Euroslot-MAY09-PG24-28:Layout 1 27/04/2009 15:24 Page 25
www.euroslot-online.com POKER GAMES FEATURE
“This alone establishes that Poker must have a strong element of For those players who are used to the real thing – how do the new
amusement without gaining monetary prizes or else why would so many range of poker machines match up? Peter Robinson says the challenge is
people play fun poker? Playing games is a natural part of the human to create a video pack of cards that the players can relate to. “The
psyche, and we need to play games at all levels to reach a good balance players are the people who matter, we provide the basically a video pack
in life. This is not to say that a prize element would not be important in of cards. It is vital that the feel of the game, use the playing cards, is
Poker, but just it is not the be all and end all a cash prize.” what the player is comfortable with. Players need a modern interface –
Bernhard Eber from Bally Wulff agrees that non-prize poker is gaining touch screen – not buttons and roller balls, after all we are in the 21st
in popularity. “In Germany there exist a lot of poker-clubs where you can century. By using a 37 inch high definition top quality monitor ensures
gamble without winning a prize. And people love it. Poker with prizes is the presentation is the best than can be achieved with present
in Germany only allowed in licensed casinos. Our tests show that people technology.”
feel enthusiastic about our poker machine. Also people how dont know
the real rules can play straight away. Another important factor is that a
solo player can also play with our machine, as it is designed for up to Although poker is generally thought of
four players.”
Poker is a game that can prove to be daunting for beginners, who may
as a gambling game, it has elements
feel more comfortable playing against a machine as they learn. Peter
that are extremely entertaining. On the
Robinson has found that in order to attract new poker players, it is
essential to present the machine well, so people are drawn to it. “In
internet there are more people playing
general we find that other players introduce new people to the game and
for fun chips than playing to win money.
the new players realise that it is fun to learn.
“A new player can learn the basics in a few minutes and without any
pressure and without risking money gambling. And his game can last up The Nova PokerKard machine is dedicated solely to the card game as is
to half an hour. Of course, to properly master the game can take years!” Bally Wulff’s Play4Pro. “Our philosophy is, that poker must be a single
TAB’s Dietmar Straubinger agrees that the look of the machine is very game. Therefore we created a real poker area with a special carpet, table-
important. “The position the design of the machine/table are essential. A displays, poster and tournament-plans. Poker should be like a solitaire in
good sound system and a positive sound design are also very important an arcade,” says Bernhard Eber.
to arouse a great deal of interest,” he says. Meanwhile the TAB Fun4Four table is an all-round entertainment
CVA’s Heads Up Challenge has introduced a new attract monitor at the offering with skill and quiz games as well. John Farringdon of CVA says
rear of its table, in order to arouse interest in a location. “This screen that his company is looking into the possibility of offering a compendium
allows casual non players to watch the game play just like on the TV,” of games in the future.
says John Farringdon. “It isn’t the actual table game itself but the “Realistically the game is based around a roller ball, buttons and a
variance allows the viewer to watch the play as a voyeur…it’s great! Also screen so the world’s our oyster! But yes we have been developing and
the second screen is a great advertising bill board and operators can set testing games on the platform but with such a strong game as Texas
up intermittent adverts during the attract mode, which is another great Hold ‘Em you have to ensure that you do not detract from the coin box
opportunity.” drop. We hope to be able to offer operators option game packs that can
MAY 2009
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