Banking Odds in Pai Gow Poker

My partner and I are having a discussion and can't quite figure out the answers to the following pai gow poker scenarios:

1. We already know that banking as often as possible increases your odds.
2. But what if there's three of us at the table (me, him and the dealer). In this scenario, since we both gamble from the same bankroll, is it beneficial for us to take turns banking? Or do we let the dealer bank?
3. What if other players join the table?

We are very curious how the odds would change.

Bonus questions: In a Wendover, NV casino, the dragon hand was a "community hand". After all the players set their hands at the table, the dealer offered the Dragon hand. Anyone who wanted to bet on this hand put out their bets (did not have to match their current bet). The player with the highest bet on the table for the Dragon hand got to set the hand. Then the dealer set their hand, and the Dragon hand was revealed. Each player who did the Dragon bet was then paid/not paid accordingly. Anyone who bet essentially was playing two hands. I noticed if someone had a really good hand already set, they didn't bet on the Dragon hand. But if they had a lousy hand down already, they would generally bet higher on the Dragon hand to try to mitigate losses.

1. Do the odds change at all with a community hand?
2. Is it worth playing the Dragon hand if it is handled community-style vs individual?
3. If you have a lousy hand down, do the odds change that the Dragon hand might be better (especially if the other players are groaning about the hands they just set)?

Thank you for your consideration of these questions!

Quote: greenjelloland

2. But what if there's three of us at the table (me, him and the dealer). In this scenario, since we both gamble from the same bankroll, is it beneficial for us to take turns banking? Or do we let the dealer bank?

Since the wiser forum members haven't responded yet, I'll give you something to think about.

Some houses let the banker rotate around the table, and some require the dealer to bank every other hand. I think some will allow you bank every other hand (alternating with the dealer) if nobody else wants to bank, and some will require you to wait until the button rotates back to you.

When you and your partner use the same bankroll, it is equivalent to you playing two spots. The house edge is the same whether you bank every other hand or you and your partner alternate banking after the dealer.

I suppose I should be more specific: If there are only the three of us at the table, and the banking moves from dealer/me/him/dealer/me/him/etc., is there an advantage or disadvantage in odds? Using the same bankroll, we would benefit by claiming each others' losses, but would have to pay the 5% commission on wins to each other. We are definitely curious how the odds change, if they change at all, or if the odds change if other players sit down at the table and we both bank.

I didn't think it through thoroughly enough before replying. I compared it to playing two spots, but I suspect that a player wouldn't (couldn't?) bank against their second hand.

I see your point now. When either of you is banking against each other, your bankroll can only lose 5% of the other's bet, whether the banker wins or loses to the other. Perhaps it would be best for the other to sit out a hand when one of you is banking.

Of course you still can win or lose against the dealer and any other players at the table. However, when you and your partner are playing from the same bankroll, the bankroll can only lose 5% against the other unless the hands push.

I am guessing nobody knows the answer to my questions. Oh, well. We are headed to play Pai Gow next weekend and will have to wing it. :)

You would be incredibly foolish to do that- most places will let you sit on- but i would never let he casino know you are playing out the same bankroll or you will be limited to 2 hands to begin with and not allowed to play the third
Banking is an edge but not enough to over come losing 5 percent on two of the three hands