Card-Free Blackjack
A prototype casino table that uses a multitouch surface (imagine a blackjack table surface that works interactively, like a giant iPhone screen) has been displayed at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2009 conference in Las Vegas. The prototype, which was created by the Moto Development Group, displays virtual cards on the table surface, and players and dealers can play the game by touching appropriate positions on the table as required.
Card-free blackjack is obviously commonplace online, but does this latest Moto innovation mean that we are heading ever closer to a world where even offline blackjack games will use virtual decks?
Traditionalists will obviously hope not. For them, blackjack is a very tactile game where the ability to handle real playing cards, on a real baize-covered table, playing with real casino chips, is all part of the appeal. If all of those physical components of the game were replaced with virtual representations then the chances are that the traditionalists would simply set up home games instead. Yes, they might also play at virtual tables from time to time (since that would be the only legal way for them to win any money) but they probably wouldn’t be happy about doing so.
Modernists, on the other hand, would be more likely to welcome card-free blackjack with a high level of enthusiasm. Eliminating physical playing cards and chips eliminates the potential problems of dealers making mistakes and players cheating, and could also mean the ability to play more hands per hour – something that profitable players would love.
Of course, if card-free blackjack becomes the norm then the offline and online games could be linked together relatively easily. This would open up the possibility of some seriously large blackjack tournaments that allow both offline and online players to play alongside each other. The same kind of tournaments are already enjoyed by bingo players, so we know that the idea has mileage as far as practicality is concerned. Whether blackjack players will be prepared to embrace that approach in the same way that bingo players have is another matter entirely.
The Moto multitouch casino table that has sparked this latest bout of speculation can also be used to play poker and other card games, and maybe the likes of roulette and sic bo as well. Our prediction is that offline casinos interested in the technology will test the water with just one or two virtual tables rather than opting for a complete changeover in one fell swoop. If we are right then card-free blackjack is still a very real possibility, but not one that traditionalists need to panic about just yet.
Article Published: 14/06/2010 11:59:22
