Pai Gow Tiles at Bellagio

I had a recent stay of a few days at the Bellagio. I played exclusively craps and pai gow tiles. This was my first time playing pai gow in the casino. It was a fun but expensive learning experience.

I learned how to play tiles a few weeks ago from reading this site. I prepared for the trip by memorizing the Wizard basic strategy and part of the J.B. Advanced Strategy and playing hundreds of hands on the iPhone/iPad app Practice Pai Gow Tiles. The app tracks your accuracy as a percentage of optimal EV. I also watched videos by the Wizard and others, including some on tile delivery that came in handy when I banked.

The first day I tried to play at Harrah’s but their single table ($25 min) had three guys playing two hands a piece, and they were clearly not willing to share. On a later date, the same table was empty but the minimum had been raised to $100, so I passed.

The lone pai gow tiles table at the Bellagio is generally $25 in the morning and $50 in the evening. On my second day, in the morning the minimum was $50. I asked why, and the pit boss lowered it $25.

Bellagio charges $1 commission on a $25 bet and lets you pay commission up front. I generally had the table to myself and banked every other hand. The dealers were game to play out whatever silly delivery I asked for. Whenever a dealer didn’t know a specific delivery, or I didn’t know how to set it up, they would bring in the pit boss, who invariably knew all of the methods and how the banker should set it up so it’s clear to the dealer and camera. I really like this aspect of the game. Like the dice in craps, you the player are directly setting off an otherwise entirely random event, giving you a sense of agency. Few other games allow this.

The dealers were friendly and very experienced. I asked several of them how long they had been dealing tiles and none said less than ten years and one said over twenty.

Most of the dealers and pit bosses were curious about me, a middle-aged white guy, and asked how I learned to play tiles. Whenever I would approach the table with an unfamiliar dealer or pit boss, I invariably got the question, “you play tiles?”. I’m guessing quite a few people drunkenly stumble over to the table and slap their cash down, thinking they’re about to play pai gow poker.

My basic strategy is pretty solid, though I found it much harder when handling the actual tiles and made some stupid mistakes, especially when I felt rushed and didn’t work through all tile combinations. I got more comfortable over several days and my play improved. Because the dealers knew I was a beginner, they often offered advice, one suggesting I stick to the House Way until I got better. Sometimes this advice came into conflict with what I knew to be right (though confidence was often lacking in the moment). For example, I received the tiles: 4(high), 7, 8(high), 10(low). I played 1 - 8 and the dealer corrected me with the house way 4 - 5. I stuck to my original play in this case, but sometimes I waffled or reversed myself. A few times I blundered altogether and missed the higher point play.

My best hand was a teen pair with 9, 8. Which I split to Gong-Wong. Twice I got the dreaded 1-2.

Several of the dealers complimented my play, saying I usually set the tiles correctly and expressing surprise I had only recently learned to play, especially with regards to tile delivery. “You didn’t learn that from a phone app!”, said one.

I spent about seven hours overall playing pai gow. Four out of five sessions were losers, the losses naturally greater when playing at the $50 minimum. Overall I lost about $500 with tips. I think of it like paying for expensive lessons--I truly improved my play over that time, though I attribute most of my losses to bad tiles, not playing mistakes. Despite that, I enjoyed playing at the Bellagio and would happily play there again.

Ironically, three of my four craps sessions were winners, with total winnings of $1300, so I was a net winner this trip.

Thanks to the Wizard and J.B. for their work explaining pai gow tiles and the strategies for it. I would never have attempted it without the resources here.

Very good of you to acknowledge the difference between the practice sessions and the real thing. It takes some real world play to get comfortable with it.

Could you venture a guess as to how many hours of practice you put in on those apps?

Thanks, Coastal! I am studying Pai Gow tile play myself, and your experience confirms that I still have a lot to learn before I sit at a table.

I would estimate 15-20 hours. I'm currently at about 1600 hands, with an overall 98.99% accuracy relative to optimal EV. That should put the edge as player at about -2.65% excluding banking, pushing the commission, or prepaying commission. My recent play on the app is better, dropping the house edge below 2%. The app is actually pretty fun to play--I enjoy the practice.

Outstanding report, Coastal - thanks!

Quote: Coastal

...For example, I received the tiles: 4(high), 7, 8(high), 10(low). I played 1 - 8...a teen pair with 9, 8. Which I split to Gong-Wong....

I think by and large you make 0/9 0/8 0/7 and I guess 0/Gong, 1/9 and 1/8. The idea is if the dealer hasn't got a pair or Hi9+ then they tends to make the best lo hand, so your best chance is to try and win the high hand; 7,8 or 9 will win to make a standoff.

One exception is with Hi8 and 9, you play Pair Hi7.

I think the non-obvious plays are making 0/7-9 and similar, and sometimes not making Hi9+ when you can make good 6/7 etc. I found (non Vegas) they didn't mind me using this crib sheet to set my hand (hence why I created the one on the site). Subsequently there's an advanved strategy https://wizardofodds.com/games/pai-gow-tiles/strategy/jb/advanced/ that is probably more accurate.

Coastal,

With your seven hours of Tile play and 4 sessions of Craps play....

Did you accrue any points or credits on your M life Players card?

I'm assuming you played with your card.

Love a good Tile trip report. I'm kind of shocked the MINIMUM at Harrah's was $100 at one point. Was there some kind of special event in the area?

I'm very interested in playing Tiles at Bellagio now, hearing that the dealers were so accommodating.

Quote: charliepatrick

I found (non Vegas) they didn't mind me using this crib sheet to set my hand (hence why I created the one on the site).

I like your chart. I have to admit that I don't understand the middle section with teen and day in yellow and green.

Quote: ten2win

Did you accrue any points or credits on your M life Players card?

I started out Sapphire with zero points, was Pearl by the second day, and just short of Gold on the fourth. I attribute most of that from hotel and restaurant charges though. I was definitely being awarded points for play but I didn't ask how I was being rated.

Quote: TigerWu

I'm kind of shocked the MINIMUM at Harrah's was $100 at one point. Was there some kind of special event in the area?

I was surprised too. Especially since no one was playing and Bellagio never raised theirs above $50. The World Series of Poker was going on, but other than that I don't know.

Quote: Coastal

I was surprised too. Especially since no one was playing and Bellagio never raised theirs above $50. The World Series of Poker was going on, but other than that I don't know.

I have seen Harrah's raise a table limit at the request of a high roller who doesn't want small players at a table (usually in advance or on opening a table, not having then booted). So that would be my best guess - I've never seen their tiles minimum over $50, and that only one busy night, over many years. Anyway, might have been left over from a situation like that.