Las Vegas - Pai Gow Tiles

I've been fascinated by Pai Gow Tiles for the last few years. It's a rather popular game in Atlantic City, and there are often numerous tables in "action." (Less popular in Vegas, from what I've noticed, but definitely present in the Vegas casinos with an "Asian-Games" focus.

Pai Gow literally translated means "To Make Nine." Baccarat and Chemin de Fer are said to have originated from Pai Gow, though there is no historical evidence to link the two games.

Unfortunately, there is very little written on the game of Tiles in the English Language.

There is a bit of information on the web, but otherwise, there is one book, by Michael Musante published in 1981 that is considered to be the definitive English language guide to the game.

Last year, I was able to find the book on the Amazon Marketplace for $60, unfortunately, I did not release the book from my shopping cart soon enough... and it was gone at that price.

As you can see, the current $ (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0896508153/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221920881&sr=8-1) for a used copy of this book (with a original retail price of $5.95) ranges from $140'ish to over $250 (yikes!).

Luckily, just last week, I was able to find a copy from an obscure out of print book shop on the left coast. $30+ shipping for a total of $36.80.

I've ordered a set of tiles (dominoes), and can't wait to really get into learning the game.

So, are there any FTers' out there who play TILES?

Any advice or thoughts, and especially links to references (other than the Wizard of Odds) would be very much appreciated!

Sure. Go to http://www.gamblersgeneralstore.com/ and search for Pai Gow. Plenty of books and supplies. It is a very interesting store and worth a side-trip when you're in Las Vegas (it is downtown, not too far from the Stratosphere).

Never had the patience to learn the game though it does look interesting. I especially enjoy how sometimes a player will shake the dice cup and slam it on the table :).

Is that the game where there is a brass container full of tiles, and they shake it up and slam it down on the table with a WHAM, every hand?

I would be interested in learning about this game, as well as other esoteric games I don't usually play, if and only if the vig is on a par with blackjack and craps (EV of -0.5%).

Is the game any different in the L.A. cardrooms than in Vegas? (They offer "blackjack" in L.A. cardrooms -- with a massive rake). In L.A. the game is advertised as "Pai Gow Poker."

Everything you need to know is at www.PaiGow.com (no affiliation with the site).

I went through it, learned and memorized the hands, understood gameplay, even bought a tiles set off ebay to get quick at setting hands. When I finally mustered up the courage to play, it took me forever to set my hands while the other players (all betting blacks and purples) waited and waited on me. It got more uncomfortable than betting player when the entire baccarat table is on banker so I didn't pursue it further. From my brief conversations with other players, I got the gist that they had all grown up playing it.

Everything you need to know is at www.PaiGow.com (no affiliation with the site).

I went through it, learned and memorized the hands, understood gameplay, even bought a tiles set off ebay to get quick at setting hands. When I finally mustered up the courage to play, it took me forever to set my hands while the other players (all betting blacks and purples) waited and waited on me. It got more uncomfortable than betting player when the entire baccarat table is on banker so I didn't pursue it further. From my brief conversations with other players, I got the gist that they had all grown up playing it.

Thanks MikeE, I've actually checked out that site. The Musante book is pretty decent, but as you mention, the hand setting is just so natural to Chinese that have been playing since birth.

There are $20 ($25) and $40 ($50) tables in Atlantic City, so this is probably a good place to initially play.

Now, I LOVE being the only player at a Baccarat table betting PLAYER while the entire table is BANKER. Of course, in those situations, I face my cards very very slowly and methodically. Once, I had a situation where everyone was against me, and then I started winning, and got the shoe. After a bit of Chinese conversation, it was decided that I would continue to hold the shoe for the balance of the night. I'm thinking that maybe there was belief I was the holder of the CHI energy. :cool::cool:

Is that the game where there is a brass container full of tiles, and they shake it up and slam it down on the table with a WHAM, every hand?

I would be interested in learning about this game, as well as other esoteric games I don't usually play, if and only if the vig is on a par with blackjack and craps (EV of -0.5%).

Is the game any different in the L.A. cardrooms than in Vegas? (They offer "blackjack" in L.A. cardrooms -- with a massive rake). In L.A. the game is advertised as "Pai Gow Poker."

The house edge at Pai Gow Tiles can be as high as 2.4% and as low as -0.27%. A lot depends on your tile setting strategy, and whether you are personally banking the game, or not.

In this thread, I'm specifically referring to the game Pai Gow Tiles (which does NOT use cards, but instead dominoes). There is a much more popular table game, that uses cards, called Pai Gow Poker. I'm certain the California game is Pai Gow Poker, as you can't use anything other than cards in California card rooms (Don't you love those craps games with cards... :rolleyes::rolleyes: ).

I'm thinking that maybe there was belief I was the holder of the CHI energy. :cool::cool:

Or it could've have been the....


...I face my cards very very slowly and methodically.

:D:p