Computerized Poker Tables
 

I'm listening to Tuco's poker show right now and he and Mike are discussing on how some casinos are introducing a computerized poker table whereby all players will sit front of a monitor, and the hands will be dealt by a computer.

So basically the casino will be eliminating the dealer, speed of the number of hands per hour, and ultimately cut cost.

Obviously there are many pros to this, especially for the professional poker player. However, I can definitely see a lot of cons as well for doing this.

Mainly Tuco and Mike outlined that a lot of recreational players enjoy the "feel of the cards", the comadarie of a poker room. In short people go to play live poker to get away from the boredom and anti-socialness of online Internet Poker.

If these computerized poker tables are introduced as a standard of norm in cardrooms, then what implications would this have on B&M poker rooms. Do you think this is good for live poker?

Lawrence

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

We've discussed this many times. Most people seem to agree if these systems become widely used they'd rather just sit at home and play online.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

What a horrible idea. Sounds like someone like barry shulman would endore such a stupid plan (oops, didn't he already in CP?). Might as well just kick yourself in the nuts first, then stay the **** home and play on the *** damn internet already.

al

p.s. if you need me, I'll come to your house, kick you in the nuts, then you can give me $100 and I'll be on my way

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

If any casino I play at institutes this kind of set up I will no longer play poker there.

I like chips. I like cards. I like talking to people and so on and so forth.

This idea sounds like the most retarded thing I've ever heard. I hope no one does it. I really don't like playing online nearly as much as I like playing live and so I sincerely hope this doesn't take over.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

sounds like a pretty GREAT idea... firstly - you still get to see the players .. make live play reads, etc. so the B&M aspect is still there.. but the biggest thing.. NO TIPS! yesyes yes... your not expected to tip.. and there's more room on the table cuz theres no pesky smelly no-english knowing dealer there.. LOL...

yeah those are the pros - but personally - i guess im aganist it cuz i love chips.. so yeah.. terrible idea in that respect

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

[ QUOTE ]


al

p.s. if you need me, I'll come to your house, kick you in the nuts, then you can give me $100 and I'll be on my way

[/ QUOTE ]

I live in an igloo up here, and I don't have a $100. Will you take seal skin? [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Lawrence

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

That would take away the only reason I would want to go to the casino. I go to handle cards, chips, free booze [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]... I don't see it catching on

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

id never play at the casino again if they did this, its all about feeling the felt, shuffling chips and seeing your opponents tells by the way they handle their cards and so forth.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I saw it down in Florida at the Hard Rock Cafe(I think that was the name). It looked pretty cool actually. It's not as bad as it sounds. You still have a floorperson hanging around if you need help. It was like a video game almost, but with real money.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

What else will be next? Will programmers make robots replicating pros at the table?

"I am RoboGus. I will play suited junk and draw out on your boats."

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

Oddly, I think this will advance poker as a legitimate choice for many casinos that would not otherwise have a pokerroom. The best rooms won't change a thing, this is really aimed at the third teir rooms (and Florida).

I hope it can spread Pineapple / Omaha8b / Triple Draw 2-7 mixed games, or we can't have another spewfest [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

Worst idea of the year.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

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Worst idea of the year.

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Naw, its great. When you win a pot, the machine will spit a little piece of paper out redeemable for the amount you won.

Plus they can do Paradise Poker-style cocktail service with a martini or hotdog for your side table.

Heck, you wont even have to be in the poker room, you can sit at dinner and play a $45+15 sng while eating Lobster.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I think the idea sucks, BUT I have a hunch that this will be the only way Harrah's in Cherokee, NC will end up with 'legal' poker. As it stands right now, there is not a deck of cards to be seen in the place as even their blackjack is done via computer.

If they put this into place there, I would have to at least check it out, even if the casino is in a dry county (really, how many strikes can a casino have against it?!).

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I really hate this idea. However, what if they just had a robot dealer? I think the tech is a long way off, but what would you think of that, assuming it still uses real cards and chips?
see also: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/.../100073_bb.asx

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I think this is a great idea. I'm surprised something isn't already in casinos where they spread multiplayer poker games on video-poker machines. At the very least, players on a waiting list for a real game would be playing on them.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

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I think this is a great idea. I'm surprised something isn't already in casinos where they spread multiplayer poker games on video-poker machines. At the very least, players on a waiting list for a real game would be playing on them.

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this is a good point... i'd love to play on one of these when i'm waiting 3 hours for my "real" seat.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

How would one protect his or her hole cards in such an automated game?

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

[ QUOTE ]
I saw it down in Florida at the Hard Rock Cafe(I think that was the name). It looked pretty cool actually. It's not as bad as it sounds. You still have a floorperson hanging around if you need help. It was like a video game almost, but with real money.

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Which Hard Rock was it? Tampa or the other one?

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

Why don't they open up a site strictly for casino goers and then rent out laptops?

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I have seen them in Hollywood, but I assume Tampa also has them.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

Its a bad idea...hope it never catches on...like playing video craps...sucks

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I love the idea of a robot dealer, as long as it worked and the procedure for returning the cards back to the bot worked. This is a tough procedure for a robot, though.

As for the computer poker tables...if they have some of the computerized computer tables and some of the regular tables, that might be OK, since then everyone could get what they preferred. However, a total switchover sounds like a bad idea. How much chatter would there be at a computerized table? Not much, I'd imagine.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I don't think a dealer robot would ever work because of all the questions that dealers get asked, where the action is, coloring chips, raking the pot, grabbing cards off the table, etc.

It's something I've thought about before, but it just wouldn't work. I guess the casinos are going to have to keep paying the dealers 5 bucks an hour [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

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How would one protect his or her hole cards in such an automated game?

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Good question. Maybe it could be like a touch-screen, where the edge of the card is lifted up when you run your finger across it.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

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How would one protect his or her hole cards in such an automated game?

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I want to know the same thing. It must be something that they thought of, but I'm having a hard time picturing how it works.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How would one protect his or her hole cards in such an automated game?

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I want to know the same thing. It must be something that they thought of, but I'm having a hard time picturing how it works.

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could be a handheld LCD screen

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

This was done about twelve years ago in (I think) a downtown Las Vegas casino. Apparently the idea didn't catch on. The picture of the setup (it may have allowed only six or perhaps eight players) was in Card Player and I think Linda Johnson or another columnist wrote about it.

I don't like the idea but it may sell in a few spots.

~ Rick

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I sat at one of these things at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL, over the weekend.

Yes, it's a touch screen. You cup your hands over your cards on the screen and touch it, and the corners of the cards flip up. They fall back when you remove your hand.

You get an electronic card (like a credit card or an ATM card, etc.). You deposit cash into your account, they activate your card, and you put the card into a slot at your seat and enter your PIN to access your account balance.

It actually does feel more like you're playing online than at a B&M, with the difference being that you are physically seated with your opponents.

They had two of these tables open for $2/$2 limit hold-em (a Florida concoction) and one for $45 NLHE SnGs. It seemed to me that about half the people playing the LHE tables were there passing the time while waiting for a seat at a regular table. The wait for a seat at the machine was much, much shorter than for any regular table.

It wasn't bad. Plusses are that you don't have to tip a dealer (the rake is the same as on a regular table; I asked), you don't have the problem of people acting out of turn, etc. The biggest drawback besides the fact that you don't actually handle chips or cards is that when someone zones out and doesn't realize it's their turn, there's no dealer there to get their attention so it's up to one of the other players to shake him awake. That leads to one or two players at the table always being antsy and hurrying you along if you dare to just stop to think for a second.

Not a horrible experience. I made 34BB profit in about four hours of playing time over a couple of days. So I'll do it again.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

[ QUOTE ]
Oddly, I think this will advance poker as a legitimate choice for many casinos that would not otherwise have a pokerroom. The best rooms won't change a thing, this is really aimed at the third teir rooms (and Florida).

[/ QUOTE ]



Very good point. Perhaps even the main rooms will have this on just a few tables for games like HORSE or Triple Draw to speed up play in those games.

Re: Hard Rock
 

True lies, Ive never seen one in Tampa.



Wonder if there is a pot are do you get criedts in you a favor?

Re: Hard Rock
 

[ QUOTE ]
True lies, Ive never seen one in Tampa.



Wonder if there is a pot are do you get criedts in you a favor?

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Just like on your computer screen when playing online. You see chips going into the pot, then they slide to the player with the winning hand. And there's a box in front of you that tells how much money you have.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

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I have seen them in Hollywood, but I assume Tampa also has them.

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You assume incorrectly. Tampa's management declined to take them. If they add them, I will stop playing there. End of dicusssion.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I really hated the idea of them, but have since changed my mind.

IF: these machines would be allowed in rooms that currently can't have a pokerroom by law, or would induce casinos without a pokerroom to at least install these

and

IF: casinos that currently have pokerrooms would use them not as replacements for their current live operations, but rather as an alternative (especially for people stuck on the wait list)


THEN these things could be a great addition to poker. As long as they don't replace traditional tables completely (they won't), then anything that allows me to play while I wait for a seat is fine by me.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

A certain portion of the market will like this, and it will be implemented. But many still won't so it will never take over entirely.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

I could see these things taking over if not for the boom in online poker. Think about it, the B&Ms would save a boatload of cash with these because they wouldn't have to hire dealers.

But in the current environment, the casinos do have to compete with online. They probably wouldn't be able to do that very well if all they offered is virtual poker tables that wouldn't be much different than what you could get at home.

They're fine as an alternative because there are some casino players who would prefer them, I'm sure. And as a few have said, if a casino without an existing poker room added a few of these as a low-cost way to add poker, that would be OK, too. But I doubt that any casino that is serious about attracting poker players in large numbers would be successful trying to do it exclusively with these things.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

Is there a link for these things anywhere? I can't find squat via google.

-Ryan

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

Here in S. Fla., they're called Poker Pro.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

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for many casinos that would not otherwise have a pokerroom

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Many "casinos" here in the UK are basically a bunch of fruit machines (slots) and electronic roullete. I can see this catching on, but will never replace a quality cardroom.

Re: Computerized Poker Tables
 

while i'm not a big fan of it, I do see the following as an advantage.

You will get more hands per hour, and you will be playing those more hands at a higher limit against worser players than you would online.


How many of us wouldn't love to play a 1/2 NL for example, against a bunch of people who play as bad as the PP 25NL players do?