Reason #1 why the Wizard likes Bovada:

Excellent customer support

The thing that separates Bovada from the rest is its customer support. Many other online gaming companies outsource their support. It can be difficult getting a response from them, and if you do it is often slow and handled by somebody with little understanding of gambling or even of English. But Bovada’s support is handled by Bovada, and their support staff is actually knowledgeable and helpful.

I’m so confident that you’ll have a good experience with Bovada that if you have a problem getting paid and you can’t resolve it with them on your own, I’ll talk to them myself. I personally have known the Bovada management for about three years and always found them to be professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. I have also personally visited one of their call centers so I could see first-hand how they handle customer issues. (More on my mediation service.)

If you have a problem with any other casino besides Bovada, I can’t help you. I get complaints from players of other online casinos every day who have difficulty getting paid. However that isn’t my job nor my problem. If you play at Bovada after clicking through my site I’ll stand behind you 100%. Any place else and you’re on your own.

Visit Bovada

Pai Gow Mania

Last Update: May 20, 2004

Pai Gow Mania

Pai Gow Mania is a Pai Gow Poker game including two side bets. I spotted the game at the Las Vegas Fitzgeralds Casino on May 19, 2004. In addition to the conventional pai gow poker rules two side bets are offered on the player's first three cards and all seven of the player's cards. The way the three card side bet was adjudicated was after the first three cards were dealt the players looked at them and had the opportunity to claim a win. Then the other four cards were dealt.

Following is the return table for the three card side bet. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 3.86%

Pai Gow Mania - Three Card Hand
HandCombinationsProbabilityPaysReturn
Natural straight flush 48 0.002049 40 to 1 0.08196
Three of a kind 58 0.002476 30 to 1 0.074276
Wild straight flush 100 0.004269 5 to 1 0.021344
Staight 1020 0.043541 4 to 1 0.174165
Flush 1308 0.055835 3 to 1 0.167506
Pair 3912 0.166994 1 to 1 0.166994
Nothing 16980 0.724836 Loss -0.724836
Total 23426 1 -0.03859

Following is the return table for the seven card side bet. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 4.48%

Pai Gow Mania - Seven Card Hand
HandCombinationsProbabilityPaysReturn
Five aces 1128 0.000007 500 to 1 0.003659
Royal flush 26132 0.00017 250 to 1 0.042383
Straight flush 184832 0.001199 50 to 1 0.059955
Four of a kind 307472 0.001995 25 to 1 0.049868
Full house 4188528 0.027173 5 to 1 0.135865
Flush 6172088 0.040041 4 to 1 0.160165
Three of a kind 7672500 0.049775 3 to 1 0.149326
Straight 12006024 0.077889 2 to 1 0.155778
Other 123584376 0.801751 Loss -0.801751
Total 154143080 1 -0.044753

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