NINES, GONGS AND WONGS – Next look for a High Nine, Gong or Wong in that order.
TWO SMALL TILES TOTALLING 7,8 OR 9 – If you have no pairs or High Nines, Gongs or Wongs, then look for two small tiles that add up to 7, 8, or 9.
“BALANCED HAND” – If none of the above can be found, balance the point values of the two hands by playing the biggest tile with the smallest tile.

Table Limits

Pai Gow tables offer varying minimum bets. Before you sit down, please check the sign displaying the betting range at the table.

Good Luck … and Remember

As with all Table Games, if you are not sure about a bet or the rules of the game, just ask one of our friendly Table Games staff for assistance. They will be happy to explain anything about the game that you may not understand or provide you with further information in relation to the rules.

Play responsibly and be in to win.

SKYCITY prides itself on being a responsible host.  As such, we would encourage you to play only at levels you can afford.  Remember - you must be aged 20 years or older to enter the gaming areas of SKYCITY.

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