Pai Gow Tiles (Chinese Dominoes) is the ancient ancestor of Pai Gow Poker. While the game looks intimidating to new players due to the complex tiles, it holds a secret: it is one of the fairest games in the casino.
Unlike Blackjack or Roulette, where the math is fixed against you, Pai Gow Tiles allows you to be the “Banker.” When you bank, you win on “Copy” hands (ties), which statistically flips the odds in your favor. Use our free Pai Gow Tiles Calculator to analyze the massive difference between playing as a “Player” vs. a “Banker.”
How to Use the Pai Gow Tiles Calculator
This tool acts as a house edge calculator specifically calibrated for the math of tiles (32 dominoes).
- Select Banking Frequency:
- Never Bank: You play only against the dealer. The house edge is ~2.37%.
- Bank 50% (Alternate): You take the bank every other hand (common in 1-on-1 games). This cuts the edge to ~1.1%.
- Bank Aggressively: If you are at a table where other players decline to bank, you can bank more often, reducing the edge further.
- Enter Bet & Speed: Tiles is a slow game. Expect 25-30 hands per hour due to the shuffling ritual (Woodpile).
Why is Banking so Powerful?
In Pai Gow Tiles, a “Push” (0-0 tie) happens when you win the High Hand but lose the Low Hand (or vice versa). This happens about 40% of the time.
However, if your hand and the Dealer’s hand have the same value (e.g., both have a “Gong” worth 7), it is called a Copy.
- If you are the Player, the Dealer wins all Copies.
- If you are the Banker, YOU win all Copies.
This “Copy” advantage is worth significantly more than the 5% commission you pay on wins. By banking often, you can play a game with almost 0% House Edge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Pai Gow Tiles better than Pai Gow Poker?
Mathematically, yes. The standard house edge in Pai Gow Poker is around 2.7%. In Pai Gow Tiles, if you bank frequently, the edge is closer to 1.1% or even lower. The game is also slower, which protects your bankroll.
What is the “House Way”?
The House Way is the set of fixed rules the dealer uses to arrange their tiles. To keep the house edge low, you should learn to set your tiles as close to the House Way as possible (or ask the dealer to set them for you—”House Way, please”).
How is commission calculated?
Just like in the poker version, the casino charges a 5% commission on all winning hands. If you bet $100 and win, you receive $95 profit. Our calculator automatically deducts this from your expected hourly result.