Beware of the Suffle Master Video Royal Match Blackjack machines...

There is just something off about these machines. Per Nevada law the game is supposed to simulate a real blackjack table but I'm not so sure it's completely legit.

My experience with these machines started in Laughlin in early 2010 where for probably the first 6 months the game was great. You could literally play for 5 or 6 hours and not win but not lose much either (this based on about 10 trips). The one in Laughlin had a minimum bet of $2 and BJ payout of 3 to 2.

But on a return trip I noticed that the machines had been revised (different dealers had been added). On the outside all the rules looked the same (same odds, same 6 decks, etc) only that since that revision over the past 12+ months my winnings have gone way down. I would say (unscientifically) from winning 40-45% probably down to 30-35%.

My on-line research has shown that most "experts" don't believe Shuttle Master would need to cheat (they already have the odds on their side) but when it comes to making money, you really shouldn't trust anyone. Also, since the game is electronic and thus programmed, you cannot rule out the possibility of human error either.

I have also read that it's just grapes, that because the game plays faster than a real table, it's easier to lose money faster. Well, if that were the case why have all the "major" casinos on the stip mostly gotten rid of these machines. I also visit Vegas quite often and I noticed that the shelf-life for these machines at the "major" casinos was very small as in only a few months. For the most part, these machines have been relegated to the Riviera, Circus-Circus and downtown casinos (and the ones I have seen @ MGM & Harrahs) only pay 6 to 5. But if it's easier to lose money, why would the major casinos not keep them on the floor? I doubt you could really say that they were stealing customers away from the real blackjack tables and it would seem reasonable that if the winning percentage from the machines was a little high that the big casinos wouldn't want the risk of a faulty game. Or maybe a lot of clients complained???

The bottom line for me is the game just does NOT seem to simulate a real blackjack table. For starters, the game busts less than 50% when it has a 15 or 16 showing. The dealer also has an unbelievable number of 4, 5 and 6 card draws where it does not bust. I have also noticed that when I bet more my winning percentage plummets and dealer blackjacks increase significantly (as in the number of hands I win not the win/loss amount). Either I am just very unlucky or something is just very fishy with these machines.

If you still don't buy any of my arguments, the biggest problem with this game is that you never know when it's going to reshuffle. I'm not a card counter but anyone who has played blackjack knows that you have great shutes and bad ones and its nice to know where you stand.

BTW, there is a new virtual blackjack machine made by a different company with a cartoon dealer. I have found this game to be much closer to the real thing. And whether you believe me or not, I would stay far away from these machines. I have won far more playing the tables.

Quote: amason0505

BTW, there is a new virtual blackjack machine made by a different company with a cartoon dealer. I have found this game to be much closer to the real thing. And whether you believe me or not, I would stay far away from these machines. I have won far more playing the tables.

Yes. "Dealer's Angels" by Aruze. A much better done virtual blackjack game. Believe it's only at the MGM still.

Start taking logs and present your findings. At my local machine, there was a VP machine with a bonus round. I played for about 30 minutes and did not qualify for the bonus round, losing about $70 in credits trying to qualify for the bonus round. I was convinced that the bonus was turned off and left in disgust. I played nearby and noticed that no one else was getting the bonus either.

I feel like a perv when playing that game.

Quote: amason0505

Well, if that were the case why have all the "major" casinos on the stip mostly gotten rid of these machines. I also visit Vegas quite often and I noticed that the shelf-life for these machines at the "major" casinos was very small as in only a few months. For the most part, these machines have been relegated to the Riviera, Circus-Circus and downtown casinos (and the ones I have seen @ MGM & Harrahs) only pay 6 to 5.

I think you're wrong about this. All these games at MGM properties pay 3:2, and over the course of the last two years or so, the number of machines at both CET and MGM properties have steadily been increasing. I was at MGM this weekend, and they had two (plus a ShuffleMaster 3CP game) and the Azure(?) version of the game. The last time I was at Luxor (maybe 6 months ago), they had four of them.

Since these machines started showing up I've ran about $1.2 million through them at MGM properties, and nothing has looked/felt remotely suspicious about the way the games played.

Quote: hogua

...and the Azure(?) version...

It is "Aruze."

Quote: CrystalMath

It is "Aruze."

Yes. That is correct

" For starters, the game busts less than 50% when it has a 15 or 16 showing. " And of course you rerecorded the number of times that happened ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Whether it is fair or is not... what is indisputably true is that your enjoyment is directly related to your perception of its fairness. If you think you're getting screwed, stop playing.

Quote: amason0505

For starters, the game busts less than 50% when it has a 15 or 16 showing.

Do you mean 5 or 6 showing? If so, the bust rate should be 42%.