The Legend behind Pai Gow

I just finished a page on the story behind the tile rankings in pai gow. Please have a look. As always, I welcome all comments, corrections, and questions.

The Legend behind Pai Gow.

I don't know a thing about pai gow nor do I have an inclination to play it, but I found your article fascinating .

I've already read it a few times.

I second that ; also found no typos [that I would know about]

First:

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On December 30, 2011, I met a very nice Caucasian gentleman by the name of Colonel Rob Patton

That's a great touch to have on a legend. Well done!

Last:

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Finally, Rob addressed a question I have wondered about for years: Why do dice in all the Chinese games, namely pai gow, pai poker poker, baccarat, and sic bo, paint the one and four red but all the other numbers black? His answer follows.

(emphasis added)

I think the part in bold is an error.

Very cool. Thanks for that.


One problem was, I was getting a feeling of vertigo while looking at the tiles. The photos look upside-down.

On the other hand, I rotated one. It still looks weird, but not as bad.

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...paint the one and four red but all the other numbers black?

Shouldn't that say "black or blue" ?

A quick mention and salute to Billy Woo (actually, the Sinophile Bill Walsh of Trenton, NJ), who as a casino executive in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, had for ages promoted and introduced both Tiles and Pai Gow poker to countless Casinos in his casino version of the games.

A salute to Bill.

Quote: Nareed

pai poker poker
I think the part in bold is an error.

No error.

In both games, dice are traditionally used to determine the dealing order.

However, lately, in PG Poker, you're more likely to see a single digit RNG display for this purpose.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Quote: Nareed

pai poker poker
I think the part in bold is an error.

No error.

In both games, dice are traditionally used to determine the dealing order.

However, lately, in PG Poker, you're more likely to see a single digit RNG display for this purpose.

I think what Nareed means is that it should say PAI GOW POKER, instead of PAI POKER POKER, unless there's something called Pai Poker Poker.

The article is super fascinating. I'm going down to HSI this week, and I will share that with the dealers. Most fascinating is the fact that all the 1 and 4 dot tiles are red. That's so cool

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Regarding the vertigo, I thought I would do something different than the usual laying down tiles. These are supposed to look big and imposing, like the monoliths in 2001, but I doubt anybody will make that connection. In the actual pictures it is hard to tell they are even upright, so I know I could have done a better job. If I think of a better way to show them I'll redo them. Maybe get a model to hold them, like the gals on the Price is Right might hold a can of peas.

I liked the photos. It was a nice change of pace.

Was there any explanation why there are three "six" value tiles and only one "three"?