One night last weekend, I ate a quail egg and pork belly on a brioche bun before destroying some duck confit poutine tater tots at Rx Boiler Room at Mandalay Bay. After dinner, my friend and I headed to the main casino bar at Mandalay Bay where we played video poker before the night started to get blurry. Details aside, we had a blast. However, it was different.
When I first started visiting Las Vegas, most of the time would be spent at the tables drinking whatever while gambling on any game I would find. Depending on my mood I’d play Blackjack, Three-Card Poker, Craps, Let It Ride and even Roulette. With the exception of a steak dinner, I'd usually eat whatever was quick so I could get back to the fun in the casino.
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That changed over the years between new rules for the games and understanding how the house edge effected how long I could play. Gambling on the Vegas Strip isn’t what it used to be and I’ve adjusted how I spend my money. Bars and restaurants probably get more of my attention – and money - than the casinos. It often feel as though my money is better spent in restaurants and bars, even if they're priced higher than they probably should be.
Most of my gambling today takes place off the strip or Downtown Las Vegas. The rules and paytables are better and the gambling dollar lasts longer. Sure, you can ride a hot streak and win some money with good or bad odds but the better the odds the longer the experience. More gambling = more fun in my book.
In an effort to extend my gambling dollars on the Vegas Strip, I’ve started playing more Pai Gow Poker than any other game. Money often lasts longer as the player has to lose two hands against the dealer to lose a wager. If the player wins one hand and loses one hand the game is a push. If the player wins the game when they win both hands.
Altogether, the house edge in Pai Gow Poker is 1.46 percent, which is among the lowest in the casino. The house edge on the fortune side bet is 7.7 percent. That’s bad, but probably less than the last parlay wagers. Casinos on the Vegas Strip can offer this game because winning hands pay a 5 percent commission since the house edge is so low. If you're a bargain hunter, you may be able to find commission-free Pai Gow off the Vegas Strip.
When playing at a full table, it takes a while for the dealer to look at all of the hands and that helps stretch the time. When I first started playing Pai Gow, it was purely so my money could last longer and I could drink more. Today, I just like to play Pai Gow because it’s fun, social and the money goes longer.
Pai Gow Poker is so entrenched in my gambling life that I've made specific outings dedicated to the game. You can go out to an off-strip casino and play Pai Gow Poker for $5 per wager. A small bankroll will last all night and you can enjoy booze and laughs with friends for hours. Ahhhh... there are few memories in Vegas better than those low-rollin' Pai Gow nights.
Pai Gow Poker appears complex at first but once you learn how to play, the game is fairly simple. Pai Gow Poker is a social game where the dealer can openly offer you help on every hand.
The man made the system work against me, so I found a way to make it work for me. Practice some Pai Gow Poker online before your next trip to Vegas. It's a fun game and a good way to extend your bankroll in Vegas.
