Pai Gow Poker and Carnival Games

I'm a die hard craps player, have been for many years.  I will also play a little blackjack.  And some video poker when I want to chill.  I'd say over the years it's been 75% craps, 15% blackjack, 10% VP.  But I refuse to play 6/5 blackjack so my play is going down.  I haven't played Pai Gow Poker in many years but enjoyed it as a nice "breather" from craps.  Slow play, lots of pushes, not a terrible house edge.  Is that still around anywhere at a reasonable minimum?  And are there any carinival games that are fun with a decent house edge?  I know "fun" is subjective but I'm just looking for some alternatives when I want to take a break from craps.  

Yes, you can still find PGP, and at locals' casinos it's usually a $10 minimum, but unfortunately, much of it has been replaced by the truly awful "Face Up" version. The dealer's hand is exposed before you set your cards--a benefit you would think would be massive but really doesn't help you all that often (as in, you set your hand differently because of what the dealer has; most PGP hands can only be played sensibly one way anyway). To compensate for that knowledge, every time the dealer has a Queen High pai gow, all hands are pushes. That hurts a LOT, as the player would win about 97% of such hands otherwise.

All that said, the original version is still available here and there. Strip casinos don't like it because it's slow. Oh, and super bonus tip--the game is extremely popular in Washington state casinos and card clubs AND they don't take a 5% commission on winners there. So if you're ever in Seattle...

As far as the other carny games are concerned, I don't like any of them, because the house edge is usually pretty hefty--3% or more, even if you ignore the horrible side bets--and there's usually a very simplistic strategy or none at all. Like a slot machine, but slower.

The best thing you could do to give yourself a games alternative would be to learn video poker. All but the crappiest VP pay schedules are still lower house edge than the carny table games. And there's tremendous variety out there. Heck, you could even get good at it and be gambling with an 0.5% house edge or smaller.

As an example, learn to play NSUD (Not So Ugly Ducks) VP. Get thee to South Point. Their players' club awards 0.3% cashback or comps. The game is inherently 99.73% payback when played perfectly. So, breakeven game! Gamble for free!

We love craps also, and even have a table in the basement to practice on.  I don't know of any good Pia Gow tables with the high hand bonus and the Pia Gow bonus options .  Every game i have seen is the new face up version that is delt out of the shuffle machine.  No option to bank, and no roll of the dice to determine who gets the first hand. It is really just video Pia Gow with cards because every hand is predetermined by the shuffle machine.  i have played the high card flush game a few times, and that can be fun , but streaky.  Remember that Ellis Island has a good 5 dollar crap game until 4 oclock.  Easy self park for free, and good LVA coupons.  We think the Bar BQ is the best deal.  It might still be a little torn up with the remodel, but Everything is still open.  I think the black jack  is also lower min.

Ugh, I just read up on the face up version.  No thanks.  I should get over to Ellis Island.  I was there once and liked it.  I'll study up on NSUD, I like South Point.  I always tell people who play craps to learn the house edge on each bet and to learn basic strategy for blackjack.  I should do the same for VP.  And concentrate on just one.  It's just nice to take a break from the tables and play at my own pace while having a beer or cocktail.