New Table Game Frenzy / The Plethora

I had to stop and take a look at the landscape of The New Table games environment.
There is a bit of a New Table Game Frenzy going on....
Working as a new game designer, I was stunned when I stopped to tally the amount of recent releases of New table games.
Knowing that the "Real Estate" of the casino floor is finite, especially in the table games pit area, I do not think that the majority of the new games coming out will obviously be around two years out. I cannot see the average casino pit being anything other than BJ, Roulette, Craps, Pai Gow, and "some" new side games.
The only new games that really made it with any permanence after an initial run are:
- Three-card Poker,
- Crazy-4 Poker/Four Card Poker,
- Pai Gow Poker,
- Blackjack Switch,
- and the "general" Poker carnival game area that's always swapping one game for another, vying for that extra spot on the floor: Texas Hold 'em Bonus, Ultimate Texas Hold 'em, Deuces Wild Hold 'em Fold 'em, Let it Ride, Carribean stud.
Instant Classics are hard to come by, and the rule is generally that many people will get their "15 minutes of fame," to quote Andy Warhol. To be permanent, a game can't be good, merely. It has to be stunning and compulsive - Ava Gardner at 16, let's say - an Eleven, beyond a head-turning "10."

I looked up the word "Plethora," to mean "an overabundance."
If I had a crystal ball, I wouldn't look for how the world would end; don't know, don't wanna know. I'd look at the table games pit of an average casino ten years out, and count off the table games.
Just off the top of my head, I click off, in the past year or so, the following were installed:
1. Three Card Blackjack.
2. Easy Over Under (Red Dog clone)
3. Mini-Tex
4. Alphabetic Roulette
5. Zero
6. High Card Flush
7. Blackjack Burn
8. Never Bust BJ
9. Football Dice
10. Scossa
11. Break Point Poker
12. Triple Attack Blackjack
13. Texas Hold 'em Plus
14. Rupert's Island Draw.
15. Hi-Low Pai Gow
The number that'll have a critical mass of 40 or more installs, versus those that either crash-and-burn or exist on life support is a real rough ratio.
Add to that those that made it big then vanished, the "Wesley Snipes" of table games: Mini-Pai Gow, Let it Ride, Carribean Stud, Deuces Wild (despite ressurections).

And With countless more to come.
Questions:
1. What does it take to permanently make it - that'll make players, who vote with their wallets, say: "That game has to be in this casino - or you will actually lose my business."
2. What expectations does a budding game designer have? Similar to a budding actor or screenwriter?
3. As for patent lawyers and mathematicians - who hope that their clients break through, thereby solidifying their business services operation.

I know that for any game designer who got an install, then had a game pulled, it's like hearing a doctor tell you outside an Emergency Room, "Really Sorry Sir, we couldn't save your son, - my heart goes out to you." Ouch.

There's Derek Webb (of Three Card Poker), there's Roger Snow (of Shufflemaster), and there's the rest of us.
I'm not resting - or confident - until the game is over.

You left out Rapid Roulette and Roulette Evolution, or aren't those table games.

Quote: Paigowdan

11. Break Point Poker

I think its called "Break Poker", not "Break Point Poker". let's get it right!!! How about POKERJACK, BONUS ACEY-DEUCEY, WILD 52, NO FLOP PINEAPPLE HOLD’EM, 3 DICE FOOTBALL, and Royal 89, to name a few more. All are approved in the market place.

Quote: EvenBob

You left out Rapid Roulette and Roulette Evolution, or aren't those table games.

Yes, Bob, you're right, they are games and are advancement in these games.

Quote: RoyalBJ

I think its called "Break Poker", not "Break Point Poker". let's get it right!!! How about POKERJACK, BONUS ACEY-DEUCEY, WILD 52, NO FLOP PINEAPPLE HOLD’EM, 3 DICE FOOTBALL, and Royal 89, to name a few more. All are approved in the market place.

Yes, again fellas, the list is huge, large than the "off-the cuff" official initial list.

Quote: Paigowdan

Add to that those that made it big then vanished, the "Wesley Snipes" of table games: Mini-Pai Gow, Let it Ride, Carribean Stud, Deuces Wild (despite ressurections).

I was under the impression that Let It Ride and Carribean Stud were doing OK, to the point of having gotten over the "survivability hump."

Quote: Paigowdan

1. What does it take to permanently make it - that'll make players, who vote with their wallets, say: "That game has to be in this casino - or you will actually lose my business."

With all the people who do little more than shrug before sitting at a 6:5 BJ table - or worse, a BJ table with a 25¢ ante - I don't think there is an answer to that question.

On the topic of what's left out:

Rapid Craps
7-14-21

And whatever happened to the Backgammon based game at O'Shea's?

BTW If Vp counts as slots, there have been a few new games, too: Quick Quads, A raft of Super Times Pay games, Dream Card, Ace Invaders, Spin Poker, it's a veritable menagerie of VP out there.

Nareed,
Rapid craps is just an automation of the same game - but
7-14-21 is a brandy-brand new game.
Does anyone know how 7-14-21 doing?

I tried googling those 15 games to see how they're played. However, some of them seem so obscure that I'm struggling to find details of them all. So any descriptions or pointers to sites associated with them would be most appreciated.

Quote: THESWEENEY

I tried googling those 15 games to see how they're played. However, some of them seem so obscure that I'm struggling to find details of them all. So any descriptions or pointers to sites associated with them would be most appreciated.

So have I - and yes, some are obscure, NOT noteworthy.
Googling is great, sometimes it requires "DEEP Googling..." (AND/OR/NOT/+/-)
As a game designer, I constantly track new games and side bets as competition, - or just to stay very current.
Oftentimes, I either:
1. Work the phone, the old Rolodex: "Jim - Dan here. What's new? - You hear anything about new game xyz?...Who's the distributor, or is it self-distributed? Where's the install?"
2. Troll "new game break-in casinos:" Downtown, Boulder station, etc.
3. ALWAYS check with WOO main site: Updates, game info, Readers submitted questions, etc. HUGE resource, - not meaning to log-roll.
Mike - what do you do when they don't come to you? I assume You seldom say, "Where that THAT new game come from??!!"

Dan Lubin I looked up the word "Plethora," to mean "an overabundance."

Then can I assume you never saw the 1986 movie" Three Amigos " ??

Jefe: I have put many beautiful pinatas in the storeroom, each of them filled with little suprises.
El Guapo: Many pinatas?
Jefe: Oh yes, many!
El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
Jefe: A what?
El Guapo: A *plethora*.
Jefe: Oh yes, you have a plethora.
El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
Jefe: Why, El Guapo?
El Guapo: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora.
Jefe: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?

Bravo!!! What a lovely story.

Quote: Nareed

And whatever happened to the Backgammon based game at O'Shea's?

I asked about that game at O'Sheas recently. I don't remember the exact words of the dealer but something along the lines that it crashed and burned. Same as the football game.

Quote: THESWEENEY

I tried googling those 15 games to see how they're played.

Could we not find all and every game on https://wizardofodds.com/? I wonder how Wizard decide what game to put up and what not. Perhaps a posting fee is needed. After all, it's a fantastic site, everyone looks at it.

Quote: Paigowdan

Googling is great, sometimes it requires "DEEP Googling..." (AND/OR/NOT/+/-)
As a game designer, I constantly track new games and side bets as competition, - or just to stay very current.

How about the new game's that are approved in Nevada? Do you regularly read the rules of the latest game? The total is over 600 games.

For instance "Birds and fish" is a version of blackjack

EFFECTIVE JULY 26, 2011

15-Jul-2011	BIRDS AND FISH
8-Jul-2011	EMPEROR'S CHALLENGE PAI GOW POKER - VERSION 3
14-Jun-2011	FLOP POKER BONUS
7-Jun-2011	MINI PAI GOW POKER – VERSION 2
6-Jun-2011	2 WAY WINNER - COMMUNITY BONUS
17-May-2011	PROSPERITY BACCARAT
6-May-2011	BUST ME
6-May-2011	QUARTERBACK HOLD'EM
29-Apr-2011	VERSION 2
18-Apr-2011	SINGLES
8-Apr-2011	STRAIGHTS AND PAIRS BLACKJACK
31-Mar-2011	COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS BONUS SIDE BET – VERSION 2
24-Mar-2011	BONUS ACEY-DEUCEY
21-Mar-2011	RUNNER-RUNNER – VERSION 2
18-Mar-2011	HIT AND RUN PROGRESSIVE – VERSION 2
16-Mar-2011	COPY CAT – VERSION 2
16-Mar-2011	DEALER BUST 21
7-Mar-2011	FIVE STAR STUD
3-Mar-2011	MEGA ROLL
11-Feb-2011	BAD BEAT BLACKJACK PROGRESSIVE
11-Feb-2011	DEUCES WILD HOLD’EM FOLD’EM STUD POKER – VERSION 4
3-Feb-2011	ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD’EM PROGRESSIVE – VERSION 2
27-Jan-2011	2 WAY WINNER
14-Jan-2011	STRAIGHTS AND PAIRS
6-Jan-2011	THREE CARD POKER – 6 CARD BONUS – VERSION 2
17-Dec-2010	COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS BONUS SIDE BET
16-Dec-2010	TRIPLE ATTACK BLACKJACK
9-Dec-2010	EMPEROR’S CHALLENGE PAI GOW POKER – VERISON 2
8-Dec-2010	TEXAS HOLD’EM PLUS DELUXE
23-Nov-2010	SHORTIE
18-Nov-2010	BREAKDOWN BLACKJACK
10-Nov-2010	IMPERIAL PAI GOW POKER
16-Sep-2010	CASINO BACKGAMMON
10-Sep-2010	WILD SIX CARD DRAW POKER – VERSION 5
20-Aug-2010	BLACKJACK SWITCH PROGRESSIVE
17-Aug-2010	RED FLEX BET – VERSION 2
9-Aug-2010	HILOW BLACKJACK
29-Jul-2010	PROSPERITY BONUS
27-Jul-2010	INSTANT 18
9-Jul-2010	SIC BO PAI GOW
9-Jul-2010	SIC BO PAI GOW POKER
8-Jul-2010	ONE EYED JACKS
7-Jul-2010	REPLAY BET – VERSION 2
25-Jun-2010	COPY CAT
23-Jun-2010	RUNNER-RUNNER
17-Jun-2010	FAN-TAN-ASTIC
11-Jun-2010	COLORS – VERSION 2
3-Jun-2010	SHOW N TELL HOLD’EM POKER
27-May-2010	HI-LOW PAI GOW POKER
27-May-2010	HI-LOW PAI GOW POKER – VERSION 2
26-May-2010	ROYAL TWENTIES– VERSION 4
20-May-2010	DOUBLE ATTACK BLACKJACK
19-May-2010	ACEY DEUCEY – 21
14-May-2010	HI-LOW PAI GOW TILES
14-May-2010	HI-LOW PAI GOW TILES – VERSION 2
14-May-2010	PAI GOW POW
23-Apr-2010	REPLAY BET
15-Apr-2010	PROGRESSIVE PAI GOW POKER – G3 EDITION – VERSION 2
8-Apr-2010	PUREBLEND 21
8-Apr-2010	CHANCE BLACKJACK – VERSION 3
8-Apr-2010	UPCARD LUCK 21 – VERSION 2
2-Apr-2010	RED FLEX BET
26-Mar-2010	BLACKJACK 3
26-Mar-2010	BONANZA PAI GOW – VERSION 4
10-Mar-2010	BLACKJACK 99 – VERSION 3
10-Mar-2010	ROYAL MATCH 21 – VERSION 4
10-Mar-2010	WILD SIX CARD DRAW POKER – VERSION 4
12-Feb-2010	OPPOSITE BLACKJACK
4-Feb-2010	LUCKY LUCKY FLOP
29-Jan-2010	ABC BACCARAT SIDE BET
29-Jan-2010	UPPERCUT ROULETTE
28-Jan-2010	BIG SHOT BLACKJACK
19-Jan-2010	BAD BEAT BLACKJACK – VERSION 4
6-Jan-2010	EXTREME 21 WITH LUCKY LUCKY
6-Jan-2010	LET IT RIDE – 5 CARD BONUS (DEQ)
6-Jan-2010	MISSISSIPPI STUD – 5 CARD HAND BONUS
18-Dec-2009	SUITED ROYALS – VERSION 2
16-Dec-2009	BURN BONUS POKER
16-Dec-2009	GUARANTEED PLAY BLACKJACK
10-Dec-2009	LUCKY LUCKY PROGRESSIVE BONUS – G3 EDITION
9-Dec-2009	EZ PAI GOW POKER
2-Dec-2009	MINI PAI GOW POKER – VERSION 3
20-Nov-2009	FORTUNE PAI GOW POKER PROGRESSIVE – VERSION 3
10-Nov-2009	THREE CARD HARD HAND BLACKJACK: DOUBLE BET BONUS
6-Nov-2009	EZ POINT
5-Nov-2009	BLACKJACK TIE – VERSION 2
15-Oct-2009	SKINS BLACKJACK
15-Oct-2009	SUPERSPLIT 21 – VERSION 2
15-Oct-2009	ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD’EM DEALER BONUS
8-Oct-2009	IN BETWEEN
2-Oct-2009	ASIA POKER – VERSION 2
30-Sep-2009	DOUBLE DRAW BLACKJACK
30-Sep-2009	THREE CARD POKER DEALER BONUS
24-Sep-2009	CRAZY 4 POKER – DEALER BONUS
24-Sep-2009	FOUR CARD POKER DEALER BONUS
24-Sep-2009	KING’S RANSOM – G3 EDITION
24-Sep-2009	WILD SIX CARD DRAW POKER – VERSION 3
17-Sep-2009	DOUBLE BACK JACK
17-Sep-2009	TWO CARDS HIGH
25-Aug-2009	MATCH THE COLOR
20-Aug-2009	I LOVE THE 4TH OF JULY
20-Aug-2009	LUCKY LUCKY SIDE BET – SINGLE DECK
13-Aug-2009	FORTUNE TELLER BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
13-Aug-2009	PROGRESSIVE PAI GOW POKER – G3 EDITION
8-Jul-2009	DEAD MAN’S HAND BLACKJACK – VERSION 3
18-Jun-2009	KING’S BOUNTY – VERSION 2
12-Jun-2009	FIRE BET – VERSION 2
12-Jun-2009	LUCKY LUCKY SIDE BET – VERSION 4
11-Jun-2009	BAD BEAT BLACKJACK – VERSION 3
11-Jun-2009	SUPERSPLIT 21
3-Jun-2009	CARIBBEAN STUD MULTI-GAME LINK
3-Jun-2009	CRAZY 4 POKER PROGRESSIVE MULTI-GAME LINK
3-Jun-2009	FOUR CARD POKER PROGRESSIVE MULTI-GAME LINK
3-Jun-2009	LET IT RIDE PROGRESSIVE MULTI-GAME LINK
3-Jun-2009	MISSISSIPPI STUD PROGRESSIVE MULTI-GAME LINK
3-Jun-2009	TEXAS HOLD'EM BONUS PROGRESSIVE MULTI-GAME LINK
3-Jun-2009	ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD’EM PROGRESSIVE MULTI-GAME LINK
2-Jun-2009	PAI GOW THRILL
29-May-2009	CHAMPION POKER – VERSION 6
18-May-2009	NATURAL NINES BONUS
11-May-2009	3 HAND HOLD'EM – VERSION 2
1-May-2009	BLACKJACK 99 – VERSION 2
1-May-2009	2 FISTED POKER 21
24-Apr-2009	ROCK’N ROLL DICE
21-Apr-2009	NO BUST BUSTER 21
16-Apr-2009	FORTUNE TELLER BLACKJACK
10-Apr-2009	MISSISSIPPI STUD PROGRESSIVE
9-Apr-2009	THREE CARD POKER – 6 CARD BONUS
7-Apr-2009	2 – 5 – 7 POKER
6-Apr-2009	CRAZY 4 POKER BONUS
6-Apr-2009	FORTUNE PAI GOW POKER PROGRESSIVE – VERSION 2
6-Apr-2009	FOUR CARD POKER BONUS
23-Mar-2009	BLACKJACK TIE
23-Mar-2009	PUSH YOUR LUCK – G3 EDITION
20-Mar-2009	BACCARAT DOUBLE WAR
20-Mar-2009	PIGGYBACK ROULETTE
19-Mar-2009	HEADSTART HOLD ‘EM BONUS BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
19-Mar-2009	HEADSTART HOLD ‘EM BONUS BACCARAT – VERSION 2
19-Mar-2009	QUICK DRAW HOLD’EM BONUS – VERSION 2
11-Mar-2009	SUPER HEDGE 21 – VERSION 2
9-Mar-2009	BUSTER BLACKJACK
20-Feb-2009	ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD ‘EM BONUS
17-Feb-2009	HIT AND RUN PROGRESSIVE
5-Feb-2009	TWO CARD ACTION BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
29-Jan-2009	YIN-YANG PAI GOW POKER
20-Jan-2009	KING’S BOUNTY
19-Jan-2009	THREE CARD HARD HAND BLACKJACK
16-Jan-2009	BET THE SET 21 PROGRESSIVE
15-Jan-2009	KING’S BOUNTY PROGRESSIVE
14-Jan-2009	PAIR BET BLACKJACK
13-Jan-2009	BUSTER BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
12-Jan-2009	UP-CARD LUCK 21
9-Jan-2009	3 CARD HOLD’EM - VERSION 2
19-Dec-2008	HEADSTART HOLD ‘EM BONUS BLACKJACK
19-Dec-2008	HEADSTART HOLD ‘EM BONUS BACCARAT
19-Dec-2008	QUICK DRAW HOLD’EM BONUS
18-Dec-2008	3 HAND HOLD'EM
17-Dec-2008	PROGRESSIVE TEXAS HOLD’EM BONUS POKER
11-Dec-2008	SUPER HEDGE 21 - VERSION 3
2-Dec-2008	THREE CARD POKER BONUS
2-Dec-2008	THREE CARD POKER BONUS
21-Nov-2008	3 CARD HOLD’EM
20-Nov-2008	TRIPLE ACTION HOLD’EM
18-Nov-2008	BAD BEAT BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
18-Nov-2008	COLORS
3-Nov-2008	THREE CARD POKER MINI ROYAL EDITION – VERSION 1
3-Nov-2008	THREE CARD POKER MINI ROYAL EDITION – VERSION 2
16-Oct-2008	CRAZY 4 POKER PROGRESSIVE (5 CARD HAND BONUS)
16-Oct-2008	PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT BACCARAT – VERSION 2
16-Oct-2008	TEXAS HOLD’EM BONUS PROGRESSIVE (5 CARD HAND BONUS)
16-Oct-2008	THREE CARD POKER PROGRESSIVE (5 CARD HAND BONUS)
16-Oct-2008	ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD’EM PROGRESSIVE (5 CARD HAND BONUS)
26-Sep-2008	WYNN PAIR BET
24-Sep-2008	CHANCE BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
19-Sep-2008	CARIBBEAN STUD 2 – G3 EDITION
19-Sep-2008	ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD’EM PROGRESSIVE – G3 EDITION
18-Sep-2008	PROGRESSIVE TEXAS HOLD’EM – G3 EDITION
16-Sep-2008	CARIBBEAN STUD 1 – G3 EDITION
16-Sep-2008	CRAZY 4 POKER PROGRESSIVE – G3 EDITION
16-Sep-2008	FORTUNE PAI GOW POKER PROGRESSIVE – G3 EDITION
16-Sep-2008	FOUR CARD POKER PROGRESSIVE – G3 EDITION
16-Sep-2008	LET IT RIDE PROGRESSIVE – G3 EDITION
16-Sep-2008	PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT BACCARAT – G3 EDITIONS
16-Sep-2008	THREE CARD POKER PROGRESSIVE – G3 EDITION
10-Sep-2008	ROYAL MATCH 21 PROGRESSIVE – VERSION 2
4-Sep-2008	WILD SIX CARD DRAW POKER – DRAW BONUS
31-Aug-2008	CRAZY 4 POKER PROGRESSIVE
20-Aug-2008	MAXIDRAW
20-Aug-2008	ULTIMATE TEXAS HOLD’EM PROGRESSIVE
31-Jul-2008	ANTE UP 21- POKER BONUS
31-Jul-2008	BAD BEAT BLACKJACK
31-Jul-2008	CASINO WAR PROGRESSIVE
31-Jul-2008	FOUR CARD POKER PROGRESSIVE
31-Jul-2008	KING’S RANSOM BLACKJACK
31-Jul-2008	LET IT RIDE PROGRESSIVE
31-Jul-2008	PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT BACCARAT
31-Jul-2008	PUSH IT UP
31-Jul-2008	THREE CARD POKER PROGRESSIVE
28-Jul-2008	SUPER 20’S BACCARAT
24-Jul-2008	ASIA POKER
14-Jul-2008	ROYAL MATCH 21 PROGRESSIVE
3-Jul-2008	PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT BLACKJACK
3-Jul-2008	211 POKER
19-Jun-2008	2nd CHANCE BLACKJACK
6-Jun-2008	LATE BET BACCARAT
22-May-2008	FRENZY 4 POKER
22-May-2008	ROYAL HOLD ‘EM POKER
5-May-2008	MACAU BACCARAT
5-May-2008	THREE CARD POKER PLUS
2-May-2008	POKER BONUS BLACKJACK
2-May-2008	POKER BONUS BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
30-Apr-2008	TRIPLE UP 21
29-Apr-2008	HARD PASS CRAPS
8-Apr-2008	MONEY SUITS 21
27-Mar-2008	LONESTAR CRAPS – VERSION 2
24-Mar-2008	WIN SUM BONUS BACCARAT
20-Mar-2008	CALIFORNIA DRAW POKER
28-Feb-2008	TWENTY PLUS BLACKJACK – VERSION 2
28-Jan-2008	CARIBBEAN STUD POKER G3 EDITION

Frank, With 600 approved games, I can get lost...
If you figure that there are only a few dozen different games that are live or active, only a small percentage of approved games are actually "live games in use."
I consider:
1. Installs - is the game live somewhere?
2. Distributor - did a distributor pick up the game with intent to distribute?
3. Press - is there an article or notice of the game?

Quote: Paigowdan

Frank, With 600 approved games, I can get lost...
If you figure that there are only a few dozen different games that are live or active, only a small percentage of approved games are actually "live games in use."
I consider:
1. Installs - is the game live somewhere?
2. Distributor - did a distributor pick up the game with intent to distribute?
3. Press - is there an article or notice of the game?

I am surprised that the NGC does not publish the rules for each game. How do you know you aren't reinventing someone else's game? All you know is that someone has approved a game called "birds and fishes" and it's a variant of blackjack. That doesn't tell you anything.

Frank -
Absolutely Very true!
You have to track down the patents on USPTO.gov - and read the Claims section,
- or find an install where it is played,
-or find an online rules/"How to play" card.

Or, if Mike S. has it posted at WOO, - you know!

Edit: pretty much the primary source of the up-and-coming new table games that DO get an install - at least one install - is:
www.wizardofodds.com.
If it doesn't make it that far, then it's just not on the radar....

[double post hiccup]

Quote: Wizard

I asked about that game at O'Sheas recently. I don't remember the exact words of the dealer but something along the lines that it crashed and burned. Same as the football game.

Good. I might have been tempted to play :)

Quote: pacomartin

I am surprised that the NGC does not publish the rules for each game.

I didn't know that, but am surprised for a different reason.

Shouldn't that kind of info be available to any gambler who asks?


In A.C. (and perhaps elsewhere) the Casino Control Commission has a window / desk / counter / whatever in every casino with a very bored looking person manning it. They all have a rack of rule cards right there, or on the wall next to the window. I think there's a message there....

There were exactly ZERO small independent game inventors showing any new games at 2013 G2E.

Just saying !

The barriers to entry are always difficult whenever the entry-path is filled with lawyers or regulators.

Most casinos would love a simple game that only they could offer so that a casino could "capture" customers rather than relying on the casino's employees to be polite, friendly ambassadors at all times.

The problem with some games is that no matter how simple one person thinks it is, others simply find it unappealingly complex.

Innovation is wonderful. It grinds away at casino deadwood while also grinding away at innovators.

Casinos have bottom lines and MBA-types who would just love to latch onto the next world wide gambling craze. Consider the M Resort located Half Way to California, in Siberia, in the middle of Nowhere, etc. The terms of the acquisition were convoluted but in effect it involve a song, a dance and some nimble approaches to foreign bankers by Penn National. The result was the acquisition of a brand new, super clean, Upscale-Locals casino with a pre-existing emphasis on Great Food and Great Booze.

Look at all the changes made. A swimming pool, free rock concerts, two restaurants relocated, slot machines that seem to dance around each night to new locations, some new games, new table limits, lots of comped rooms to instate players, etc. etc.

You get a brand new casino for a song and a dance and right away: you start fiddling with it. Is Innovation good? Of course it is, but after all those innovations someone still thinks he has the ultimate innovation that will improve their bottom line instantly.

Casinos know the path will be long and hard for an independent game inventor, but casinos always know that if some other casino offers a new game, it may take off. No one wants their competitor to be making the headlines.

I had missed this thread on my back-reading. Wow, that's intimidating stuff, PGD. I genuinely had no idea there were that many games licensed for use just in Nevada, though it appears many are variations of established games that needed to be evaluated again in the whole prior to being licensed. Still quite intimidating, especially the discussion among knowledgable people about how many of them came and went; and they're probably a small subset of those that didn't even get that far. It's entirely possible that, had I read this thread before I went on the Wonderland tour, I might not have had the nerve to follow the rabbit.

Ignorance is bliss. lol at myself.

Re: G2E. It cost a crazy amount of money for an independent to show at that exhibition, and the tables offered were on some back-alley I never did find. I can hardly blame anyone else for not doing it; had I been ready for it development-wise, I still would have had to swallow hard to pony up, though the G2E sponsors did have tiered pricing to try and let independents in the door.

OTOH, Raving did end up with 23 exhibited table games in competition, and Galaxy and SHFL showed about 8 others between them. So, even though some of those were re-works and re-entries from previous years, the spirit lives on.

Raving only had 21 games total in 2012 (as I was told by BNP Media rep) including Galaxy's entry that year.

I had the 2013 Raving number at 31 total games (similar to Babs) but Galaxy had 4 games and SHFL had 2 [one of which was a recently acquired "indie game" :-)].

In 2012, Galaxy only had HCF and SHFL wasn't present.

So "indie games" went from 20 (in 2012) to 26 (in 2013) at Raving according to my count.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

I didn't know that, but am surprised for a different reason.

Shouldn't that kind of info be available to any gambler who asks?


In A.C. (and perhaps elsewhere) the Casino Control Commission has a window / desk / counter / whatever in every casino with a very bored looking person manning it. They all have a rack of rule cards right there, or on the wall next to the window. I think there's a message there....

I don't know when NGC changed their requirements. However, I do know that in 2012 it started requiring rules to be added into the application for new games as well as variations. Additionally, I believe there is an Excel spreadsheet on their website with each authorized game listed. On that spreadsheet there are some links added to the newer games where one can view a game's rules. However, there is not much info on rules for the "older" ones.

When it comes to G2E, the return on investment simply isn't as good as Raving's. An independent can exhibit there, however, if it's done on the cheap, the booth space with be placed out of the high traffic flow areas where virtually no one would find it. So, if you expect to get high visibility, expect to spend between $10,000 - $12,000 OR spend the $3,500 and exhibit at Raving's, which is a more targeted market. We've done both, and while we got plenty of exposure and leads at both venues, the leads have that actually materialized have come from Raving's.

Quote: Paradigm

Raving only had 21 games total in 2012 (as I was told by BNP Media rep) including Galaxy's entry that year.

I had the 2013 Raving number at 31 total games (similar to Babs) but Galaxy had 4 games and SHFL had 2 [one of which was a recently acquired "indie game" :-)].

In 2012, Galaxy only had HCF and SHFL wasn't present.

So "indie games" went from 20 (in 2012) to 26 (in 2013) at Raving according to my count.

Good info, Paradigm; I spoke to Stephanie a few days before, and she had said they had 23, where a month before that they only had 13 including mine. It must've gone up still further in the last couple of days prior. All very promising for the future of that show, I think.

They seem to have something similar running at London ICE: they were soliciting entries from independents for judging earlier this month, but it didn't look like it was restricted to table games. Wonder if anyone here put in for that competition?

Quote: beachbumbabs

Quote: Paradigm

Raving only had 21 games total in 2012 (as I was told by BNP Media rep) including Galaxy's entry that year.

I had the 2013 Raving number at 31 total games (similar to Babs) but Galaxy had 4 games and SHFL had 2 [one of which was a recently acquired "indie game" :-)].

In 2012, Galaxy only had HCF and SHFL wasn't present.

So "indie games" went from 20 (in 2012) to 26 (in 2013) at Raving according to my count.

Good info, Paradigm; I spoke to Stephanie a few days before, and she had said they had 23, where a month before that they only had 13 including mine. It must've gone up still further in the last couple of days prior. All very promising for the future of that show, I think.

They seem to have something similar running at London ICE: they were soliciting entries from independents for judging earlier this month, but it didn't look like it was restricted to table games. Wonder if anyone here put in for that competition?

ICE is even more pricey when considering the exchange rate from the dollar to the pound.