Pai Gow Tiles game icon

Tile Game

Pai Gow Tiles Casinos

The original Pai Gow game -- 32 Chinese dominoes, four tiles per hand, and a banking rotation that dates back centuries.

54 US venues offer pai gow tiles.

House Edge
~1.8% with optimal play
RTP
~98.2%
Typical Min Bet
$10 to $50
Pace
Slow
Category
Tile Game
Beginner-friendly

Casino Directory

Where to play Pai Gow Tiles in the US

Showing 12 of 54 venues

Pai Gow Tiles is the original Chinese domino game that gave Pai Gow Poker its name and its split-hand mechanic. Played with 32 Chinese dominoes (tiles), each hand uses four tiles split into a front (low) and back (high) pair. The goal is to beat the banker on both pairs. The tile rankings follow a traditional system that takes time to learn, making Pai Gow Tiles one of the most culturally rich and strategically deep games in the casino. It is a staple of Asian gaming pits at larger US casinos. You'll find live tables at most major properties. See our full US casino directory for venue contact details and hours.

Pai Gow Tiles is not a card game. It uses a set of 32 Chinese dominoes, each with a specific rank and pairing within the traditional system. The tiles are divided into 11 rank levels, with the highest being the Gee Joon (2 and 4 tile pair) and the lowest being mismatched high-nine or low combinations. Learning the tile rankings is the biggest barrier to entry, but the house way card at every table makes the game playable from the first hand. Compare this to Pai Gow Poker, which uses a standard 53-card deck and is much easier to learn.

How to play Pai Gow Tiles

  1. Buy chips at the table and wait for the banker rotation. The banker may be the house or a player who covers all action.

  2. Four tiles are dealt to your position. You must arrange them into a front pair (low hand) and a back pair (high hand).

  3. The front pair must rank lower than or equal to the back pair. Mis-setting your hand is an automatic loss.

  4. Both pairs are compared against the banker pairs. Winning both pairs pays 1:1 less 5 percent commission. Winning one and losing one is a push.

  5. Copies (identical rank pairs) go to the banker. This is the main house advantage in Pai Gow Tiles.

  6. The banker rotates around the table. When it is your turn to bank, you must cover all bets at the table.

Pai Gow Tiles Rules and Payouts

Pai Gow Tiles uses 32 dominoes, each with a top and bottom half showing pips. The tiles are dealt in pairs and ranked according to a traditional Chinese system. The highest tile is the Gee Joon (2-4 pair), followed by the Teen (6-6), Day (1-1), Yun (2-2), and so on through the rank structure. Matching pairs rank higher than unmatched pairs of the same total pip count.

Each player receives four tiles and sets them into a front pair and a back pair. The front pair must be lower than or equal to the back pair. Both pairs are compared against the banker. Winning both pairs pays 1:1 minus 5 percent commission. Winning one and losing one is a push. Ties on either pair go to the banker, which is the primary house advantage. The banker rotates around the table, and the house typically banks every hand unless a player chooses to bank.

  • What is the difference between Pai Gow Tiles and Pai Gow Poker?

    Pai Gow Tiles uses 32 Chinese dominoes with a traditional ranking system. Pai Gow Poker uses a standard 53-card deck. The tile ranking system is much harder to learn than poker hands. Both games split four items into a front and back pair, but the strategy and pace are completely different.

Editorial Strategy

Strategy & etiquette for Pai Gow Tiles

  • Learn the tile rankings before you play. The 32 tiles are divided into 11 ranks, and the ranking system is not intuitive for new players.

  • Use the house way to set your hand. Most tables provide a house way card. Follow it until you learn the ranking system.

  • When you are banking, set your hand conservatively to minimize the risk of losing both pairs against multiple players.

  • The 5 percent commission on a full win is standard. Factor it into your session expectations.

  • Copies going to the banker means you need to beat the banker on both pairs to win. A tie on either pair is a loss.

  • Start with small bets. The tile ranking system takes time to learn, and mis-sets are costly.

Where to play in the US

Top land-based casinos to play Pai Gow Tiles

Editorial picks for visitors who want a real-floor Pai Gow Tiles session. Ranked by directory depth (table counts, amenities, and floor quality). Tap any card for the full property review.

  1. #1Casinos
    Editor's pick
    Foxwoods Resort Casino — nashantucket

    Foxwoods Resort Casino

    Nashantucket, Connecticut

    4,800 slots · 380 tables · 147 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value67
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 3 Card Poker
    • Baccarat
    • Bingo

    Property

    • Bar
    • Open 24 7
    • Restaurant
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  2. #2Casinos
    Mohegan Sun — uncasville

    Mohegan Sun

    Uncasville, Connecticut

    5,532 slots · 377 tables · 42 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value70
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 3 Card Poker
    • Baccarat
    • Caribbean Stud Poker

    Property

    • Golf
    • Open 24 7
    • Pool
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  3. #3Casinos
    The Borgata — atlantic city

    The Borgata

    Atlantic City, New Jersey

    3,000 slots · 186 tables · 85 poker tables · 24/7

    Selection100
    Value68
    Experience100

    Games available

    • 3 Card Poker
    • Baccarat
    • Big 6

    Property

    • Bar
    • Open 24 7
    • Pool
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Rankings reflect directory data depth (floor counts, game variety, amenity tags) re-verified quarterly. They are not a substitute for current operating status; confirm hours and game spread directly with each casino before visiting.

Pai Gow Tiles Strategy

The most important strategy is learning the tile rankings. The 11 rank levels are: Gee Joon, Teen, Day, Yun, Gor, Moone, Chong, Bon, Foo, Ping, and Look. Within each rank, certain pairs are stronger than others. The house way card shows the optimal setting for every possible four-tile combination. Follow it until you are comfortable with the ranking system.

The banking rotation adds a strategic dimension that Pai Gow Poker does not have. When you bank, you play against every other player at the table. Set your hand conservatively to reduce the risk of losing both pairs against multiple opponents. The 5 percent commission and tie-goes-to-banker rules mean the house has a consistent edge regardless of who is banking. Compared to Pai Gow Poker, the tiles version is slower, more traditional, and has a steeper learning curve.

Common Pai Gow Tiles variants

Where to Play Pai Gow Tiles

Pai Gow Tiles is found in Asian gaming pits at larger US casinos. It is most common in Las Vegas, California card rooms, and major tribal casinos with dedicated Asian game sections. It is less widely available than Pai Gow Poker but has a loyal following among players who prefer the traditional tile game.

Before you sit, verify the commission rate and whether the house way card is provided. Browse our US casino directory to find venues near you.

  • Is Pai Gow Tiles hard to learn?

    Yes. The tile ranking system has 11 rank levels and specific pairing rules that take time to memorize. The house way card makes the game playable from the start, but mastering the rankings requires study and practice. Plan to play small bets while you learn.

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