automated poker table sighting - Tuolumne, CA

whiskeytown · #1 10-18-2007, 07:22 AM

FYI - heard from a family member who also plays fairly frequently - they've added poker to a casino close to home - it's one of the automated stand alone tables without a dealer -

you can find the casino and table model online (decided not to post here lest it be considering advertising) - - wasn't sure how many of these are being seen out in the wild, but their numbers are proliferating.

Black Oak Casino, in Tuolumne, CA -

RB

crashjr · #2 10-18-2007, 01:27 PM

Interesting. I guess there is something to do there besides going bowling now. If you don't want to play poker on electronic tables and you find yourself in the area, the bowling alley there is pretty nice, and there is a bar. . . .

I'll be there over Thanksgiving week, TR to follow.

Milky · #3 10-18-2007, 02:06 PM

From what I heard last time I played live these tables don't attract a lot of players and are generally frowned upon. I believe there are some at Folsom Lake Bowl in CA though I could be mistaken.

crashjr · #4 10-18-2007, 02:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
From what I heard last time I played live these tables don't attract a lot of players and are generally frowned upon. I believe there are some at Folsom Lake Bowl in CA though I could be mistaken.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are e-tables at FLB and they have been successful. It is likely that the Black Oak tables will be successful too - the closest live poker for everyone in the Sonora CA area. Otherwise, it is a trek to Manteca for a good NL game, Mike's in Oakdale for low limit LO8/LHE, Jackson Rancheria, Turlock Poker Room, or Merced. All of those rooms are 50 minutes + drive from the Black Oak casino.

My suspicion is that the e-tables are best implemented in places where there is no live dealer alternative, and the closest competitor with live dealer poker is inconveniently far away for the casual player.

There used to be a lowball game in downtown Sonora back in the day, but that card room closed well before the poker boom.

whiskeytown · #5 10-18-2007, 08:23 PM

my mom makes the trip to Jackson Rancheria for bingo every Monday - did that - it was more fun then poker [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

RB

Patton4 · #6 11-25-2007, 05:45 AM

Just got back from Black Oak and played on the automated tables. My thoughts:

I missed the hell out of having some chips to shuffle... will bring my own next time to keep busy in between hands.

There was much less table chatter as people seem to really focus on their little screens.

The no-tip factor is obviously positive for long term.

The game ran faster than a normal live game but I'm sure one or two imbeciles who don't know how to use their screens could make it slow.

If you get bored easily while playing on-line... these automated games could be hell for you.

Fish seemed much more willing to push all-in and make larger bets and calls when they didn't have to actually push their chip stack into the pot.

All in all it was a positive and profitable experience, but nowhere near as enjoyable as a real live game. Profitability will bring me back, but I'm not so sure the fish will stick around, especially the "I just wanna have a good time" fish. Unfortunately casinos will realize that not having to pay dealers and the faster rake will be the way to go. An employee at Black Oak told me that the Harrah's company has already ordered 400 of them.

fatshark · #7 11-25-2007, 08:18 AM

How much business were they getting and at what times? Just curious if they are filling the seats or what. I was going to go out there and check it out but wanna make sure it is worth the drive. Also, what was the buy-in and blind structure?

Patton4 · #8 11-25-2007, 03:19 PM

[ QUOTE ]
How much business were they getting and at what times? Just curious if they are filling the seats or what. I was going to go out there and check it out but wanna make sure it is worth the drive. Also, what was the buy-in and blind structure?

[/ QUOTE ]

There was a $20+2 sit&go going when we got there, a 2/4 limit omaha hi/lo game, a 1-1 $50 max buy no-limit game, and a 1-2 $200 max buy no-limit game. Later they used two of the tables for a $16 qualifier for a bigger tournament in January for the Reno WPT.

Both the no-limit games were filled the whole time we were there (10PM-1AM). I didn't notice if the 2-4 omaha game was full, and it took them awhile to fill the satellite.

I think very few people know about the poker tables or think that they are only offering the table game version of hold em'. I think if more people know about it, they'll start to do real well with the tables.

aaronk56 · #9 11-25-2007, 04:11 PM

I played last night at the automated tables which Mohegan Sun recently installed. I think they have about 6 tables and they were spreading 1-2 No limit on two or three, some 3-6 limit, Omaha Hi-lo and they had some 50 + 10 SNG going off. They seemed to have a pretty good crowd with most of the tables always over half full. I played 1-2 no limit for about 4 hours and the table was full about half of the time. The seat charge is $5.00 per half hour. And whoo-ooo ended up ahead the princely sum of $43 for the night.

pfapfap · #10 11-25-2007, 05:48 PM

It's coming... sooner than most want to accept.

It's not just dealer wages, it's chip runners, cost and storage of chips, those who make the schedules, the security guards who empty the boxes throughout the day, etc etc etc.

And every "waaah, I want to be a douche and angleshoot and argue about nitty BS" thread on here is another nail...