Global Gaming Expo 2014

Introduction

Each autumn, the gaming industry gathers in Las Vegas for the Global Gaming Expo. On the exhibit floor, you'll encounter vendors showcasing everything you might find in a casino, including various table games. In this particular segment, there's a mix of hopeful newcomers with just one game to offer and established companies boasting a wide range of innovative takes on classic games like blackjack, poker, and baccarat.

I've attended this event annually, mainly to discover the latest games. Honestly, it's one of the few opportunities I have to engage in conversation with attractive women.

Despite being centered around gambling, the year 2014 was marked by a lack of adventurousness within the realm of new table games. Instead, there was a lot of capitalizing on existing games that have already proven their worth. There was a significant decline in the number of small businesses showcasing their singular games compared to previous years. This time around, SHFL Entertainment, better known as Shufflemaster, and Galaxy Gaming emerged as the primary players in the table game sector.

Here is a list of the new table games introduced in 2014, organized alphabetically.

21 or Nothing

21 or Nothing is one of the unique offerings presented by Play Live, utilizing a specially designed 55-card deck that features numbers from 1 to 11 in five distinct colors. The belief held by the company is that we have all been conditioned to play with the traditional cards, and a fresh deck is necessary to reinvigorate the casino experience.

When playing blackjack with this unique deck, the objective is to either achieve the highest score up to 21 or a lowest score that reaches zero. White cards are subtracted from your total, meaning it’s possible to end up with a negative score. Although I wouldn't say it was the simplest game to understand, I definitely respect the creativity displayed by the developers. The game comes from Full Color Games. Be sure to also check out their other offerings. Full Color Baccarat .

7 to 1 Blackjack

This particular side bet in blackjack pays out at 7 to 1 if the player’s first two cards and the dealer's card all share the same color, provided the player wins the main blackjack match. There's an alternative version named 3 to 1 Blackjack, where only the player’s cards need to be of the same color. This game is brought to you by TCS John Huxley.

Bust Bonus

Bust Bonus is a side bet in blackjack that distinguishes itself from others as it allows the player to make their wager after observing the dealer's up card. The payouts differ depending on what the up card shows and the suit of all the dealer's cards. This game is created by Galaxy Gaming.

Cajun Stud

Cajun Stud looks the same to me as Mississippi Stud Poker and includes a couple of additional side bets. Developed by Galaxy Gaming.

Criss Cross Poker

This is among the few innovative ideas showcased at the event that didn't lean too heavily into the unusual. I previously outlined it in my Criss Cross Poker article that I published just before the exhibition. This was the first occasion I had the chance to see the game in person, which I had diligently examined. This one is produced by AGS.

Dueling for Dollars

Dueling for Dollars is a pretty much Casino War In this game, players can wager on which side will prevail, similar to baccarat. The Tie side bet offers a bonus payout for a suited tie. A notable addition is the Dual Bet feature, which pays out based on the two-card poker value of the first two cards. Brought to you by Galaxy Gaming.

DJ Wild

DJ Wild looks like Caribbean Stud Poker In this variant, deuces and a single joker act as wild cards, complete with several side bets available. Developed by SHFL Entertainment.

Four Card Frenzy

This is Galaxy Gaming's version of Crazy 4 Poker It seems I've misplaced my rule card, so that's all the information I can provide for now.

Fortune 7 Baccarat

As far as I can tell, this game is quite similar to EZ Baccarat but includes a progressive jackpot feature. This concept is from SHFL Entertainment.

Full Color Baccarat

Another offering by Full Color Games which utilizes the 55-card deck with a color variety. This version is inspired by baccarat. Apologies, but that's as much detail as I can share at the moment. Don't forget to check out their other game offerings. 21 or Nothing .

In Between

This blackjack side bet revolves around whether the dealer's up card falls between the player's two starting cards. The smaller the difference, the higher the payout. This creation comes from AGS.

Lucky 13's

One of the more intriguing games showcased, standing out with its own booth. It's a variant of blackjack but utilizes 64-card decks, incorporating additional cards numbered 11, 12, and 13. It also offers a side bet to mitigate the risk of busting on the initial two cards. Kudos for introducing something fresh!

Match 'Em Hi Lo

This is one of the rare new concepts presented at the event by a well-known brand. The scoring is reminiscent of blackjack, but here face cards hold a value of zero. Players receive three cards and decide to either play their hand high or low against the dealer, with the option to place a raise bet. The dealer is dealt five cards and must create both a high and low hand. Winning against the dealer in your chosen direction secures your victory. Naturally, there's an additional side bet included. This is offered by SHFL Entertainment.

Solitaire Stud

Solitaire Stud is much like High Card Flush This takes a different angle from the longest flush run concept; it is instead focused on the longest solitaire run, characterized by alternating colors in a straight. Naturally, there are a few side bets as well. Created by SHFL Entertainment.

Supreme 99

The game that comes closest to Supreme 99 is pai gow (tiles) but instead of tiles, it incorporates cards. Similar to pai gow, both the player and dealer are dealt four cards to create two two-card hands. The ranking system follows the pai gow format where pairs rank highest, followed by baccarat scoring criteria. Both high hands and low hands are compared, and if the player achieves victory in both instances, they win at even money without a commission. The house advantage arises solely from the dealer winning on ties. Additionally, there’s a side bet that assesses whether the player forms any pairs among their four cards.

Three Card Prime

Strategies for profiting in the table game industry during 2014:

1. Find an existing popular game . In this case, Three Card Poker.
2. Add a side bet.
3. Change the name a little.
4. Sell.

Vegas 2047 Pinball

Vegas 2047 Pinball emerged as the most groundbreaking innovation presented at the expo. The game provides a remarkably lifelike electronic simulation of pinball. Its cabinet resembled a steampunk creation, akin to those found in the Myst video game series. I've been informed that this design style is referred to as Steampunk .

The game also stands out by allowing players to select any wager and win goal they prefer within the set limits of the game. After placing a bet, players engage in a pinball game. As someone who doesn't excel at pinball, I was delighted to find that my wager lasted around a minute—prolonged compared to my performance in traditional pinball settings.

The pinball segment of the game somewhat impacts the odds of winning but primarily serves an aesthetic purpose. Once the last ball is played, a spinning wheel will determine outcomes, featuring various winning and losing segments. The size of the winning segments will fluctuate based on the player's chosen winning goal relative to their bet, their pinball performance, and the results of fellow players. If the wheel stops on a winning segment, the player wins.

The game is designed to adapt the skill requirements for widening the winning segments based on past player performances. This ensures that the game can't be manipulated by skilled pinball players. The developers assert that the game can't exceed a 100% theoretical return, even if Tommy is played repeatedly by inebriated patrons or elderly bingo enthusiasts. The maximum return might be set lower, depending on the configurations decided by the casino management.

By NanoTech Entertainment.

War Baccarat

By AGS, the same people who brought you War Blackjack Unfortunately, I forgot to obtain a rule card for this game as well. This often happens when I’m focused on photographing a lovely lady.

Written by: Michael Shackleford