Pai Gow Poker: No-Push Pai Gow

Last Update: Aug 01, 2001

No Push Pai Gow Poker is a pai gow poker variation I have seen at the Palace Station in Las Vegas. The rules are the same as pai gow poker with these exceptions.

• The dealer is always the banker.
• No 5% commission. If the player wins both hands it truly pays even money.
• After seven hands are dealt, including a dragon hand, there are still four cards left over. The dealer will take the next one and put in a marked area on the table for the players. The next card will likewise be placed in an area for the banker. Both cards are placed face down. These cards will be turned over after the dealer has set his hand.
• In the event of a push the player and dealer cards shall be used to break the tie. If the player's card is greater than the banker's card then the player wins. If the banker's card is equal or greater than the player's card then the banker wins. In the tiebreaker the joker counts as an ace.

To analyze this game I used the following probabilities, which I determined by random simulation assuming both player and banker used the Trump Plaza house way.

The probability of a tie between the player and banker cards is (48/53)*(3/52)+(5/53)*(4/52)=0.05950. If the game goes to the extra cards, which is does 41.47% of the time, then the player's expected value is -0.05950. The overall expected value of the game is 0.2855*1 + 0.4147*-0.05950 + .2998*-1 = -0.03898. So the house edge is about 3.90%. The player may be able to cut the house edge down marginally by assuming a more aggressive strategy in setting his cards, trying to avoid pushes. Although I didn't study this directly I speculate the effect strategy variation is very small.

The house edge in regular pai gow poker as the player is 2.85%. So even if you never bank the conventional game still has a lower house edge. The difference increases according to the player's willingness to bank. If you're bored with all the pushes of conventional pai gow poker then you may find new excitement in this game. However if you want to lose less money stick with the conventional pai gow poker.

My Pai Gow Poker coverage Rules, strategy, & house edge Dealer Probabilities:Shows the probability the dealer will form any given hand orless. Useful for making accurate strategy decisions. When to split a two-pair:My advice on when to split a two pair. Side Bets: Analysis of variouis side bets such as Fortune, Jackpot, and Emperor's Challenge. No Push Pai Gow Poker:My analysis of this PGP variant. Pai Gow Mania:My analysis. Washington State pai gow poker: In Washington often there is no commission charged if the player makes the Fortune bet. I address this rule variant in my "Ask the Wizard" column. New game. Play my new and improved Pai Gow Poker game. Old game. Play my classic old Pai Gow Poker game.

House Way for... Bally's (Atlantic City) Barona (San Diego) British Columbia (Canada) Canterbury Park (Minnesota) Claridge (Atlantic City) Four Queens (Las Vegas) Flamingo Hilton (Las Vegas) Golden Nugget (Las Vegas) Texas Station (Las Vegas) Trump Plaza (Atlantic City) Santa Ana Star (New Mexico)