Computer Poker Tables

Someone mentioned in the 'WSOP chip counts wrong' thead that they should have chips with censors in them....were getting pretty close. Copy and pasted this off the saee site


Since the dawn of the computer age, technology has slowly creeped into nearly every facet of modern life. Computers can now do in minutes what it's human predecessor would take a full day to do. With the advent of electronic poker tables, the computer age may soon be creeping into card rooms, and taking jobs from dealers.

One of the major criticisms of online poker is that you can't see your opponents – you can't look into their eyes, or watch their mannerisms as they bet – both key elements of successful live poker play.

Over the last two years, we have seen the advent of electronic tables like Pokertek's 'Poker Pro' model, which not only deals the cards (electronically), but actually has its own waiting list kiosks,
where players can do nearly everything they need to do to play poker, without any human needing to be involved at all.

These tables have been in use at a few selected casinos, and after initial resistance, it seems players are saddling up. The Hard Rock Seminole in Florida has used the tables, and Seminole Poker Manager Henry Funke has called the tables 'the wave of the future'.

So, can these tables catch on? Top tournament director Matt Savage thinks so, but thinks the change may not all be for the best. "Yes, [electronic poker tables] are definitely viable – which is unfortunate for those that work in the poker industry like dealers and floormen. However, they take away much of the skill in poker in my opinion. Chip tells and betting patterns are a big part of the game at the highest levels and I do not want to see that change."

So, what about the dealers? One would assume that all dealers would see these as a threat, a prospect that Funke says is not completely true, as he mentioned in an interview with Casino City Times "What we're running on them now are things that dealers don't mind not having to deal. These tables are very efficient at running low-limit, single-table tournaments, and they're not really affecting the dealers in their take-home pay."

So, maybe these tables can find their niche in the poker world, and everyone can live with the transition. Kathy Raymond, former Director of Poker at Foxwoods, and now Director of Poker at The Venetian, agrees the single table use is currently the most practical.

"I had considered the purchase of a few of these tables while still at Foxwoods Casino." Notes Raymond "My thought being that they would work very well when spreading satellites or single table sit and gos"

Having played at one of these tables, I can say the experience does fall short of the 'true' poker experience, however I would also say that if I was trying to satellite into a smaller event, or was looking to play 'fun poker' for small stakes with friends, I would consider playing at an electronic poker table. Maybe these tables have a place in poker's future, without diluting the experience that is a primary reason many people travel to their local card room to play.

lol. chips with sensors in them...those chips cost a lot to begin with.

I think Harrah's could afford them for something like the WSOP. It's not like they are only making $2 off running the thing.

smd the chips or the tables?

If it is the chips then I totally agree with this. I brought the chips up in mischmans thread. I think the WSOP could so some good with them. It would filter out the confusion on CUs&ROs. Also end of day/start of day counts would be simplified.

If it's the tables, it wouldn't make for very good tv for ESPN almost like watching someone play video poker, kind of boring you would think.

Commentator: "Daniel Negreanu has pushed his allin button......With what? 7 10 os."

"Gus Hanson Has called with a flick of the switch. with 63 sooooooted"

It would sort of speed up play cause then you have cartoon animated cards. Just like you do online , the only thing you won't be doing is dealing with a live dealer instead you are dealing with the RNG.

Sorry but if i'm going to a casino I want real cards. I don't want electronic cards. I get that at home and online. And I can play naked there if I want!

Forgot to add this to my post..............

That's what I want to do is go to my local card room to play a SNG or satellite for the WSOP on an electronic table. Hell I could do that here at home and save money on gas and other expenses.

I agree when the chips, with todays technology im sure they could get some censor the size of a grain of rice to put on the chips.

I would like to see what the tables look like.

LOL me and BBB are thinking alike today. Sorry Karen.

There isnt a picture of the tables out there somewhere?

hmmm I'm just wonder if the don't look a bit like a cross between PokerDome's funky table, a regular poker table with 9 seats, maybe even 12 if they don't have a dealer, the "bonus" casino games like "Let it Ride" etc....... with the plastic plates and lights on the tables, and a video poker machine with the buttons.?

Kind of like the sound of that.

I'm a definite yes for the chips. If chips can be tracked/traced, then not only are chip counts exact at any given time, but they are traceable. That means no going south with chips and handing them off, and all sorts of collusion issues. And with all of the advances in technology today, they could easily implement proximity sensing on the tables from above to even know which serial #s are held by which seat at the table, etc. There is so far they could go to remove all possibilities of collusion, that cheating as far as chips are concerned would become non-existant. This is one case where I don't mind if Big Brother is watching (since I don't cheat and don't want to be cheated).

As far as the tables go, I hate the idea. I'm with BBB on this one. I want real cards in a casino and I want to play at home naked with electronic cards.

I know somebody who used to work at the Wynn Resort here in Vegas. From what I understand, they have the chip with a sensor in it. They also have a michine that looks like a microwave that you can load racks of chips in and it can tell you how much is there, and if any of the chips are fake or not theirs. But I agree Harrah's should do this for the WSOP, as it would be a drop in the bucket for them.

Yep I agree.. this is a fantastic Idea for the large tourneys..
Small ones also..
but of course there could be other implications.. if the microscopic technology. can be applied to the cards also.. lol