Pai Gow was a Big game later esp Calif-Much easier to charge $1 vig than $1.25 on a quarter $25 bet. This still holds true in some Casino's not only Calif. However in CA in earlier years the House did not Bank Only the players. The games are faster -get out more hands per hour using $1 rather thsn using the silver.

This was a big reason for Casino's going to the $2.50 chip so more hands could be dealt faster by a Dealer rather than handling 2 chips to pay a snapper.