New Game Layout Advice

I am designing the layout for my game and would very much appreciate your advice on a design feature. The last action a player makes is an optional (unforced) raise bet. There are 2 choices that I have not offered above. The first, capping the ante directly with the raise, is not wise, as it would allow the possibility of pinching or capping the ante. the second, placing the raise bet circle directly above the ante bet with respect to the rail, would allow players to move their hand directly over the ante bet in a natural manner, again providing for pinching or capping. So, if the choices are as above, and keeping in mind that I want this as simple and intuitive as possible, is there a best choice and why?

I am specifically interested in evaluating the raise on top of the hand. This is what 3CP does, and it's inscribed on the felt. It's also a habit hard to break for several of my test players, and mimics the move by many poker players to put a card protector on their hand. It was my original intent to put the raise below the ante, both to the left of the hand set rectangle. I'm still favoring that, as it doesn't force the dealer to slide the hand out from the chips in order to expose and pay/take the bet. But I also want an uncluttered layout, and that's one less element drawn on the felt, since it's contained within the hand rectangle. (There are 2 other bet circles, and one optional sidebet circle.) I would be especially grateful if those who deal carnival games would weigh in.

I made it possible to pick more than one above if, in your opinion, it genuinely doesn't matter or there are offsetting benefits. Thanks in advance!

How many players do you envision 5. 6. 7. ?

Maximum of 7. Good question, thanks.

7 is usually the max, but 5 seems to be in vogue now. Little difference in BJ hands played. 5 x 70 or 7 x 50. Hell of a difference in player comfort levels in some crowded casinos.

Quote: Buzzard

7 is usually the max, but 5 seems to be in vogue now. Little difference in BJ hands played. 5 x 70 or 7 x 50. Hell of a difference in player comfort levels in some crowded casinos.

Your point is well taken. I'm only recommending one hand per player, so it would get crowded in some casinos. I could easily make it 6 Maximum; I was using Blackjack as a model, but I'm certainly more comfortable at PGP with 6 maximum.

Will each player's hand be dealt with individually ala 3cp and discarded or will you pay each hand then sweep all the hands ala BJ?

McD: Could be worked either way, actually. Current table procedures call for resolve and clear each player from dealer's right to left as in other carnival games. But it might actually be more fun and more efficient to do the BJ sweep so players get a good look at all other hands. PGP also gets dealt as a sweep of the winners in some houses, since the envy bonus is in play there (though not on my game). Another good thought! Any debate on one vs. the other is also welcome.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more I like the sweep idea. It would be much more efficient for the dealer, rather than handling chips and cards simultaneously. One of the selling points of the game is the number of hands/hour that can be dealt; it's a very fast game. The payout is the longest internal segment, in part due to the mechanics. Definitely going to test the sweep procedure with my gang. Thanks!

Glad I could help, the sweep has to be the way to increase game speed and security.

Bare in mind if you go for a sweep (which you probably should) the distance from the dealer tray to the player's box (where the cards are) needs to be no more than 35 to 40 cm max otherwise the sweep will be too far for the average dealer to sweep effectively. Bare in mind also, if you chose the sweep method you will be struggling to get a 7 box game, 6 is probably the max, 5 boxes is ideal but not so to the casinos, you will probably end up with a 6 player game.

Quote: beachbumbabs

The payout is the longest internal segment, in part due to the mechanics.

That's the problem with a game like roulette, the
payout is often very long, it cuts down on the number
of spins per hour, which is money out of the casinos
pocket. BJ has very fast payouts, that's why they
achieve so many HPH. In a new game you're designing,
you should always have the payouts take as little
time as possible, its a real selling point to a casino. A
game like roulette would never make the cut today, its
way too slow and cumbersome. If not for it being
grandfathered in, there would be no such game.