Re: Shuffle Master (was Re: [ba-poker] Bay 101 trip report)

[Michael Hunter <mph(deleted the rest)>]

On Sun, 6 Feb 2005 15:15:08 -0800
Ed Fernandez <edf(deleted the rest)> wrote:

> None of this can happen, at least theoritically because the machine  
> monitors its performance and if it has a problem, it alerts the dealer
>  
> and stops shuffling (red alert button comes on). It also displays a  
> diagnostic code on the read out.
> 

These machines reliability seems to be questionable.  At Harvey's I
regularly see the machines having some sort of problem.  At various
times I've seen:

1) extended shuffle times (minutes)
2) incorrectly identifying short decks (red light says short, hand count
says otherwise)
3) jams
4) power offs (independent of the power cord getting kicked out)

#2 was happening often enough for a while that some of the dealers would
just ignore the light.

I didn't notice any of this until 6 months or so after the trial period.
Somebody comes out to do maintenance on the machines although I haven't
noticed that helping the reliability of the machines (but I probably
don't sample often enough to know).

One thing I've think I've noticed (not measured) is that the better
dealers learn to use the machines fairly well.  Those that were having
problems before tend to just have more problems.  One spectacular
example was a new dealer who was never wrong get multiple boxed cards
during a down and blame them all on the machine.  The dealers before and
after didn't get a single boxed card.

The machines at Harvey's are not fast enough for a 4 handed or shorter
game.  The better dealers tend to alternate hand shuffles with the
machine.  The rest tend to break games.

                        mph

-- 
Michael Hunter | http://public.2idi.com/=mphunter