The 2006 Global Gaming Expo (G2E) at the Las Vegas Convention Center closed its doors after four
bustling business days on Thursday, November 15. By all accounts it was a crowning success for 750 exhibitors throughout eight pavilions showcasing unique displays of eye-catching products. Industry executives were there to learn the latest trends, while thousands of visitors enjoyed dynamic special events. Conspicuously missing from this year's exposition were the booths of online gaming representatives.
Below are a few of the products and demonstrations related to poker that caught the interest of Card Player staff.
Poker Tek Electronic Tables
The PokerPro X and PokerPro Heads-Up tables were a big hit with visitors and jammed with people anxious to test-drive the revolutionary 10-handed and heads-up consoles. The virtual version is a commercial alternative to live action and functions a lot like an online poker room - except that your opponents are actually there with you. If PokerPros were used in a casino environment, a player would purchase an account card and then swipe it at the table. Minus the human dealer factor, the tables do the shuffling and distribution of the cards. PokerPros follow the action and ensure side and split pots are timely and correct. The really cool factor is a player's ability to review his or her hand history. Another nifty gimmick is how the touch screen conceals a player's cards. When a player's hand is used to
cover the hole cards displayed under the panel, they magically turn up for viewing. When a player uncovers them, the cards automatically turn face down. This makes it nearly impossible to sneak a peek at another player's hand. And yes, we tried.
WhoopAss Poker
This alternative to Texas hold'em poker has a player vs. house version, with three flops and an "optional" buy card that tempts opponents to stick around for up to 11 bets in a single hand. Another type of WhoopAss Poker resembles the traditional game, as it pits the players against each other. Following a brief demonstration by WhoopAss Poker representatives, it only took a few rounds for us to become familiar with the optional betting structure. It's not only fun to say, but the action generated by WhoopAss Poker rivals nickel-night at any Saturday home game. If WhoopAss Poker catches on with casinos, look for it and other poker variables to spill out of cardrooms and into table game areas.
WPT Poker Slot Machines
Hot off the production line and ready for distribution are the WPT poker slot machines. WPT partnered with IGT, the world's leading slot machine manufacturer, to create a Texas hold'em experience unlike the monotonous video poker versions that grace casinos, bars, and convenience stores. Instead of offering players only one shot at winning a hand by having them select the cards they wish to hold, WPT poker players are dealt two cards in hold'em fashion and can view the other five opponents' hands at all times. After weighing the risks, players only have an option to raise or fold. Since the user must initiate the betting in every round, and the other five virtual opponents don't release their hands, attempting to draw out can prove costly. However, if your hand does hold up after the river, payouts are impressive. We used the house's money on the $1 WPT Poker machine and even after folding most of our hands, we were down nearly $40. But when we finally won a pot, the payouts were considerable, and after 20 minutes of play our virtual bankrolls were edging towards the $500 mark.
Food and Beverage Expo at G2E
Across the hall from G2E was the F&B exposition. And what better way to end the afternoon of trekking up and down miles of ramps, stairs, and isles within the multi-level gaming expo than to taste-test the culinary creations of willing vendors. There was every food imaginable, including foie gras and other fowl variations, seafood, beef served seven different ways, two gourmet hotdog vendors, cheeses, fine wines, along with dozens of hot and cold commercial beverages. But the kickers to the F&B Expo were the patisseries, confectioners, and the seven-foot chocolate fountain that skirted both sides of a 100-yard path of indulgence.
Card Player staff wishes to thank the Las Vegas Convention Center for bringing G2E and the F&B expo together in a perfect marriage of iGaming and fine cuisine.
