THE GAME

The game of Pai Gow Tiles which originated in Ancient China, is played in most oriental
countries. “Pai Gow” is a game of Chinese dominoes. Literally translated, it means “Cards-Nine”. The game is played with dominoes and is the forerunner of American dominoes.

There are 32 dominoes used in Pai Gow which are mixed or shuffled by the House Supervisor. The dominoes are placed in eight (8) stacks of four (4) each. The Player/Dealer and up to seven (7) players are dealt one stack (four dominoes). The object of the game is to set the dominoes into two hands (front and back, two dominoes per hand) for the best “ranking” combination. If they are lower, the Player/Dealer wins. When the Player/Dealer and players have the same ranking combinations, the Player/Dealer is the winner.

RANKING COMBINATIONS

It is necessary to memorize or refer to the chart for the first sixteen (16) rankings. The highest is the “Supreme” combinations, which is called, in Chinese “Jee Joon” - domino three (red 1, white 2) and domino six (white 2, red 4). The second through the sixteenth rankings are pairs or “Bo”. The pairs do not follow a number sequence from highest to lowest or vice versa. The pairs are actually symbols to the Chinese. For example, the second highest ranking is the pair of twelves called “Double Heaven”. The third ranking is the pair of twos called “Double Earth”. The fourth ranking is the pair of red eights or “Double People”, etc. (Seechart).

The thirteenth to sixteenth ranking pairs are not identical dominoes; they are known as mixed (chop) pairs.

After the pair rankings, the best combinations are the “Wong” (King” which is the twelve (Heaven) and any nine. This ranking followed by the dominoes two (Earth) and the nine. Next is the “Gong” (Steel) which is the twelve (Heaven) and any eight followed by the two (Earth) and any eight.

When Bo (pairs) Wong, or Gong combinations cannot be made, the next combinations are ranked from nine to zero. These are the most common rankings and they represent the basis of the game of Pai Gow (Cards - Nine). For example, the two dominoes 10 and 9 make a 9. The 11 and 4 make a 5. The 11 and 9 make a zero.

With the four dominoes you are dealt, you make two combinations which will both total closest to nine. The object in setting both combinations is to have them both higher than the two combinations of the hand you are playing against.

When the same player and Player/Dealer have two dominoes totaling the same number, the combinations with the higher “single ranking” is the winner.


THE DEAL

The unique feature about Pai Gow Tiles is that the Player/Dealer is rotated counter-clockwise among the players and House Supervisor after each game; that is, each
player has the opportunity to deal against other players. The Player/Dealer can win, lose or push on each of the players’ individual bets. A Player/Dealer cannot win or lose more than he wagers. A Player/Dealer may “pass” the deal onto the next player if he does not wish to be the Player/Dealer.

After the bets are placed, the Player/Dealer casts three (3) dice which determine which player will receive the first stack of dominoes. The players will rank their dominoes and set the two combinations side by side in front of their bets. The Player/Dealer will show his hand first, and the House Supervisor will then open the hands of the players to determine the losers and winners. Amounts lost by players are collected in the center of the table by the House Supervisor. The winning bets are paid off with the Player/Dealer’s money.

WILD DOMINOES

The 3 and 6 dominoes that make the “Supreme” combinations (Jee Joon) are “Wild Dominoes”. The 3 can be used as a 3 or 6. The 6 can be used as a 6 or 3. For example, dominoes 6 and 4 make zero; however, this 6 can be used as a 3, which makes 7, and is a better combination.

Pai Gow Tiles Rules

RULES FOR PAI GOW TILES

1. The Bicycle Casino does not participate in the actual play of the game and has no interest in the outcome of play. No player ever plays against, or makes a wager against the Bicycle Casino.
2. Each table has a spread limit defining the minimum and maximum amounts that may be wagered in each spot.
3. You must bet at least the table minimum. Less than minimum bets will receive action, but will not be tolerated.
4. Any amount over the maximum table limit will receive no action.
5. There is NO MAXIMUM on Player/Dealer wagers.
6. “Kum-Kum” bets will be paid off and/or collected as one bet.
7. Players who choose to bet “Kum-Kum” must each wager at least the minimum bet permitted at the table.
8. Players who bet “Kum-Kum” do so at their own risk. The House will not hold up action or be responsible for settling disputes that arise from “Kum-Kum” bets.
9. All action goes counter-clockwise, starting with the action button.
10. All cash will be changed to chips. All bets will be paid off in chips.
11. The active player cannot refuse backline bets.
12. Backline players may participate in the play of the hand. If the active player and backline player(s) disagree over the play of the hand, the player with the largest wager in action makes the final decision and is the only one allowed to handle the tiles. When the largest wagers are equal amounts and these players do not agree, the active player makes the decision.
13. In the Player/Dealer position, the active player makes the final decision on any disagreement on the play of the hand.
14. The active Player/Dealer may designate any person to shake the dice. Each player may not shake the dice more than two times consecutively.
15. Once the House Supervisor has released the dice and announced “no more bets,” no one may change his wager. Penalty: Possible forfeiture of wager to the extent that money covers. You may be barred from play and subject to prosecution.
16. The Player/Dealer’s hand will not be opened until all hands have been set.
17. All players must put the entire wager in the spot before the dice are released by the House Supervisor. Only money in the spot plays. Stating “money covers” or other call bets is NOT acceptable. In the Player/Dealer’s position “Buying hand(s)” is NOT acceptable at any time.
18. Any active player is entitled to ask the House Supervisor the amount of the Player/Dealer’s wager, to the extent that it affects the play of his hand.
19. No side bets or proposition bets are allowed.
20. The active player has the first option of being the Player/Dealer on his spot. If the active player refuses to be the Player/Dealer, then anyone can be the Player/Dealer on that spot, whether there was a wager on the previous hand or not.
21. Any attempts to switch, pass, and/or hold out tiles will cause a hand to be foul and the forfeiture of that wager to the extent that money covers. Any player(s) found guilty of such actions will be barred and may be subject to prosecution.
22. Any player removing a losing bet may be barred and/or subject to prosecution.
23. A player who removes a winning wager from the betting circle may be paid the minimum bet (to the extent that money cover), if the correct amount of the wager cannot be determined.
24. All players are forbidden to show or discuss their hands with any other player. In the event that players have discussed their hand, the hand will be played according to “House Way”.
25. A player may see one hand only, regardless of the number of hands on which he has wagered.
26. Players are responsible for the final setting of their hands. When a player requests assistance on the setting of a hand by the House Supervisor, a “House Way” button will be placed on the hand. Upon reaching that hand on the pay-off (after the Player/Dealer’s hand is opened and set), the “House Way” hand will be opened and set per “House Way” guidelines.
27. No wager can be removed until all hands are opened.
28. Any “House Way” hand improperly set by the House Supervisor will be reset by Management.
29. The House Supervisor cannot allow the Player/Dealer to set his hand foul. If the House Supervisor mistakenly allows a foul hand to be played, it will be reset the “House Way” by Management and play will continue.
30. The Player/Dealer’s hand is not set until he has signified his final decision in an obvious manner to the House Supervisor.
31. Management reserves the right to make decisions which are in the best interest of the game. Therefore, under special circumstances, a decision may be rendered that is contrary to the strict and technical interpretation of these rules.

Please contact the welcome center for more details.