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Gaming Entertainment, the company behind Mini Pai Gow, contests the accuracy of my analysis. They specifically pointed out that I overestimate the likelihood of a tie. I want to emphasize that I could be mistaken about any information found on this site. Analyzing casino games is a complex task, often stretching to thousands of lines of code, and even a minor error can lead to completely incorrect conclusions. My own Mini Pai Gow program consists of 1,050 lines. While I strive to compare my findings with other analyses, there is limited public data regarding Mini Pai Gow. My request for their internal mathematical report was declined. Therefore, it's wise to approach my analysis with caution.

Wizard Blog

Mini Pai Gow is a variant of pai gow poker that uses six cards rather than the usual seven. In Las Vegas, you can mainly find it at properties owned by Harrah's. The game does not impose a 5% commission on winnings, but the banker usually wins most ties, which are frequent due to the one-card low hand. Each round has clear strategies, and numerous ties, resulting in a slower gameplay pace. For those seeking a straightforward game with minimal risk, Mini Pai Gow can offer a pleasant experience. My analysis indicates a house edge of 2.64%, which is lower than many newer games.

Glossary

1. This game utilizes a single deck of 53 cards, which includes the regular 52 cards plus one joker.
2. The joker serves a dual purpose: it can complete a straight, flush, straight flush, or royal flush; otherwise, it functions as an ace.
3. Once players place their bets, both the player and the dealer are dealt six cards each.
4. Players need to arrange their six cards into one five-card high hand and one single-card low hand, ensuring that the high hand has a higher poker value than the low hand.
5. After the player organizes their hand, the dealer will set their cards according to the designated house rules.
6. The player’s high hand is compared against the dealer’s high hand, with the higher poker value winning; this also applies to the player’s low hand against the dealer’s low hand.
7. If the player wins both hands, their bet earns an even payout. If they lose both, their bet is forfeited. In cases where one hand wins and the other loses, the bet results in a push.
8. When both the player and dealer have matching hands, the dealer wins by default, with two notable exceptions outlined below.
   • If the player utilizes the joker as an ace in their low hand, it will triumph over a dealer's ace in the low hand.
   • In all other ace/ace ties, including scenarios where a player's ace faces a dealer’s joker, the round results in a push, and the outcome of the bet is determined solely by the five-card hands.
9. The House Edge

Kelly Criterion

The dealer is mandated to construct the highest possible poker hand (e.g., royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, etc.) for their high hand. If a particular hand can be arranged in multiple ways, the dealer will choose the configuration that maximizes their low hand. For example, with the cards JJJQQQ, the dealer can create two distinct full houses, QQQJJ and JJJQQ. The dealer will opt for JJJQQ, boosting the low hand with a queen. If the dealer's best high hand is ace high or lower, they will then select the second highest single card for their low hand.

Gaining insight into the house rules required considerable time and effort communicating with dealers. However, I acknowledge I may still have some inaccuracies. Should there be any errors in my explanation, I'd appreciate corrections.

Loss Rebates

The dealer's operational guidelines are typically accurate most of the time. One likely exception arises when a player has the option to form two distinct hands, both straight or better; in such cases, the player should select the arrangement that produces the highest low hand. For instance, with 4h, 5h, 6s, 7h, 8h, Ah, the house would likely opt for flush/6, but I believe straight/ace might prove more beneficial.

Newsletters

The table below displays various results from a random simulation where both the player and dealer adhered to the established house methods.

The subsequent table encapsulates findings from the same computer simulation. The bottom right cell indicates a house edge of 2.64%, presuming the player follows the prescribed house strategy. I have not delved into optimal play, but I suspect any improvements would be marginal.

Keno

The following table outlines the payout structure for the side bet at O'Sheas casino during my visit in November 2007. It pays based on the best possible five-card hand a player can achieve, regardless of how they organize their high hand.

The bottom right cell displays a house edge of 7.38% associated with the side bet.

Optimal Pair-Splitting Strategies Miscellaneous