Regional Success

Why are some games popular in some "regions" but not others? The biggest example is Baccarat in Macau which was discussed in another thread, but what about regionally in the U.S.? Some Blackjack variants seem very popular in some areas, while in others the same table sits empty. Is it the marketing? The players?

This is a very good topic, especially as a side bar to the table games thread...

21+3 has had a huge following in the Midwest for sometime, but I've now seen it more and more in Vegas.

(As mentioned in the TG thread): Pai Gow Mania was popular in St Louis but never really gained any traction elsewhere.

Double Attack Blackjack is an AC staple at the big casinos, but is very difficult to find elsewhere.

Pai Gow (Tiles) is a requirement for casinos in the Northeast.

Texas Shootout was a staple in Kansas City casinos for a long time, with Ameristar having 2-3 tables.

Pai Gow Poker is popular everywhere, but Council Bluffs, IA has a higher percentage of tables than normal.

Those are the regions I'm most familiar with...

21+3 is in just about vlevery ms gulf
Coast casino.

What you're saying is even true with traditional games. Throughout my research in analyzing table games, I've found that roulette is far more popular in the Western U.S. while Craps is more popular in the South. I believe some of this lies with what is familiar to players and what is considered a "good" game coupled with what games are legal to be played in the jurisdiction. However, with the rise of many newer table games and variations, I think it's now more about marketing.

Spanish 21 is another example of a phenomenal regional success in WA. It is a must have game in even the smallest of table game pits. In an 8 table pit you would likely have 1 S21 if the pit was in a WA Tribal Casino or Card Room.

Larger Casinos will have an S21 table for about every 3-4 regular BJ tables so in a 20 table pit where you might see 8 BJ tables, you would have 2 S21's. I have seen a 48 table pit with 16 BJ tables and 6 S21 tables.

I don't think the game is any bigger than it is in WA State.

The owner of the game is Masque Publishing and the appear to be headquartered in CO so I don't know how the game got so popular in WA.

Along with what Tiltpoul said, Spanish 21 used to have a reasonable following in the early part of the decade in St. Louis, but it also eventually died out. And 21+3 is huge in St. Louis, it's close to 50/50 with 21+3 tables and regular BJ. Also Mississippi Stud is pretty solid in STL and most of the Midwest for that matter.

Quote: Paradigm

Spanish 21 is another example of a phenomenal regional success in WA. It is a must have game in even the smallest of table game pits. In an 8 table pit you would likely have 1 S21 if the pit was in a WA Tribal Casino or Card Room.

Larger Casinos will have an S21 table for about every 3-4 regular BJ tables so in a 20 table pit where you might see 8 BJ tables, you would have 2 S21's. I have seen a 48 table pit with 16 BJ tables and 6 S21 tables.

I don't think the game is any bigger than it is in WA State.

This could be argued a few ways. Spanish 21 is still very important to the mix in Atlantic City, and thus the Eastern PA casinos. It's not unusual in those casinos to have two or three Spanish tables. It is also a factor in Council Bluffs (though not as much) and in Indiana casinos. WA state may have the biggest influence, but it still has a lot of traction in other markets. Surprisingly, it's never been important down in Tunica; then again, there are only three PGP tables down in 9 casinos in Tunica!

Quote: tringlomane

Along with what Tiltpoul said, Spanish 21 used to have a reasonable following in the early part of the decade in St. Louis, but it also eventually died out. And 21+3 is huge in St. Louis, it's close to 50/50 with 21+3 tables and regular BJ. Also Mississippi Stud is pretty solid in STL and most of the Midwest for that matter.

Mississippi Stud is no longer a regional game. It has hit it big EVERYWHERE. As of right now, MS Stud is as essential, IF NOT MORE ESSENTIAL, than 3CP. However, like all games with high variance, it will die a death eventually, being replaced by the next great game. Other than Atlantic City (and PA), MS Stud has a table in EVERY casino I've been to, even small ones. Most casinos have added second tables because of its growing popularity.