UCivan
UCivan
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July 24th, 2014 at 2:05:58 PM permalink
I noticed High Card Flush was removed at Four Queens, downtown Las Vegas last weekend. One dealer said it did not do well. However, the table at Binion's, just across street from 4-Queens, was still open and did very well every time I walked by. Wonder why? any thoughts? Are players tired of it already?
pokerface
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July 24th, 2014 at 2:40:53 PM permalink
soon enough it will be removed from all casinos
winning streaks come and go, losing streak never ends.
UCivan
UCivan
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July 24th, 2014 at 3:01:44 PM permalink
Quote: pokerface

soon enough it will be removed from all casinos

Why is that, do U mind sharing your thoughts?
pokerface
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July 24th, 2014 at 3:18:00 PM permalink
1. during my visit (Strip), most, if not all ,HCF tables are empty.
This means players don't like it
2. I played at 3 or 4 sessions at different casinos, mostly just myself.
each time I lost all my buy in (a few hundred each), and I always bet the minimum,i.e., $5.
So I understand why other players don't like it.

Even all players lost their buy-ins, I still don't think the casinos make enough money
to cover the dealer' salary because most of the time the dealer just stands there idle.

A game neither the casinos nor the players like, how longer can it exist?
winning streaks come and go, losing streak never ends.
UCivan
UCivan
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July 24th, 2014 at 3:32:26 PM permalink
Thanks. I was wondering why players played at Binion's, but not 4-Queens. The players were all look like tourists, non-locals. The only difference was at Binion's, the dealers were young, chic, and in their hot 20's.
Paradigm
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July 24th, 2014 at 5:33:21 PM permalink
I would disagree that the game is going to be gone and think Galaxy actually has a pretty good game on its hands.

The game is simple.....maybe too simple, like 3CP, but the added feature of 7 cards vs. 3 cards and a side bet that can pay 8000-1 give it enough IMHO.

The play is pretty good in that players fold about a third of hands and call/raise 2/3 of the time.

Hit rate sits just under 45%, in the zone where you want it to be, and you have multi unit pays (e.g. Ante & Raise bets winning) on 28% of hands. Action seems good.

The only complaint I have is with the side bets. The HE on the Straight Flush bet should pay 8-1 on the 3CSF to bring that HE down into the high 6%'s.....13%+ is too high in my opinion and burns out the players bankroll. Also I would let this bet be a $1 min and I believe most operators make it and the Flush Side bet a table minimum proposition (normally $5) and that eats the bankroll too quickly.

Time will tell and I am sure Dan can chime in on the success so far.....to the extent he can before earnings release for Galaxy on 9/8.
UCivan
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July 24th, 2014 at 5:48:47 PM permalink
I think it's a good game too. When I was watching, I saw some players hit the "Straight Flush bonus" - a player may have 4 card of the same suit (flush) and wins 3 card straight flush. This feature is innovative. Again, I don't know why Binion's is doing well and not 4-Queens. They are neighbors on Fremont Street.

Talking about earnings, GLXZ is about 0.35 now. A buy!!!
Paradigm
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July 24th, 2014 at 6:03:43 PM permalink
Need a separate thread on GLXZ stock, but the Ask hasn't dropped below $0.40 for a while.
mcallister3200
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July 24th, 2014 at 6:12:14 PM permalink
Quote: UCivan

Thanks. I was wondering why players played at Binion's, but not 4-Queens. The players were all look like tourists, non-locals. The only difference was at Binion's, the dealers were young, chic, and in their hot 20's.

20's yes, hot? That's a pretty low standard, them and lvc have the bottom of the party pit dealer crop.
Zcore13
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July 25th, 2014 at 1:41:04 PM permalink
I don't think High Card Flush is going anywhere. Sure, in a rare casino it won't fit in with the customer base or the competition next door will take all the action with better dealers, atmosphere or paytables, but it's a really good game.

Non experienced table games players can learn it in less than a minute. There is a pretty good chance someone is going to hit a good hand if you play with a few people at the table for a short time. And a lot of times the amount lost on a hand is minimal due to beating the dealer but losing the side bets or losing to the dealer but getting a 4 card flush or 3 card straight flush on the hand.

I changed our paytables to allow for longer play for the customers dollar. I made the 4 card flush 2-1 and the 3 card straight flush 8-1 and took some away from the top end. Obviously the low end payments happen WAY more than the jackpot. I don't like killing the regulars and having people drop $200 in 30 minutes. The side bets start at $1 as well.


ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
beachbumbabs
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July 25th, 2014 at 1:43:20 PM permalink
Quote: Zcore13

I don't think High Card Flush is going anywhere. Sure, in a rare casino it won't fit in with the customer base or the competition next door will take all the action with better dealers, atmosphere or paytables, but it's a really good game.

Non experienced table games players can learn it in less than a minute. There is a pretty good chance someone is going to hit a good hand if you play with a few people at the table for a short time. And a lot of times the amount lost on a hand is minimal due to beating the dealer but losing the side bets or losing to the dealer but getting a 4 card flush or 3 card straight flush on the hand.

I changed our paytables to allow for longer play for the customers dollar. I made the 4 card flush 2-1 and the 3 card straight flush 8-1 and took some away from the top end. Obviously the low end payments happen WAY more than the jackpot. I don't like killing the regulars and having people drop $200 in 30 minutes. The side bets start at $1 as well.


ZCore13



I realize Dan has said before that he doesn't like folks messing with the paytables, but I like your fine-tuning. I'm guessing, though, you took a far piece out of the 60-1 4 card sf to do it. That one feels great on the game.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
UCivan
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July 25th, 2014 at 1:44:57 PM permalink
Dan is a vendor; customers are God.
Zcore13
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July 25th, 2014 at 1:49:42 PM permalink
Quote: beachbumbabs

I realize Dan has said before that he doesn't like folks messing with the paytables, but I like your fine-tuning. I'm guessing, though, you took a far piece out of the 60-1 4 card sf to do it. That one feels great on the game.



No, I didn't touch any of the low end payouts. Just the jackpot (highest payout) for each side bet was reduced.

PAY TABLES

Flush Bonus
# of Flush Cards Pays
7 100 to 1
6 20 to 1
5 10 to 1
4 2 to 1

Straight Flush Bonus
# of Cards Pays
7 1000 to 1
6 500 to 1
5 100 to 1
4 60 to 1
3 8 to 1

A vendors opinion on what my paytable should be for my customers is just that, an opinion. I adjust paytables based on fairness to my customers.

(EDIT) - These paytables reduce the house edge to:

Flush 5.30% from 7.81%
Straight Flush 7.39% from 13.09%

and reduce the variance:

Flush 5.72 from 28.44
Straight Flush 29.46 from 52.47

These paytables are paytables offered by Galaxy, just most places choose not to use them.


ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
Paradigm
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July 25th, 2014 at 2:15:26 PM permalink
Quote: Zcore13

I changed our paytables to allow for longer play for the customers dollar. I made the 4 card flush 2-1 and the 3 card straight flush 8-1 and took some away from the top end. Obviously the low end payments happen WAY more than the jackpot. I don't like killing the regulars and having people drop $200 in 30 minutes. The side bets start at $1 as well.ZCore13


Has anyone else noticed how smart Z is when it comes to running a table games floor?
UCivan
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July 25th, 2014 at 2:18:33 PM permalink
+1 Zcore always and only says things with substance
beachbumbabs
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July 25th, 2014 at 2:22:19 PM permalink
Quote: Paradigm

Has anyone else noticed how smart Z is when it comes to running a table games floor?



I have.
If the House lost every hand, they wouldn't deal the game.
Paigowdan
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July 25th, 2014 at 7:56:53 PM permalink
Quote: UCivan

Dan is a vendor; customers are God.


Certain casinos, (Like Bucky's and Jeff C.) are 100% welcome to request paytable changes if we don't have one that closely meets his needs. Bucky's/Jeff C. are a pleasure to work with, and are extended this consideration.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
Zcore13
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July 25th, 2014 at 8:28:08 PM permalink
Galaxy always treats me very well.

ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
deanandmaria
deanandmaria
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August 3rd, 2014 at 10:50:19 PM permalink
It's weird to read different people's perspective on games in a casino.

Last weekend I played HCF at Bally's, Flamingo, M Resort and Planet Hollywood. Tables were always full or near full every time, and that was both during the day and during peak hours. The only time I saw an empty table was one night at Bally's when they tried to raise the limit to $10. It's a tough game to play at a higher price, I think.
tringlomane
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August 3rd, 2014 at 11:55:52 PM permalink
Quote: deanandmaria

It's weird to read different people's perspective on games in a casino.

Last weekend I played HCF at Bally's, Flamingo, M Resort and Planet Hollywood. Tables were always full or near full every time, and that was both during the day and during peak hours. The only time I saw an empty table was one night at Bally's when they tried to raise the limit to $10. It's a tough game to play at a higher price, I think.



It definitely is since I have yet to see a person other than myself bet less than $5 on each possible bet.
mrsuit31
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August 4th, 2014 at 12:05:26 AM permalink
Quote: tringlomane

It definitely is since I have yet to see a person other than myself bet less than $5 on each possible bet.



I have a lot of trouble with this also, which is why i end up pushing on virtually all the hands i actually beet the dealer. I like the game, but any game involving suits I obviously have a personal conflict with...
.
Roghaltz
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August 20th, 2014 at 5:49:19 PM permalink
Quote: Zcore13

Galaxy always treats me very well.

ZCore13



Zcore13 where do you work? (I am relatively new to the board). I am coming to LV in Oct.

Thanks
Zcore13
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August 20th, 2014 at 5:57:24 PM permalink
Quote: Roghaltz

Zcore13 where do you work? (I am relatively new to the board). I am coming to LV in Oct.

Thanks



I'm in Arizona.

ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
Paigowdan
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August 20th, 2014 at 7:57:09 PM permalink
Quote: tringlomane

It definitely is [difficult to win on HCF] since I have yet to see a person other than myself bet less than $5 on each possible bet.



About three weeks ago I nailed a six-card straight flush (actually a six-card Royal) at the M with a nickel up on each the flush bet and straight flush bet, with $50 on the Ante, and [measly] dollar for the dealer on each the flush and straight flush side bets. 50:1 and 100:1 on the sides, and $150 (3x) bet and won on the [This was after getting two-out-of-three four card straights, and winning a queen-high 3-card flush against a dealer's qualifying crap hand, 10-7-2]. I WAS on a roll with THIS game and it was great.

I always find this game very fair and forgiving to the player, - way more than at craps or UTH/HUH, and somewhat more so than Three Card Poker.

There is a reason why did game gets the action it does. It's a great game and deserves the action.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
Roghaltz
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August 21st, 2014 at 6:18:48 AM permalink
Quote: Zcore13

I'm in Arizona.

ZCore13



Thanks Zcore13.
Roghaltz
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August 21st, 2014 at 6:19:43 AM permalink
Is there an online demo of the game?
1arrowheaddr
1arrowheaddr
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August 21st, 2014 at 6:40:50 AM permalink
HCF is boring. 3CP with more cards.
UCivan
UCivan
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August 21st, 2014 at 7:54:22 AM permalink
Quote: Paigowdan

About three weeks ago I nailed a six-card straight flush (actually a six-card Royal) at the M with a nickel up on each the flush bet and straight flush bet, with $50 on the Ante, and [measly] dollar for the dealer on each the flush and straight flush side bets. 50:1 and 100:1 on the sides, and $150 (3x) bet and won on the [This was after getting two-out-of-three four card straights, and winning a queen-high 3-card flush against a dealer's qualifying crap hand, 10-7-2]. I WAS on a roll with THIS game and it was great.

I always find this game very fair and forgiving to the player, - way more than at craps or UTH/HUH, and somewhat more so than Three Card Poker.

There is a reason why did game gets the action it does. It's a great game and deserves the action.



Dan, agree, HCF is a great game. Here is another question for you. I was told by engineers / managers at Konami that they don't ever play their own slots because if they hit jackpot, people may get suspicious - "do they know something other players don't." HCF is Galaxy's game. Do you have the same concerns? Would you be allowed play HCF if it was on a trial field? Are you allowed to play YOUR OWN game, EZ something? When do U draw a line?
Paigowdan
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August 21st, 2014 at 8:22:26 AM permalink
It is not the same with table games distribution. Once a game is approved, it is deemed fair and reasonably "unfraudible."

The general limits for table game participation in NV are:
If you work for an operator (not a distributor), you may play at any house aside from your workplace casino - as that poses a risk of collusion.
Obviously, gaming enforcement may not play the gambling games they oversee.
If you are a shift manager or higher, or in surveillance, you should not play table games, because of a perceived conflict of interest being knowledgeable on game protection.

Game Salesmen of distributors should not play the games they sell ("Shilling" games).

Game inventors may train on and even deal their own games, if a dealer. I dealt EZ Pai Gow at Fiesta Henderson, alternating with Fortune Pai Gow, dice, and poker games. No preference or care on what to deal, or what the Road Map had me deal.
If a dealer, you cannot deal to family members. (On dice at Fiesta Henderson, my visiting brother had to play the other side of the table when I was on 2nd base. Other dealers dealt to him.)

For slots/electronic gambling games, obviously you cannot play the devices you've programmed or have certified. See Ron Harris slot engineer/cheat.

Other states, perhaps more strict rules.
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes - Henry David Thoreau. Like Dealers' uniforms - Dan.
DRich
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August 21st, 2014 at 9:32:19 AM permalink
Quote: Paigowdan


For slots/electronic gambling games, obviously you cannot play the devices you've programmed or have certified. See Ron Harris slot engineer/cheat.

Other states, perhaps more strict rules.



As far as slot machines you program, there isn't a regulation or rule against it in Nevada that I am aware of.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
Wulfgar1224
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January 3rd, 2018 at 6:48:18 PM permalink
I posted on this thread because I was looking for a fun and different game to play in Vegas when I go this March. I try a new game each year. I've already tried Blackjack, Craps, Baccarat, Roulette, Pai gow poker, Pai Gow tiles, Mississippi Stud, Let it Ride, Caribbean Stud, Ultimate Texas Hold em, Crazy 4 Poker, and 3 card poker. This game seemed like a fun one. Has anyone else tried it? It looks like it is offered at Planet Hollywood but isn't super prevalent on the strip. Learning a simple basic strategy seems fairly easy. Any thoughts on the game would be greatly appreciated. I might try Criss Cross Poker instead but need to research it further.
Last edited by: Wulfgar1224 on Jan 3, 2018
Ayecarumba
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January 3rd, 2018 at 7:50:14 PM permalink
Saw it at Rio back in November. I assume all the CET properties would have it, since they were running a $1,000,000 jackpot sidebet.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
gordonm888
Administrator
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August 3rd, 2018 at 9:12:32 PM permalink
High card Flush has been at Harrah's Cherokee for at least 6 months and appears to be doing well there. And, Harrah's Cherokee seems very conservative about new games - it has a surprisingly limited selection of table games for a mammoth casino. So, that's a good sign for High Card Flush.
So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.
UCivan
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August 3rd, 2018 at 9:20:56 PM permalink
Looking through the past postings here, guess what? HCF is one of the hottest games in the table games, 2018.
Zcore13
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August 3rd, 2018 at 9:51:14 PM permalink
High Card Flush does well everywhere it goes. I would say UTH is the most popular carnival game wherever it is, but HCF is probably 2nd. TCP definitely has more placements, but it's going down while HCF is going up.


ZCore13
I am an employee of a Casino. Former Table Games Director,, current Pit Supervisor. All the personal opinions I post are my own and do not represent the opinions of the Casino or Tribe that I work for.
LuckyPhow
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August 4th, 2018 at 6:55:26 AM permalink
Quote: Wulfgar1224

This game [High Card Flush] seemed like a fun one.



IIRC, High Card Flush was voted the Best Table Game of the Year when it first came out a few years ago. And for good reason. Basic strategy is simple, even if you have been drinking. You don't play against other players, so it's a very social game. The Dealer has no option that affects who wins, unlike Pai-Gow Poker where the "House Way" sometimes seems to have "exceptions" that work against you. Most who play HCF enjoy the two bonus bets, even though they each have rather high house advantage. So, if you don't bet the bonus bets, expect to get some Razzing, because, "Them bonus bets is where the money is!"
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