While in Vegas, I decided that I've give my hand at some games I haven't played. First, I figured I would try Pai Gow Poker. This game has some differences from more traditional poker games, but it's easy to pick up. Basically, the goal is to make two hands from 7 cards (one 5 cards called high hand, the other 2 cards called low hand) that beat the banks hand. There are some more suttle differences though, such as on absolute ties the bank always wins. Also, the A, 2, 3, 4, 5 straight is the second best straight you can get. Other then that, all scoring is as traditional poker. The dealer will determine when players get to go, etc. This is based upon 3 dice that are rolled. There is more to it, but that's the jist of it.

Then of course, Baccarat. Justin and I played this game the last night we were in Vegas for the first time. It took some getting used to, but I quickly picked it up. It is kinda like Blackjack, but instead of trying to get to 21, your trying to get to 9 and hands don't bust. But, for instance if you have a 3 and a 10 that's 3, not 13. You always make it a single digit. Getting a 10, J, Q or K give you 0. An Ace will give you 1. The rest, 2-9 are counted at face value.

The game is started with the player betting on the player or the bank. If they bet on the bank, there is a %5 commision that the bank charges. The odds on the bank are better because of this, but only by 0.19%, so not very much. Next two hands are dealt. One for the player and one for the bank, the player goes first. If the first two players cards are 1-5 or 10, then the player draws a card. If it is a 6 or 7 the player stands. It is called a natural when the player has an 8 or 9, and the bank loses it's draw.

Then it's the bankers turn. If the banker's first two cards total 3 and the players third card was not 8 the banker draws. If the players third card was an 8, the banker stands. If the bankers first two cards total 4 and the players third card is 2-7 the banker draws. If the players third card is 1, 8, 9 or 10 (which really is 0) the dealer stands. If the bankers first two cards total 5 and the players third card is 4-7 the banker draws. If the players is 1-3 or 8-10 the banker stands. If the bankers first two cards total 6 and the players third card is 6 or 7 the banker draws. If the players third card is 1-5 or 8-10 the banker stands. If the bankers first two cards total 7, the banker stands. If the banker gets 8 or 9 total from the first two cards, it is a natural, the banker stands and the player cannot draw.

If the player has drawn no extra cards, the banker must draw on hands totalling 0-5 and stand on ones totalling 6-9. Again though, ones of 8 or 9 automatically win as they are naturals. There can of course be a tie and you can bet on the tie. You must bet on either the player or the bank though, and cannot just bet on a tie.

Good shit huh? I had fun playing Baccarat. I think I will stay away from Pai Gow though, I'm not a fan.