Average Length of Play?

Hey Wizard,

I've seen countless discussions dedicated to average loss, casino edge, etc and how they all relate to calculating comps. However, one variable I'm curious about, and that I haven't seen discussed, is the interplay between starting bankroll, volatility of a game, and average length of play possible until hitting 0. I know from experience that, while my odds are worse at Pai Gow Poker than they are at Craps or Blackjack, the average length of play I can achieve at Pai Gow is considerably longer. Building off this logic, doesn't it also make sense that the same bankroll will last longer at Pai Gow, and thus may generate more comps in the hours x avg. bet system?

Appreciate your insights into this. I know there should be a mathematical way to analyze this with respect to 1) size of bankroll versus average bet and 2) measure of volatility, but my skills stop there.

Pai Gow is the least volatile table game. You are going to preserve your bankroll the longest playing this game. If you bank and use a proper strategy, you will only give up about 2% to the house.

Of course, the house hates Pai Gow because players never tip, it's slow and it has a reputation of being a "flea" game. They won't comp you much over and above free drinks. (But sometimes that can be enough for some people).

No, because the casino's know this, so they comp a lot less at Pai-Gow.
For instance, I'll play 6 hours at craps, with a $5 pass line and 3/4/5 odds, and get a $30 "rate", with $30 in comps
I can play Pai-Gow for a green chip for 6 hours, and I MIIIIGHT have $15 in comps.

Quote: teddys

Pai Gow is the least volatile table game. You are going to preserve your bankroll the longest playing this game. If you bank and use a proper strategy, you will only give up about 2% to the house.

Of course, the house hates Pai Gow because players never tip, it's slow and it has a reputation of being a "flea" game. They won't comp you much over and above free drinks. (But sometimes that can be enough for some people).

If the house 'hates pai gow' then they do not have pai gow. This is the first time I ever heard anyone call pai gow 'a flea game'. Come play with me at Seneca Niagara and then say pai gow players don't tip. I've played with guys that tip so much i see no way for them to have a chance. But I agree that it is by far the least volatile game. I often call it loitering, not gambling.

Quote: SOOPOO

I often call it loitering, not gambling.

I like that. I'll use it on my next trip report: "then I loitered at a Pai Gow table for seven hours and only lost $20. that's better than a loitering fine elsewhere!" :)

I don't know how PGP is rated, but the casino likely makes more in bonus bets than on the main bet. My experience is most players will bet the bonus, and bet more on it than on their hands.

As for tips, I did tip at PGP same as I do elsewhere. I didn't notice whether other players tipped.