J.B. Easy Strategy for Pai Gow

Introduction

Follow the first rule that applies:

1. If there is only one way to play, play it. This includes playing two pairs.

   ---

2. Pair of 4's, 10's, 11's — never split.
3. Gee Joon — only split with 6-4, 6-5, 6-6.
4. Pair of 2's or 12's — Only split with 9-11, or to make 6-8 or better.
5. Pair of 5's — only split with 2-12.
6. Pair of 6's — split all 6's with 2-11, 2-12, 11-12.
7. Pair of 7's — split to make 7/7 or better.
8. Pair of 8's — split to make 8/8 or better, and with 9-11.
9. Pair of 9's — split to make 9/9 or better.

   ---

10. Play Gong or Wong with a low hand of 0 or 1.
11. Play a Low 8 Gong if the low hand is worth 2, 3, 7, or 8 points.
12. Play 5/7, 6/7, or 7/7 if you have a 2 or 12.
13. Play High Nine.
14. Play all other Low 8 Gong.

    ---

15. 3,4,5 points: play the best low hand.
16. 6 points: play 3/3 if possible, otherwise play the best high hand.
17. 7 points: play the best high hand
18. 8 points: play 4/4 if possible, otherwise play the best high hand.
19. 9 points: play the best high hand if it is worth 7, 8, or 9 points, otherwise play the best low hand.
20. 10, 11, 12, 14, or 16 points: play the best low hand if it is worth 5, 6, or 7 points, otherwise play the best high hand.
21. 13 or 15 points: play the best low hand.
22. 17 or more points: play the best high hand.

Printer Friendly

I also have a printer friendly version of this strategy (PDF, 24K).