Pai Gow Poker Video

Wiz, here are some thoughts:

1) I think the key is to understand exactly what you are aiming for in creating the videos. This video feels like it is between a "How to Play PGP" video for newbie's and a more advanced PGP strategy video. The production has elements of both but doesn't do a complete job on either.

2) It is easy to find technical issues with any non-professionally completed production (i.e. the two cameras had different levels of focus or resolution, lighting, etc). I don't think there is a way to fix these issues without a bigger investment in production technology which I assume you do not want to make.

3) I would focus on the non-technical critiques listed above. Not being able to see the cards is the one significant one that needs to be addressed. The viewer can't follow along with your discussion of how to set the hands without seeing all 7 cards clearly. The overhead view is critical for this and should be zoomed to only see the hands/wrists & cards of the dealer and players. You will likely need to designate to the player/model and dealer to be sure to open their hand in an area of the layout within the frame of the overhead camera so we can all see what you are talking about when discussing setting the hand.

4) I agree with others, set the hands to create the topics you want to discuss. This seems like it can be easily done with the three hand packets stacked out of view from the camera but within reach for Dan/Dealer.

5) I would follow a natural progression of higher and higher hands. For example the first two player hands could be Pai Gow & One Pair with the dealer hand being a higher Pai Gow hand then the player. Next hand is both players having two pair, one that is split and one that is kept together based on your 9-15 rule (maybe you introduce the Joker as an Ace option in this hand). The next hand is Three of a Kind for each player, one being three Aces using the Joker (you can talk about splitting the three Aces). Next is a straight & flush one using the Joker (you can introduce how Joker can fill flushes and straights as well in this hand), one natural straight/flush. Then you can have two 3 of a kind hands, one that is split and one that isn't. It will be obvious that you are setting hands, but that is OK as the point is for the video to teach, not to be a fair representation of live play.

6) Use your model more to ask questions as she did about the banker. The questions she asks are used as learning nuances that you want to highlight. She was good the one time that she was able to direct the conversation. Use her more......ooopss, I already said that!

7) I didn't notice that "Dan was bored" during the video as I was mostly focused on Wiz as he did most of the talking. Dan did fine when he invited to explain a situation. Mike you did a nice job of transitiioning to you and Dan.

8) I didn't notice a lot of "umms" and "uhhhs" in this video which is usually fairly common in amateur shoots. So you did that well.

8) Watch your background & lit signs in the picture. The scrolling sign I did notice and it was a distraction. The table sign was a bright distraction in the shot with Dan. We can't really read it anyway, so make the sign unlit.

Bottom line......shooting quality how to videos is hard. It is much harder without some scripting or in this case hand setting so you know what is coming next. You have to set the hands!

For dice (i.e. a craps video), I would even consider having your editor cut away on each roll while dice are in the air to a close up of the far end of the table where the dice land. Have a close up of the dice setlling on every combination you want to use and edit that in so you essentially can set the dice result and explain the game in a similar building block of knowledge way.

Quote: Wizard

At least SOOPOO liked her.

I liked her, whats not to like. I kept waiting
for the bikini scene, why did you cut it out?

Quote: PlayYourCardsRight

Nice job on the video. Anyone who does anything can be nit-picked apart.

And I'm the biggest nit picker here.

So I finally saw the second part.

I have only two additional comments, but you of course know the first one.

Rehearsals. It would have prevented you from being surprised that Angela didn't ask about the side bets.

And about those side bets. Sure they are sucker bets, but you didn't say anything else about them!

Quote: DJTeddyBear

And about those side bets. Sure they are sucker bets, but you didn't say anything else about them!

They're only mostly sucker bets. The progressive on most PGP tables has a 55% house edge at the $10,000 jackpot reset value, but a 0% house edge at a jackpot of about $284,000. Last time I was in Vegas, the progressive at the Gold Coast was $324,xxx. Obviously that's still a (very) long shot, but it's + EV!

I would think that it's at least worth mentioning the Fortune bonus (avoid!), progressive (be aware!), and Queen's Dragon (Play EZ PGP!) bets in a followup or re-work of the video.

Quote: Paradigm

7) I didn't notice that "Dan was bored" during the video as I was mostly focused on Wiz as he did most of the talking. Dan did fine when he invited to explain a situation. Mike you did a nice job of transitiioning to you and Dan.

I need to clarify...

I did not mean that Dan was actually bored.

I meant that he didn't know what to do with his hands, he had them all over the place and at some points had his head resting on his hand - a classic bored position, but not necessarily being bored.

MHO

Pai Gow Poker appears to a rather simple game. About 80% of the hands can be sorted by beginners knowing the basic rules. There are some more complex choices in the game that require a more advanced discussion. But those 20% of hands can affect the House edge significantly. Frankly, an interesting discussion about the game as precursor to game-play is in order. The aspects of a pai-gow hand, two-pair splits and Joker Straights/Flush need coverage as important points of the game. A card-interchange method rather than actual play was important *to me* as a rapid teaching tool. Yes, it is important to show how the game is played in real-life. But before you go there, cover the unique aspects of the game first. /MHO

Quote: EvenBob

(I thought Dan was 300 pounds
and Somoan. Who was the grey haired guy?)

That's funny, I had a similar image of Dan.

" That's funny, I had a similar image of Dan. " Amazing what digital enhancement can do !

Quote: Wizard

So much for the "one positive quality" I mentioned in the first page of this thread. At least SOOPOO liked her.

She did a good job. Most people around here are mature enough not to be in 8th grade.

And an overhead camera is specifically to get a better idea for the table and have a closer perspective of what it would like sitting at the table, not to look down someone's shirt *eyeroll*

Quote: YoDiceRoll11

She did a good job. Most people around here are mature enough not to be in 8th grade.

And an overhead camera is specifically to get a better idea for the table and have a closer perspective of what it would like sitting at the table, not to look down someone's shirt *eyeroll*

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... Exit stage left >>>