Pai Gow tiles - customs and etiquette
So I know I need to increase my accuracy and speed before I play at a table with other players. I am comfortable enough to play alone, but do not want to disrupt others. I also know I will need to ask for help setting the house way on occasion, at least the first few times. However, I know ZERO about the culture and customs of the game. I expect the other players to be of Asian decent, and I know they have certain customs they follow. I am more interested in fitting into the game with the other players or dealer. I am looking for suggestions and guidance on how to best fit in on a Pai Gow table. If it matters, I am MAWG (middle aged white guy)
What is the proper protocol to sit at a table with other players already playing?
Are there motions or other ways of respectfully greeting the other players, or will that not be appreciated? (I understand this will be generally speaking of course.)
What about interaction with the dealer?
In tiles, if I mess up and set the horizontal tiles as the low pair, is that a fouled hand?
Yeah, most of the players will be Asian, but just treat them as you would treat anyone at any other table you are at. You don't need to like bow to them or anything.
As for sitting down at a table with other players playing - same as you would at any other table.
You can set the tiles any way you want, they don't care where the low/high is. So it's not possible to foul your hand in tiles.
My only warning is that playing at a table is totally different than on the computer. Not to be funny, but there's no counter telling you what you have. And the house way differs from the optimal strategy fairly often. The good news is that the dealers will tell you what the house way is. Just wait until everyone has set their hand before you ask.
I was terrible my first time playing, and made some dumb mistakes. (Like having 2 high tiles in the high)
The second time I got rid of most of the mistakes but was still mostly playing house way.
Finally after about 4-5 times, I have close to optimal strategy down and am now comfortable setting my hand not the house way, and can handle when people make fun of me, because I know I'm right.
The problem is that pai gow table minimums are $25, so the first 2 times I played, it was an expensive lesson.
But now that I can play proficiently, I love having it as another option if I don't want to play Pai Gow Poker.
Have fun, good luck!
For the same reason as you, not wanting to violate any Asian ritual or ettiquite, I keep to myself when playing tiles. So, other than a general, "Hi", I don't say much to the other players.
I HAVE had other players try to help me set my hands, which is fine. However, I've had them try it - even before setting their own hand, which I know would violate the rules. So in those cases, I just keep the tiles close until they are done with their own hand.
After everyone sets their hand, you can ask the dealer for help.
If you just want it set house way, put your tiles down in a single stack of four.
Some casinos want the tiles "set" in a "T" shape, others don't care. Either way, you can't "foul". All they care about is which tiles are together.
I know you actually meant to say "of Asian descent" but I think your mistake is illustrative. Most players will be decent. They will not get up and leave when you approach the table. Some may expect you to be totally ignorant and slow the game down but many will surprised at your facility with the game and will not be annoyed at any constant delay or error-making. In short, it will be a bit like shooting from the Don't at Craps: a heck of a lot of talk about it but very little actual animosity about it. Its like any other casino game, you greet the dealer with a stack of bills. Same way you've done it a zillion times in Craps.Quote: RaleighCrapsI expect the other players to be of Asian decent, and I know they have certain customs they follow.
Quote: FleaStiffI know you actually meant to say "of Asian descent"
Damn spell check. ;-) When are they going to come up with a context AND spell checker?
-B
Quote: FinsRuleMy only warning is that playing at a table is totally different than on the computer. Not to be funny, but there's no counter telling you what you have. And the house way differs from the optimal strategy fairly often. The good news is that the dealers will tell you what the house way is. Just wait until everyone has set their hand before you ask.
I was terrible my first time playing, and made some dumb mistakes. (Like having 2 high tiles in the high)
I have avoided using a crutch like the counter. When the hand is dealt, I look at the options and only select the two tiles when I have the values decided in my head. After selecting the tiles, I confirm my totals are correct with the points shown on the screen. The final check is does the simulator tell me I have not played the hand the house way. So I feel pretty good that I am not fooling myself with my skill at this point. However, since I am not actually handling the tiles, I know that will be a difference.
I am messing up the high tile aspect of the game. I need a lot more work on the strength of each tile. A lot of times I will get the point totals correct, but I will have set the tiles with a weak tile that would lose in a tie. Based on your comment above, it appears this is not uncommon.
Since I am still learning, I have not ventured into the strategy deviations yet. However, I have noticed that the house way seems to usually want me to set a very high, even if it means a 1 total on the low. So I am guessing that is where some deviation occurs. Where I might set a 6/6, instead of a 1/9 (not even sure if that combo is possible. Just picking numbers from my arse.)?
3 days left to improve my game play.
Quote: SOOPOOOne major etiquette difference is in banking. I am a 'low roller', always betting either the minimum or close to it. If on pai gow cards, a player chooses to bank, I ask if they mind if I play the minimum against them, and they are virtually always happy for the action, as my bet is usually a fraction of their bet against the house. I did that in tiles once, and received stares from the other players. I saw the other players also bet, but they bet WITH the player, not against him. Next time a player banked I also bet with him, and the rest of the players all smiled for me.... I was taught the proper etiquette without a word being said. What i also found interesting was that the casino allowed the banker to pass one of his tiles to another player, and basically ask that player for a certain tile to complete his hand. If it matched the table all erupted in cheer, and if not the hand just played out hoping the dealer had a worse hand. To me , the 'cobanking' part was a huge added 'fun factor'. After a short while the table trusted me to be the banker, with often tousands bet on my decisions, even though I was only betting $25.
Thanks a lot SOOPOO! Your post has set me back to square zero, and I am once again quaking in my boots. {lol} I am completely lost trying to understand your post.
If a player is banking, it was my understanding they do not have a 'bet' up. Their bet is whatever amount the other players have up, and of course, the house has up the amount of the banker's previous bet. But this does not fit your scenario at all. Your story sounds like baccarat to me. What am I missing?
The part about passing the tile has me equally confused. If the players are playing against the banker (my understanding) obviously they would not want to help the banker improve their hand, so again, I am sure I am not understanding some fundamental aspect of this game.
Would you be able to explain the whole banking process, along with the tile passing, with a bit more detail? I don't need major detail, but I need some help.
If you have any other questions you can pm me... I must have played 30 plus hours at tiles my last trip.... I've already posted that two trips ago I played so much the Rio gave me a free set of tiles....
Quote: SOOPOOWhen a player banks, etiquette says you do not play against the banker. You receive no tiles, you have no hand. You signal the dealer that you want to bet WITH the banker. So lets say the banker is betting $500. And you signal the dealer you want to bet $25 with the banker. The dealer will put up $525. So if the banker wins, the dealer will pay the other player $500 (minus $25 commission), and you $25 (minus $1.25 commission). If the banker loses, the dealer will ask the other player for the $500, and you for the $25. Sooooo.... the way it works... the banker is given his four tiles, and he looks at 3 of them while tossing you the 4th. Lets say he has a gong and the gee joon tile... he obviously wants the other gee joon tile, so he will 'ask' you to give him that gee joon tile... of course you can only give him what you have....
If you have any other questions you can pm me... I must have played 30 plus hours at tiles my last trip.... I've already posted that two trips ago I played so much the Rio gave me a free set of tiles....
Thank you Soopoo! That was the explanation I needed!
So back to your original post, when the player banks, and let's say they were playing 100 a hand, the house will put up 100. If I was playing 50 last hand, I can signal the dealer that I want to play 100 WITH the banker this hand, and the house will now put up $200 against the banker? That is pretty cool.
Quote: RaleighCrapsThank you Soopoo! That was the explanation I needed!
So back to your original post, when the player banks, and let's say they were playing 100 a hand, the house will put up 100. If I was playing 50 last hand, I can signal the dealer that I want to play 100 WITH the banker this hand, and the house will now put up $200 against the banker? That is pretty cool.
You can only bank for what your last bet was + ~ 5%. In other words if your last bet was $100, you can bank for up to $105 (prepaying commission). Bank every opportunity you can get!!
Their is some superstition surrounding banking.
Some view it as something that should only be done to disrupt a run of dealer good luck.
Most Chinese players will not bet against a player/ banker out of superstition and etiquette.
I am fine with this and have seen them bet on the player/ banker's hand instead of betting on the house hand.
I refuse to submit to the other superstition regarding banking as often as possible.
I have even learned how to name the different woodpile cuts and how to name my hand values in Cantonese.
This has increased my esoteric knowledge of the game, and endears me to the Chinese/Asian players.
http://www.wikihow.com/Count-from-1-to-10-in-Cantonese
Simple. Buy a set of tiles. This set is $35, about one bet.
I've been doing the same as you; playing using a simulator, checking my results. But there's no substitute for handling the tiles themselves. The learning is easier. While watching TV I pick up a couple tiles, name them, and value them. I pick up 4 tiles, name them, and set them.
What I've had trouble with so far is seeing that some 7s are chop pairs and some aren't, why no 6s are chop pairs, stuff like that. I understand why (the 2/4 is a gee and the paired chongs make a long) but seeing that with the tiles in front of me, I'm not confident enough yet to put money behind it. And the ranking of the tiles isn't second nature yet. This book has been very helpful in memorizing that, giving a very useful mnemonic that took about 10 minutes to store. The book and the tiles together is $60, and I'm sure that will be recouped in not making at least one bad play in the casino, some time in the future.
This is a cheaper set on amazon, its the one I have. I think the case is crappier than the one Mosca posted, but I believe the tiles are the same.
It has an excellent section where he graphically shows the different ways to form each hand value.
The strategy follows the house way for the most part and is not as optimized as the strategies on the wizardofodds.com.
I have been using an amalgamation of the strategies found there with fair success at the tables.
I have had three winning sessions this month so far.
Quote: dlevinelawhttp://www.amazon.com/Pai-Gow-Chinese-Dominoes-Tile/dp/B002PLCK4Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1329322010&sr=1-1
This is a cheaper set on amazon, its the one I have. I think the case is crappier than the one Mosca posted, but I believe the tiles are the same.
Haha, if I'd have seen that... Amazon got me!
WongBo, I'm using the book for learning the tiles. For strategy, I set obvious hands the obvious way, and I try to set weak hands for the highest low (ie, balanced), unless I can make a 7, 8, or 9 in the high.
Do you guys know which set on amazon is closest to the regulation size in use at most casinos?
Quote: WongBoMy friend bought a set on amazon, but the tiles are thicker and narrower than the ones in use at most casinos.
Do you guys know which set on amazon is closest to the regulation size in use at most casinos?
I can't say about other casinos, but the ones I got are exactly the same used at my local casino, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs.
As has been discussed in other threads, there is no regulation for the size or material of PG tiles.Quote: WongBoDo you guys know which set on amazon is closest to the regulation size in use at most casinos?
For that matter, there's no "regulation" for the size or material used to make dice, cards or anything else.
The only "regulation" being that the produce random results.
The set he has is thicker and harder to stack.
I don't have dimensions of his set or the set I am looking for
but I guess I could figure out a way to get measurements next time I play.
My experience has been shock when I first sit down, but after a couple hands, I'm accepted and sometimes at the right table, we have fun. I rarely see any other white players sit down, but again, I mostly play at HSI. In Atlantic City, it comes as even more of a shock, and most of the time, the dealer asks if I know how to play the game.
I don't know if my experiences are entirely fair though... as I've stated in other posts, I have a tendency to attract Asian players to my table. It doesn't matter what game, I am a magnet for other players. But have fun playing Tiles... unless you are invading a family's game, you'll probably be welcomed.
Quote: MoscaGordy,
Simple. Buy a set of tiles. This set is $35, about one bet.
What I've had trouble with so far is seeing that some 7s are chop pairs and some aren't, why no 6s are chop pairs, stuff like that. I understand why (the 2/4 is a gee and the paired chongs make a long) but seeing that with the tiles in front of me, I'm not confident enough yet to put money behind it. And the ranking of the tiles isn't second nature yet.
WELL, this would imply at least some level of planning is involved. Of course, this is not the case. I leave Saturday for a 4 day trip, and I decided at 9:00 PM last night I wanted to add tiles to my possible game list. And Mosca, since you have seen my luck with Pai Gow poker cards in person, I think you can see why I am not planning on that game to steal me away from craps, although I may log some time on it! However, last trip to Beau the table was impossible to get on for hours at a time. I am hoping the tiles game, if found, will be mostly empty.
So buying the tiles does seem like a great idea, but getting them before I leave on Saturday is not going to happen. I'm not even sure I will be able to find tiles in Biloxi, although Grand does have a special Asian Room, and they do list Pai Gow as one of the games. IP does not have a special room, but they also list Pai Gow. Whether or not they are incorrectly listing Pai Gow Poker as Pai Gow will remain to be seen.
I found a post from PappaChubby talking about how to teach a beginner in just a few hours. It was very helpful, especially the part about a Gong and Wong, really just being a 'real' 10 and 11 value, ie higher ranking than a 9 set.
Tonight I plan on working more on the unmatched pairs, and hope to be able to get into some of the easier strategy lessons.
I am sort of hoping I find an empty table, and will bank every other play, just using the house set if I have to. I would love to have your experience of an empty table, and a dealer who takes the time to explain the various possible moves. I also picked up in one of the posts that the average dealer hand is a 5/9, so that will help some in the decision process.
What is the CORRECT terminology?
When the dealer gives me 4 tiles, is this called a hand or something else ?
When I set two tiles vertically, what is that called, Lo hand or ?
Is it the same name for the two tiles I set horizontally?
By the way, i agree with you an banking every other, I do it whenever I can... no amount of superstition is worth giving up the winning on copy hands....
Front hand and back hand. Low is front, high is back. I watched for about 20 minutes at a table here, but it was the player who was helpful. He was a young guy, mid to late 20s, long hair. A college math type, very friendly. He was pleased that I was learning the game, and happy to help. He got his tiles, then asked me to name them and what I thought should be done. I had it right about 80% of the time.
Yes, your luck at Pai Gow Poker is... astonishing!
Edited to add: The difference between playing on the computer and holding the tiles is, playing on the computer, you can learn the strategies. But holding and touching the tiles, you almost instantly understand the game. You can see into it.
I know, you're leaving in a few days. We're going to be in Hammond IN Friday morning, I might give the tiles a whirl. I might not... but I might.
Quote: SOOPOOYikes , RC. I didnt realize how 'newbie' you were. Saying 'the average dealer hand is 5/9, and using that to make strategic decisions is like saying the average blackjack dealer hand is 18.5, so I'll hit to beat that total..... It is CRUCIAL to not miss any mixed pairs, as playing them usually makes a winning hand, and missing them usually makes a losing hand. Also, a 'newbie' mistake is forgetting that the 1 - 3 tile (gor) is a strong tile in rank. Another 'newbie' error is playing the gee joon tiles together when you have a 4,6 or 5, 6 or 6,6. Do not worry about which two tiles are angled which way, it doesnt matter, the dealer will always put them the angle they want. If you ever make the trip up to Buffalo I'd sit with you... our Canadian casinos have tons of tiles tables...
By the way, i agree with you an banking every other, I do it whenever I can... no amount of superstition is worth giving up the winning on copy hands....
Yes Soopoo, I am very much the definition of noob on tiles. OTOH, I am a fairly quick study, and the basics of the game has proven much easier to pick up then I would have thought coming into this. The Wiz has such awesome tools on his Wizardofodds website, it makes learning the game RIGHT a walk in the park. And the help one can receive from this forum is a great supplement. Everyone posting here has been a big help.
I feel good that I have a handle on the mixed pairs, since there are only 4 of them (5,L7,L8,9). I have been testing myself with Wiz's game, and after deciding on my play, checking my decision by plugging my tiles into Wiz's Analyzer. I am still not getting the optimal play correct enough when I have a choice of x/9 or 5/6 .6/6, etc., so I need to work on that, but I have a few days to get that nailed down.
I am sure I am missing the rank of the 1-3 (gor). I appreciate the tip. I am putting focus now on the tile ranks. Somebody said it was not critical, but I seem to be losing a lot of ties on the simulator to a higher tile, so I'm thinking it is important............
Quote: Mosca...
Yes, your luck at Pai Gow Poker is... astonishing!
Mosca,
You will be heartened to know that my last 3 Pai Gow Poker sessions have all ended slightly positive, although the term session is pretty loose, since I don't think any of them lasted more than 30 minutes. I just get so bored.
The back story for the above comment is Mosca and I met at Mohegan Sun and I managed to lose I think about 10 of 14 Pai Gow Poker hands, with the other 4 being a Push. I believe I may be a contender for "Fastest $400 ever lost at Pai Gow Poker by a $40 bettor".
But, i am expecting better things from the tiles game. After all, there are NO CARDS, and I am dealing with material that has PIPs, just like my craps dice do. :-)
I recall you getting pai gow'd, and losing to a higher dealer pai gow.
Quote: RaleighCraps
WELL, this would imply at least some level of planning is involved. Of course, this is not the case. I leave Saturday for a 4 day trip, and I decided at 9:00 PM last night I wanted to add tiles to my possible game list. And Mosca, since you have seen my luck with Pai Gow poker cards in person, I think you can see why I am not planning on that game to steal me away from craps, although I may log some time on it! However, last trip to Beau the table was impossible to get on for hours at a time. I am hoping the tiles game, if found, will be mostly empty. So buying the tiles does seem like a great idea, but getting them before I leave on Saturday is not going to happen. I'm not even sure I will be able to find tiles in Biloxi, although Grand does have a special Asian Room, and they do list Pai Gow as one of the games. IP does not have a special room, but they also list Pai Gow. Whether or not they are incorrectly listing Pai Gow Poker as Pai Gow will remain to be seen.
I didn't think they had tiles in MS, but I've never been down to Biloxi, so I couldn't say. However, I did just check the "Table Game Finder" on Caesars website, and it lists FORTUNE PAI GOW, but not PAI GOW TILES. If you see Horseshoe Hammond or HSI, they list BOTH Fortune Pai Gow and Pai Gow Tiles, so I don't think they offer it. But a report would be great, b/c I'm thinking of going down there next month.
Quote: TiltpoulI didn't think they had tiles in MS, but I've never been down to Biloxi, so I couldn't say. However, I did just check the "Table Game Finder" on Caesars website, and it lists FORTUNE PAI GOW, but not PAI GOW TILES. If you see Horseshoe Hammond or HSI, they list BOTH Fortune Pai Gow and Pai Gow Tiles, so I don't think they offer it. But a report would be great, b/c I'm thinking of going down there next month.
I will let you know. For sure I will be checking out Beau Rivage because they are providing the trip. I will be going to the Grand to keep my CET points alive, and for sure the IP, since they have a Hot Shot slots that my wife loves. We may try a jaunt to the Hard Rock next door to Beau, but it is very smoky in there, so not sure.
Quote: SOOPOOYikes , RC. I didnt realize how 'newbie' you were. Saying 'the average dealer hand is 5/9, and using that to make strategic decisions is like saying the average blackjack dealer hand is 18.5, so I'll hit to beat that total.....
SOOPOO,
The 5/9 advice came from me, and I find it to be very useful in terms of strategy. It is almost always better to set both hands above average, than to set one hand way above average and one below average. It is almost always better to set a weak hand with one half being average or better, than to set both hands below average.
If you can make a 6/wong or a 3/pair, you should make the 6/wong because both hands are better than average.
If you can only make a 3/7 or a 5/5, you make the 5/5 because at least your low hand is average.
This certainly doesn't cover all the strategy decisions, but it covers a lot of them with a single basic concept, rather than 5 different rules with 12 exceptions.
The next step is understanding that these are not only averages, but are also the maxima of the bell curve probability distributions. The goal is to maximize your area under the curve, and hands around the average is where you get the most "bang for the buck". So if you can rearrange your hand to make an "average" hand a little better (e.g. improving the low hand from a 4 to a 5), at the expense of making a very good or very bad hand a bit worse (e.g. degrading the high hand from a 7 to a 6), this will increase your overall return.
Quote: PapaChubbyThe 5/9 advice came from me, and I find it to be very useful in terms of strategy. It is almost always better to set both hands above average, than to set one hand way above average and one below average. It is almost always better to set a weak hand with one half being average or better, than to set both hands below average...... So if you can rearrange your hand to make an "average" hand a little better (e.g. improving the low hand from a 4 to a 5), at the expense of making a very good or very bad hand a bit worse (e.g. degrading the high hand from a 7 to a 6), this will increase your overall return.
PapaChubby,
Thanks for weighing in. I had understood the concept you were implying when I read that statement, but when I tried to explain it in a response, I couldn't make it clear enough and never posted my reply.
Quote: RaleighCrapsPapaChubby,
Thanks for weighing in. I had understood the concept you were implying when I read that statement, but when I tried to explain it in a response, I couldn't make it clear enough and never posted my reply.
Hope you enjoy your venture into Pai Gow Tiles.
I'm going to reinforce what several others have said, based on my own experience: I can't explain why, but using actual tiles seems like a completely different experience than playing on the computer. Despite the experience and confidence that I gained practicing on the WoO site, I got kind of freaked out during my first experience at a casino. For some reason my brain just didn't process the information the same way, and combinations which were obvious to me on the computer were elusive with actual tiles. Maybe you will not experience this. But if you do, there's no need to worry. Get a set of tiles and practice. Draw four tiles at random, and "deal" them to yourself in the same fashion that the casino dealer does, two stacks of two, side-by-side. Find the method of handling and examining the tiles which is comfortable for you. I developed my own system that involves immediately examining two tiles, then slowly exposing the third and then the fourth. Since you read my earlier tutorial, you know that this is the way I recommend for newcomers so as not to be overwhelmed by all the possibilities of four tiles at once. It still works for those of us with experience, plus I think it adds to the fun (similar to the fourth tile in the co-banking situation which was discussed earlier in this thread).
Practicing setting hands is not only fun, I'm convinced that it is a bit addictive.
Many of the Chinese players prefer to play by feeling the underside of the tiles to determine the tile without looking at it.
The Wizard discussed this method on his wizardofmacau.com site.
Many players like to look at the tiles individually and then play from memory of which tile is which.
Some will look at only two at a time and mix them and look again at two, thus determining their four possible pairings.
Some will look at all four tiles, two in each hand, and some will pick up all four together in one hand.
Some willl stand them on the long edge and rearrange them to determine the play.
You get the idea, there are many methods people use to make the game more challenging and entertaining.
As a beginner, I would recommend you look at all four together and rearrange them as necessary to determine your options.
Saying the values of each tile to yourself at first can help you to avoid missing unmatched pairs.
Have fun and good luck!
Quote: WongBoYou will see many different methods employed by longtime players of the game.
Many of the Chinese players prefer to play by feeling the underside of the tiles to determine the tile without looking at it.
The Wizard discussed this method on his wizardofmacau.com site.
Many players like to look at the tiles individually and then play from memory of which tile is which.
Some will look at only two at a time and mix them and look again at two, thus determining their four possible pairings.
Some will look at all four tiles, two in each hand, and some will pick up all four together in one hand.
Some willl stand them on the long edge and rearrange them to determine the play.
You get the idea, there are many methods people use to make the game more challenging and entertaining.
As a beginner, I would recommend you look at all four together and rearrange them as necessary to determine your options.
Saying the values of each tile to yourself at first can help you to avoid missing unmatched pairs.
Have fun and good luck!
You and Papachubby seem to be in my head! I fully agree that having a set of tiles would be ideal, but that is not going to happen before I go this weekend. Thank you PC for your experience with the tiles the first time. That is sort of what I am expecting, which is why I am practicing looking at a hand, and getting all of the possible values down cold. I know the real tiles are going to mess with me. I am getting much better. Played for an hour tonight without a mistake. I am still struggling with the middle rankings though. While I calculated the hands correctly, I chose to play a strong 4 / weaker 5 , rather than the strong 5 / weaker 4. Basically, if my hi was less than 7, I would try to make a strong low hand instead. Most of these plays worked to my advantage in the game, but when I check it against the analyzer it says I am playing it wrong, so I still need to work on that. I did manage to take the game's $1k starting br up to $8,365, so that gives me some encouragement.
WongBo you are right on the money. I have been saying the value of each tile to help me visualize the values and totals. That is helping a lot.
Here is the technique I am using now. I would appreciate any comments, especially if you see any problems with what I am doing:
I look at all 4 tiles, and immediately check for pairs, and unmatched pairs.
Next, I check for gee/joon tiles and the 2/12 tiles. I learned I have to do this as a separate check because I was missing them when I tried to do it as part of the calculation step.
Once I have identified if I have pairs or wilds, then I visualize the pip value of each tile, ie. 4, 6,7,9.
Now I do the 3 possible combos in my head, and I see I have in the above hand, a 0/6 , 1/5, and a 3/3. With this combo, I would go with the 3/3. I just checked this with the analyzer, and that was the right play, so I am pleased.
The problem is, this is taking me 20 to 40 seconds to complete my analysis. I suspect this is too long. If there is a gee/joon tile in there, I have to run through the 3 and 6 possibilities, and that pushes the 40 second range. I know this will improve with time, but add in some nervousness, and the distraction of a casino, and it is going to be interesting.
What is the average time most people take to set their hands?
After all this work, I sure hope I can find a tile game in Biloxi. ;-)
As you learn the intricacies of the strategy you will need to also analyze the strength of each pairing.
The tile rankings play an important role in valuation.
You want to strengthen whichever hand you are maximizing.
A good example is when forming a high nine, gong, or wong,
use the teen (high two) instead of the day (low two) to make it a higher ranked hand.
You would be surprised how many hands of the same value get determined by tile rank.
In my experience, the average setting is about ten seconds.
I think if you take fifteen or twenty you would still be alright.
Some players take a long time because of their methodology, and some take a long time because they are new.
As long as you are not too slow, you should be fine.
I would rather aggravate a few people I may never see again than lose $25 because I was rushed.
You can always ask the dealer the house way after all other hands at the table are set.
This isn't always the optimal play, but the house way is best more than 80% of the time.
Other players will often offer their suggestions after their hands are set.
According to another gambling site inferior to this one, which shall remain nameless,
Beau Rivage has one table, Isle of Capri has one table.
Call ahead for hours of operation.
Good luck!
祝你好運 (jūk néih hóuwahn)
Quote: WongBoAccording to another gambling site inferior to this one, which shall remain nameless,
Beau Rivage has one table, Isle of Capri has one table.
Thanks for the info. I've been to Biloxi 6 times now and have yet to step in the Isle of Capri or Boomtown, but perhaps the search of a Tiles game may change that.
And again, thank you to everyone who has offered advice to the noob wanna be Pai Gow player. Hopefully your efforts will make my endeavor a successful one.
Quote: SOOPOOI'd say the average time is 5 seconds. Most hands are 'instantaneous', and its a rare hand that requires deep thought. This is of course once you have your own personal 'house ways' wired into your brain....
Five seconds is crazy. I have never seen any player set their tiles within 5 seconds. I'd say 10 seconds is minimum, with 20-30 seconds being typical. Not dissimilar to Pai Gow Poker, if you've ever played that. Maybe a little longer.
Quote: SOOPOOPapa- I'm not saying players all DO set their tiles that quickly... what I meant was that the decision can be made in less than 5 seconds on the great majority of hands. I'd take a challenge that I could decide how to set 95% of my hands in less than 5 seconds, without error. Some players who COULD do the same, choose to massage the tiles first, then turn one over, then carress the next one, then pray for the third one, then beg for the fourth one, then curse, then set them......
This description seems to be how I will probably be viewed.............. ;-)
The players who are there will be somewhat indulgent when / if you tell them you are a new player.
You may slow the game down a little, but casinos love new players.
They play imperfectly and have bankrolls that haven't been exposed to the house's edge.
Just relax and have a good time. It will all work out.
Quote: SOOPOOPapa- I'm not saying players all DO set their tiles that quickly... what I meant was that the decision can be made in less than 5 seconds on the great majority of hands. I'd take a challenge that I could decide how to set 95% of my hands in less than 5 seconds, without error. Some players who COULD do the same, choose to massage the tiles first, then turn one over, then carress the next one, then pray for the third one, then beg for the fourth one, then curse, then set them......
Exactly. You forgot about rubbing the tile really hard on the felt in order to change its spots!
Sadly, there does not appear to be a tiles game in Biloxi, MS. The Beau Rivage used to have one table, but it was hardly played, and another dealer told me that there wasn't any floors left who had experience in the game.
I also checked at the IP, and Harrah's Grand.
I did not check Hard Rock, Palace, or Isle of Capri although I did have locals tell me that the game does not exist in any of those casinos.
