It takes way too long to explain this game, and no one would read it, so I will make this simple: If anyone has been to Las Vegas recently and played this table game, why does it seem to me that if you don't make the side bets and don't fold any hand (always triple your bet) that the player has the edge here and will win in the long run.

If no one else has played this game then never mind, or I will post a description of the game if anyone actually cares.

I care exact information Ill tell you why the house has the edge

Game is played just like Hold'Em. Each player gets their own two down cards and the board of 5 cards is dealt, the best 5 card hand wins. You must beat the dealer to win your bet paid at 1-1.

You must place a bet on the blind/ante to get two cards, then if you want to play your hand you triple your blind/ante bet (this is what gets paid at 1-1). Then the dealer flips his hand and it must qualify (two cards totalling 11 or more, or any pair, aces are 11) or he folds and pays 1-1 on the ante bet (not the triple bet, you get that back). If the dealer qualifies the board is dealt and if you have the dealer beat he pays your 4 bets at 1-1, or if he has you beat he takes your bets.

There are two side bets you can make before you get your hand, one is a bet on your hole cards (suited cards 1-1, 22-66 2-1, 77-TT 3-1, JJ-KK 4-1, AA or AKs 20-1, red aces 25-1), and on your final hand (trips (2-1) or better progressing to royal flush (400-1)). This is where I think the house take the edge as 400-1 on a royal flush which is about 10,000-1 are horrible odds.

If you don't make the side bets and always triple your bet (don't fold) then you should beat the dealer 50% of the time in the long run, except for the times he folds, and you win 1 bet.

If the dealer folds the worst hands, it takes away the advantage from you when you are a 60% or better favorite, but when you both have junk you win no matter what comes on the board.

I know the house takes the edge on the side bets, but if you don't make those then wouldn't the player win in the long run?

P.S. Dealer folds on 8-2, 7-3, 7-2, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2, 5-4, 5-3, 5-2, 4-3, 4-2, 3-2.

EDIT: Of course I was making the side bets because I was looking to get lucky and win big, but this is a theoretical question.

The house only loses 1bet on their shitty hands; you lose 4

Originally Posted by triple-t

Best case scenario is to play the same way the house does... House has 2.1% edge.

Surely if you and the house play exactly the same then no one has an edge?

And no one was really playing the game but it is a slow game which takes up a bit of time with the chance to win a few big side bets, so I was enjoying it.