Not allowed to play PGP dragon hand due to collusion?
Is this a common restriction on the playing of the dragon? Does anyone think we could really gain enough information from knowing the contents of two hands to play at an advantage? Obviously the Mirage is worried about it.
If it were possible to gain an advantage I would think 5 players at a table would be better at identifying situations where the dragon is likely to be a big hand. A team of 5 with 4 playing min and one big bettor would be able to make the big bet on the dragon whenever it were favorable. However, even in that scenario it seems like it would be difficult to gain enough of an advantage on the dragon to overcome the losses on all the hands. A favorable dragon isn't going to come along that often. It also seems like the dealer has the big hand equally as often as the dragon. Finally, even if it did work it would be very obvious.
So, why the paranoia?
Maybe they're assuming or observing the two of you seeing/consulting on each other's hands while you play, so from their POV you do have too much info, virtually setting a third hand. I do know that when I play two, I'm ineligible for a dragon (third hand) everywhere, not just at the Mirage.
Knowing where a majority of the aces/jokers, even where the kings are, could figure into a strategic set on the dragon on some hands. Not that you had them on that particular hand, but if they let you once, then they always do, and so perhaps you can take advantage of the opportunity down the road.
Quote: jml24I remembered this situation when reading another recent thread regarding a dragon hand, but this is a different situation. My wife and I were playing PGP at the Mirage and we were the only two players at the table. The first hand, I had crap and asked if I could play the dragon. The dealer told me I could not because we were together. On many other occasions at various casinos we have been at a table together and either of us has played the dragon with no issue.
Is this a common restriction on the playing of the dragon? Does anyone think we could really gain enough information from knowing the contents of two hands to play at an advantage? Obviously the Mirage is worried about it.
If it were possible to gain an advantage I would think 5 players at a table would be better at identifying situations where the dragon is likely to be a big hand. A team of 5 with 4 playing min and one big bettor would be able to make the big bet on the dragon whenever it were favorable. However, even in that scenario it seems like it would be difficult to gain enough of an advantage on the dragon to overcome the losses on all the hands. A favorable dragon isn't going to come along that often. It also seems like the dealer has the big hand equally as often as the dragon. Finally, even if it did work it would be very obvious.
So, why the paranoia?
My wife and I have played four hands at once with lots of collusion going on. I was not allowed how to tell my wife how to set a hand but there was enough knowledge based on being able to LOOK at my wife's cards for me to set my hands differently (for example setting a pair: K-Q instead of pair-pair if all the aces were out) Because the DRAGON bet can be played after you set your hand there is probably enough knowledge on how to set the Dragon Hand or a higher probability that the dragon hand will contain certain cards that your cards did not contain.
Still paranoia I think though.
They have a huge advantage if its a 5% commission game which is pretty common.
Its a real social game, very common for people to ask for help and show their hand to everybody.
No secrets in pai gow poker.
In regular poker, hand security is paramount.
Pai gow, you are spreading your cards out in a hand that usually a neighbor can glance over and see what you have.
I've had nosy neighbors, I get a hand that can be played 2 ways and take my time, a nosy neighbor wants to know what I have.
But is it possible that after so many cards are out, you would be able to guess what the dealer has and then change your play?
Maybe you had 3 of a kind and a pair and you know he is likely to get a flush. You decided to play a full house instead?
Quote: ahiromuI am at Gold Coast and the dealers had no issue whatsoever with the woman next to me laying her entire hand on the table to get help. Most casinos would frown on this, some would yell at you, it was nice to have dealers and supervisors that just didn't care.
I see this nearly everywhere I play as well, but usually the player is asked to wait (if the cards are exposed to other players) until the others have set their hands.
