From
ShuffleMaster, these series of machines are called
Table Master, and no, Peter, they don't use live
dealers who are made to look computer generated,
but just a video representation of a dealer placed
at the center of a fully automated table game.
The
animated Table Master dealer makes eye contact
and speaks to players, which gives it a realistic
live table-like experience on games that include
Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Let It Ride, Dragon
Bonus Baccarat, Royal Match 21 Blackjack, and
Ultimate Texas Hold'em.
When
these cyber dealers are on a dead game they are
in tracking mode, and seem to be looking around
for some sucker, I mean player, and yes, Yours
Truly, to park their hind side in one of the five
player stations, but they actually can't respond
to any of your verbal commands.
Don't
waste your time asking the pretty ones out for
a date, nor can they understand your off-color
jokes, they/it can't hear you. But once playing
at the table they do verbally prompt you to bet
or fold, take insurance, or, depending on the
game, any other command needing a decision on
your part.
I
am a little worried about players who are responding
to the looks and personalities of these virtual
dealers. It's one thing to have an affection for
a machine that pays off, another when specific
dealers are developing their own love interest
following. I've sat next to players who wish their
wives weren't around.
Casinos
love Table Master video games because they can
offer these games at a fraction of the cost of
live tables -- no whining dealers to pay -- they
can be placed where live games are not legal,
they are dispute and misplay free, and here's
the hook, Peter, the one that affects your bankroll,
Table Master games nearly doubles the number of
hands played per hour. Called "incremental
game speed," the more hands you are exposed
to the built-in house advantage on any of the
Table Master games, the faster any of these machines
can wreak havoc on your bankroll.
So
even though the payoffs are effectively the same
as those of a live game, at least on the games
I've field tested, Blackjack and Tree Card Poker,
it's important to remember that speed kills in
a casino environment. The best thing to do here
is slow your play, that is until the dealer says,
"hey jerk, I ain't got all day."
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More
Columns By Mark Pilarski
Have a question? Ask Mark pilarski@markpilarski.com
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