So, for this game, a random simulation was clearly in order. Even with the best of short cuts, a perfect analysis would likely take months or years for a computer to crank through all the combinations by brute force. I like to analyze games with a direct combinatorial analysis whenever I can. The lower right cell shows a house edge of 2.57%. The following table shows the probability and return of all possible net wins per initial hand. If the player splits then he can win two units, tie, or lose two units. Most of the time the player will win or lose one unit.

There are five possible outcomes of each initial hand. In addition there is an 'envy bonus' based on the poker value of all other player's at the table, as shown below. I believe that pay table 2 is the most commonly used.

The side bet shall pay according the poker value of the player's five cards and one of the pay tables below.

If the dealer has the higher poker hand, or there is a tie, then the dealer shall win.

If the player has the higher poker hand then the player shall win even money.

Both player and dealer shall make the best 5-card poker hand using any five cards from the five community cards and the two hole cards.

The dealer shall deal five community cards.

The dealer shall turn his cards over and select two cards to start with according to the house way below, discarding the other two cards.

If the player splits then he must match the poker bet as well as the side bet, if made.

The player has the choice of either (A) selecting any two of his four cards and discarding the other two, or (B) splitting his hand into two 2-card hands.

Four cards are dealt face down to both player and dealer.

The player makes a poker bet plus an optional side bet.All hands are scored according to conventional poker rules. The game is played from a shoe of six ordinary 52-card decks.If you are looking for a poker based game that is easy to play, has low volatility, and a competitive house edge then you may enjoy Texas Shootout. The dealer's strength is winning on ties. The player's strengths are freedom of choice as well as the ability to split. The only decision is which two cards out of four to start with. The player and dealer go against each other, the higher hand wins. Texas Shootout is a simple poker based game by Galaxy Gaming.

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