If it looks like Blackjack, Tastes like Blackjack and Smells like Blackjack, it may not be Blackjack as you know it. Interview with Dean Wilson from Bet’em All Blackjack. By Steve Karoul
Dean, thank you for taking the time to be interviewed by Casino Life Magazine. As game developers, you have a very good track record especially with your new Lunar Poker table game. Your newest table game, Bet’em All Blackjack, sounds very exciting for many different reasons.
Casino Life readers are always interested in learning more from company leaders as to how they view the casino industry today. Can you please share some of your viewpoints as to how the casino industry is changing and why you think new games will be popular with players?
In the US on our marketing trips it has become very noticeable in the past 12 months that casino operators are leaning towards methods of increasing their BJ revenue rather than introducing a completely new game. There are many new BJ side bets on trial with operators taking their time to see which side bet has the best uptake. This makes perfect sense with BJ being the major game in the US by far, so any gain to the bottom line makes a huge impact to overall revenue.
Can you please briefly explain an overview of Bet’em All Blackjack?
Bet’em All Blackjack is a very simple straight forward concept which can be applied to any BJ game, even with existing side bets in place. Bet’em All BJ is a betting methodology which allows players to place bets on any other player’s hand at the table. The player seated at the spot has full control over their hand and any Bet’em All wagers on their spot simply ride along with the action but can make decisions to participate in a double down, insurance, even money or surrender situation.
Can you explain the “benefits of” this exciting new game to both the player and to host casino?
Bet’em All Blackjack instantly multiplies the action for each and every player at the game creating up to 5 or 6 additional betting opportunities. Players can bet on their friend’s hands and jump on the “hot” hands on the table. While the players are enjoying all of the additional excitement, the operator sees their betting volume double or even triple with the Bet’em All wagers being placed.
How does your BJ table or layout differ from a normal BJ table layout?
The layout remains very similar to the operator’s current layout designs, side bets included and then the Bet’em All wager placement system is layered over the top of the existing layout design. The wager placement system has been designed to be attractive and actually enhances the look of the layout.
How is the actual wagering handled by dealers and what aspects are different from a normal BJ game?
The Bet’em All wagering system has been designed to create convenience and clarity for the players and dealer. The player places all their bets on other hands directly in front of their own betting area on designated numbered positions for each spot on the table. The dealer then moves the Bet’em All wagers to the spot number that the player has indicated they want to bet on.
The Bet’em All wagers can participate in all aspects of the game such as doubling down, insurance, even money against an ace and surrender. But, Bet’em All wagers cannot split and will ride on the first hand of a split only. The non-ability to split raises the house edge on the Bet’em All wagers by 50-90% depending on the specific rules used on the game. This means more profit for the casino.
What will be the big attraction to players and how will Bet’em All Blackjack benefit them compared to a normal BJ game?
Bet’em All Blackjack totally changes the way Blackjack is played. A highly exciting, socially engaging environment is created at the table as players share in the action on each other’s hands. When the game is full, players can still enjoy betting on multiple spots. Groups of friends coming into the casino can bet on each other’s hands all night long and share in the ups and downs. Everyone can jump on the lucky player’s hand when they feel that their own luck is down.
Thank you again for your time and your thoughts on the casino industry today as well as your explanation of Bet’em All Blackjack. Good luck with your new game.
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Steve Karoul is a recognized casino consultant with over 36 years of hands-on experience with the best casinos both within the United States and internationally. He is also an authority on all aspects of casino marketing. Steve has lived in numerous countries and has conducted casino marketing activities in well over 100 countries around the world. He also monitors Poker, online Poker and online Gaming around the world. He is an author, a lecturer and an educator who often injects his own hands-on experiences and openly shares his ideas and thoughts with fellow industry executives.
Telephone + (1-860) 536-1828 or skaroul@comcast.net or see www.euroasiacasino.com
