POKERPRO

Has anybody tried out Pokerpro yet?
The poker table without dealers or chips, but with tabletop screens?
Some uk casino's already have them up and running.

I guess you have not heard of it yet.

http://http://www.pokertek.com/table.html

I personally think that this table is another pointless invention because with the computer screens it's just like playing online except you would get a few more tells.

But it would be interesting to see what other peoples opinions are.

Hey Zin...nah, haven't really heard anything about it and sure as heck haven't used it.

I have certainly heard of it, ZZ, but didn`t know it was already in use in the UK.

In truth, I barely play live any more, thanks to the ease and availability of online games. A grand total of once in the last two years, plus a half-dozen home games. So, I am far from being up to date on the B&M scene.

Yeah they are using them at Aspers in Newcastle and Laddies in Paddington.
Antonio Esfandiari reckons its the future of poker but to be honest, not too much he has to say excites me.
One of the plus sides to it for those that crave action is that you get to play about 50% more hands per hour then you would with a human dealer.

We have one setup in our innovation center at work. We're thinking about putting them in to our pubs, casinos and community gaming centers. I'd love to see one put in a local pub just to see how it does.

We're concerned about security issues though as we don't want the pub owners to have to deal with bad beat disputes etc.

I've used it a bit and like the idea. Playing online is great but I prefer a live game. However, they're not always easy to find. If a bunch of local pubs had these, it would be easy to find a live game.

Rab

Rabidus said:

We have one setup in our innovation center at work. We're thinking about putting them in to our pubs, casinos and community gaming centers. I'd love to see one put in a local pub just to see how it does.

We're concerned about security issues though as we don't want the pub owners to have to deal with bad beat disputes etc.

I've used it a bit and like the idea. Playing online is great but I prefer a live game. However, they're not always easy to find. If a bunch of local pubs had these, it would be easy to find a live game.

Rab

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Indeed it would be easier to find a live game Rab, I am unsure of how much the payments/gambling laws would stick their noses into it though.
From what I gather you can get a game started with just 2 players so that is a plus.

I'm just a little confused as to what exactly this is. Is this something where the players are in the same locale, except view their cards on a screen (i.e. virtually) versus real cards with an actual dealer?

Yes, its a flat top glass table that up to 10 players can participate in.
You pay your buy in via card into a slot for the value you need or wish to have.
Its electronic and works by touch screen sensitive means, its a live game without a dealer.
You can even conceal your hole cards with your hands ( each player has an individual screen ) and is recommended as it appears it is quite easy to see your near opponents hand otherwise.
There is a community screen in the middle of the table just like at any game.

Try this link
pokertek.com

My mind boggles at the posibilities.
With no cash on the table, and no cards, it could be any game. This would allow clandestine games to be played anywhere, anytime. At the flip of a switch, it could change to a game of old maid. Helpful if the heat appears.

dj11 said:

My mind boggles at the posibilities.
With no cash on the table, and no cards, it could be any game. This would allow clandestine games to be played anywhere, anytime. At the flip of a switch, it could change to a game of old maid. Helpful if the heat appears.

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I love your thought proccess DJ please have a plus rep.

I think I saw this in StarTrek Episode #37.

This is a new concept to me…never heard of it before. So, thanks to Stormy, I visited the website to see these new tables…and I have some thoughts:

Pros:

1) You will be able to play more hands per hour.
2) You only need two players to start a table…less waiting.
3) It will cut down on dealer/player errors such as miscounts, flipped cards, playing out of turn.
4) Did I mention that you will be able to play more hands per hour?

Cons:

1) You will be able to lose more hands per hour.
2) There will be fingerprints all over those screens…hey, could they use Nintendo controllers?
3) You will lose the ambiance of the ‘ole paper and clay.
4) Will other players be able to glimpse your hole cards more easily?
5) What if someone accidentally kicks out the electric plug?
6) What will the pros do with their hands and no chips?
7) Allins will be far less dramatic…chips falling off Ivey’s foot high stacks as he pushes allin.

Questions:

1) Will JuiceeQ’s email become JuiceeQ@TableSix.HiltonCasino?
2) Will ChuckTs be able to play WoW and Halo between hands?
3) Will Paulsson go on tilt because of those annoying popups promoting Harry and the Crooners in the Asian Lounge?
4) Will Coryan show up in his wife’s pink bathrobe…just like home?

I know when the invention of these things was first announced, the concern was that they would spread very rapidly.

From the standpoint of the cardroom/casino/whatever they are mega-attractive. Unlike human dealers, they don`t need a salary or a day off and they never get tired.

Although, as others have said here, they do have some advantages, this is surely a bad thing overall. What happened to the character of the game ?

That died many moons ago Eggy.

If it floods the pub market then it is fair game like any other touch screen machine from the past.
The fact that it incorporates up to nine other users against each other ups the interest.
If I stagger in to a pub near by and i see it in operation there is only one thing I will say after who tripped me over, and that is, deal me in.

I think if they are confined to pubs and similar places which do not currently employ a dealer and would not otherwise have a poker game, then that is fair enough. They offer an additional option, and if you don`t want to play you don`t have to.

My concern is that they might replace real dealers in existing cardrooms. I don`t feel that would be welcome at all.

I had heard about these and they where 'supposedly' going down a treat in the old US.

Aren't we all becoming a plugged in society now, sitting around the same table playing the same game against each other, pressing the screen after swiping your card to start.

Isnt it all a bit silly - just buy a pack of cards

We're putting three of these in the field this month. Unfortunately, they are going into casinos. I was really hoping they'd try them out in the pubs instead.

I'd rather they keep them out of casinos as I would hate to see a move way from a traditional dealer and clay chips. That's part of what makes life games so much more fun.

They have the PokerPros at the Hardrock Casino in Tampa,Fla. I've played them a couple of times. No dealers etc... The chips and cards are on the computer screens.. if you are use to live action tables its harder to read the players..its almost like playing at home.

chapeltuno said:

They have the PokerPros at the Hardrock Casino in Tampa,Fla. I've played them a couple of times. No dealers etc... The chips and cards are on the computer screens.. if you are use to live action tables its harder to read the players..its almost like playing at home.

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That's what I was afraid of.

Egon Towst said:

What happened to the character of the game ?

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The character OF the game changed to be the character IN the game.

Playing live with a dealer is way better, Its more fun even if there fuss and there stories to tell. Even though i like technology its everywhere these day i want to keep whats human, human. I also love the feel of the cards and the chip its part of the game.

I hope the rake will be a lot lower without live dealer.
Another problem is the game can be rigged easily now.