This game typically offers
"Free Doubles" on hard totals of 9, 10, or 11 with any number of cards.
"Free Splits" on all pairs except 10’s.
If the dealer gets a 22, all bets left standing push.

The house edge for this game using basic strategy is 0.79%.

This is slightly higher than the house edge on a standard game that has favorable rules.

For example, the house edge is 0.43% on an 8 deck game with the following rules:
Dealer stands on soft 17
Double after split allowed
Double allowed on any first 2 cards
Resplit to 4 hands
No resplit of aces
Can not hit split aces
BJ pays 3-2

The significant reduction in the house edge of around 6.55% by the free double and free split is offset by the dealer push on a 22 which adds 6.91% to the house edge. The net effect is to increase the house edge over that of the standard game.

Las Vegas seldom (never is considered seldom) gives anything to the player when they invent a new game.

As Skinny says, any side bet at any game usually has a higher edge in favor of the house. Although the payout can be big on these side bets, you will lose in the long run if you make enough of these side bets. I know these bonus bets may only be $1, so it seems trivial, but those $1 bets add up over time. If the bonus bet payoff is $100,000 for this $1 bet, it simply means that over the long haul that 120,000 players (or some such high number) have made this bet and lost.

Over the past couple of years as I play Pow Gai (or however you spell it) poker, not making the envy bonus, I kept count with chips, and would have never come out ahead had I made this side bonus. The only time I came out ahead I got a straight flush and over that session would have only won $10. Count the many times I did not win and I would have been way behind. And yes I know it is tough when a you miss a big win but the long run will eat you alive. That’s how they pay for these places.

Just my $.02 worth.

Doc