[Rick Nebiolo]

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Po-jay-to, why do you think e-poker will catch on when nearly every other casino game has tried an e-version, with little success? It seems an electronic blackjack table would have the same advantages (more hands, no dealer errors) but nobody plays on them.

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What Jay is saying is that it will catch on when casino's present it as the only option for a particular game. At that point more people will use them and see the benefits. I happen to agree but I also hope that day never comes.

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I think it could work in a big room with other dealer dealt games provided the eRoom area is run well.

The linked to threads have more detail but some of the big problems were:

- A drop that was far too high (e.g. $4 plus $1 jackpot taken on any flop in a 1/2 blind NL game). During the first few weeks I saw many players question why the drop was the same as on the main floor * when the tables got at least 50% more hands per hour and the house doesn't have to pay a dealer. The standard response from eRoom management that "you save on dealers tips" didn't cut it from my observation. (* also note that Hollywood Park was already taking a one dollar or more higher drop than other clubs in the super small NL games)

- Poor/improper use of props. The eRoom had a VIP program paying 35 cents per hand but these VIPs were essentially props (I called them quasi-props in the linked posts) and moved around. Often they were spread out to start new games OF THE SAME TYPE AND LIMIT leaving existing games very short. At low blinds/limits regular customers simply won't play short and for good reason.

- Poor behavior of props. It wasn't hard to figure out who the props were. Some were OK/nice but a few didn't have a clue how to behave in a poker game. If you are going to have props you need well behaved ones.

Note that with electronics you don't have to pay 35 cents per hand dealt in. You can pay a smaller base per hand with bonuses for action. In other words an action prop should make more than a tight nitty prop.

As an aside, very few people had problems with the interface; it's easier than dialing a cell phone IMO. I also thought the social interaction was as good or better than a game with a dealer.

~ Rick