BJ vs Craps vs Pai Gow Poker.

[TripleH68]

I often find myself on a wait list for poker, with a pager walking around the casino. Sometime I play a table game to amuse myself while waiting.

Blackjack gives me a stomach ache. I have never liked it. Perhaps as a poker player I feel like folding when I get a poor hand and it is not like you can read the dealer or anything.

Craps is a great game. I know how to play it conservatively, but it also raises my blood pressure. It does not put me in a good frame of mind for poker, especially when the mins are $15.

Recently I have been introduced to Pai Gow Poker. I find it a very relaxing, slow-moving game. While you can be dealt a lousy hand much like BJ, you rarely have to agonize over any decisions. So it does not rile me up at all.

As a poker player, which table games do you play? Or none? Any advice for me in my quest to kill time and not lose my roll before getting a seat?

If you think I should stand and observe the poker games while waiting, it just isn't an option. I can do it for a few minutes, but that's it.

[SheetWise]

Is mini-baccarat available?

[TripleH68]

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Is mini-baccarat available?

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It is available.

If I try it, just bet banker every time. That's it?

[SheetWise]

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If I try it, just bet banker every time. That's it?

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Unless you have a hunch. It's about -.01/-.012, and if you're the only one there, you can control the pace of the game. If you're playing at full speed, Pai Gow is probably cheaper -- depends on the minimums.

Actually, if they have a keno game -- that's probably the cheapest. But it sounds like you want a little faster action.

[chucksim]

I play Pai Gow mostly if in the pit. I agree with your sentiments about BJ (I get bored with it quickly) and Craps (exciting, but expensive).

PGP is slower, and though the return is worse than the above and the mins are usually higher, you push so much that you can save money and kill time there. It's my choice, at least.

[DavidSRT]

I like Pai gow, its slow moving and you can sit on a minimum buy in for a good amount of time... I play it like you just to kill time, not to make money. It is a very break even game for me... Some big wins and some big losses, usually just cash out even +/- a few bets.

[pokerstarsux]

play pai gow. but stay away from the bonus(s)! there are many variations. the biggest i have seen is a 2500-1 with a 7 card straight flush, and in Detroit a $295,000 jackpot if you get 5 aces and a pair or natural royal flush and a pair, but the bonus bet is $5.

[MCS]

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Recently I have been introduced to Pai Gow Poker. I find it a very relaxing, slow-moving game. While you can be dealt a lousy hand much like BJ, you rarely have to agonize over any decisions.

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And if you do need to agonize, you can ask the dealer! Pai gow is the king of gambling to get drinks. Slow and low-variance. Also, the people playing it are generally pretty pleasant in my experience.

[mingorama]

Video poker is a nice way to pass the time, and easy to leave when your name is called for poker. I find it impossible to leave a blackjack game, and even harder to leave a craps table if I'm on a streak.

[Lottery Larry]

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and even harder to leave a craps table if I'm on a streak.

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why would you EVER even CONSIDER this?!?