Four Winds casino in New Buffalo, Mich., was the first casino to launch with a WPT poker room sans dealers. All tables are PokerTek electronic tables, with players depositing and withdrawing to cards at an in-room cashier.
Players have a love/hate relationship with the tables. On the one hand, it doesn’t feel like a real poker game without the dealer controlling the table (not to mention no chips or cards). On the other hand, less rake and no tip is always good.
Mostly because of a delay in getting approved, Las Vegas hasn’t seen the poker e-tables yet, but by the end of this month, one casino will be converting to all dealer-less tables.
Excalibur informed dealers that they will close their poker room on Aug. 18, then reopen Aug. 21 with all e-tables. Floor staff will be kept to a minimum, and obviously — no dealers.
R.I.P., Excalibur. We remember you fondly when you were in the sportsbook area, we could get a free hotdog buffet in late afternoons, and we could spin the wheel.