Best New Table Games of 2023

On this day, May 4th, I extend warm wishes for Star Wars day to all my dedicated supporters! May the fourth be with you.

Last week, I attended the Conference on Global Game Protection and Table Games held at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. I had a great time interviewing the creators of various games and capturing videos that showcase their innovations. Expect these videos to be released in the upcoming months. In this newsletter, I also want to highlight the winners of the best new games competition, based on votes from the participants.

Third Place – 3 Dice Baccarat

Claiming the third spot is Galaxy Gaming's Three Dice Baccarat. During the previous Cutting Edge table game show, major gaming companies' creations were not eligible for competition voting, as the event aimed to support smaller inventors in a competitive industry. However, this time, that restriction was lifted.

Three Dice Baccarat is a straightforward game where two sets of three dice, designated as Player and Banker, are used. Players can wager on which set of dice will yield a higher total. There's an element of house advantage, where a specific low tie results in a loss for both parties, though there is a hedge bet available for that scenario.

I recently learned that this game had a field trial at the Paris casino and was subsequently removed, which somehow went under my radar; otherwise, I would have made sure to write a detailed piece about it. The Nevada Gaming Control Board At times, there have been delays in updating the list of field trials, and 3 Dice Baccarat was one of those instances.

Second Place – Home Run Poker

Honestly, I was taken aback that this game secured second place. I viewed it more as an added bonus to a poker game rather than a standalone table game. I regret that I didn’t create a video or even take a picture, as I had no intention of covering it at Wizard of Odds. I also didn’t believe it had a substantial chance of winning, given its poor location at the show—unfortunately, it was situated in a separate room that many attendees seemed unaware of.

The idea behind this game is quite simple. A newcomer at the poker table starts with a runner positioned at home plate. With each new hand, all participants contribute $1 to a shared pot. The player winning each hand advances a base. Once a player successfully completes a full lap back to home plate, they take home the accumulated pot. At that point, all runners on bases are reset to start again.

I’m not suggesting this is a flawed concept, but it’s simply not the type of game I typically discuss.

First Place – 3 Shot Poker

The champion of this year's competition is the same Colorado team that brought us the winning games for the past two years, along with a second-place finish in between. If I recall correctly, those successful games included Blackjack Burnout, Poker Burnout, and Pocket Rockets. This year, their entry was 3 Shot Poker .

3 Shot Poker is currently undergoing field trials at the Grand Sierra in Reno. For my insights, check the previous link. In summary, it’s similar to Three Card Poker, but players engage with three hands simultaneously against the dealer.

Honorable Mention – Mugsy’s Corner

I was responsible for gathering and tallying the votes. The voting process allowed for first, second, and third place selections, assigning three points for a first-place choice, two for second, and one for third. Unfortunately, Mugsy’s Corner narrowly lost its spot in the top three by just one point. A significant number of ballots were invalid, as many attendees had not experienced every game, which was a requirement; had those ballots been included, Mugsy would have secured third place.

In a nutshell, Mugsy’s Corner is a side bet typically found where the Big 6/8 game is placed. It wins if a total of seven is rolled during the first two rolls, starting from the come-out roll. Be sure to watch the video I've created about it. Mugsy’s Corner from the 2022 show.

During this year's show, Frank was showcasing the version of Mugsy’s Corner designed for Crapless Craps. I discuss both variations in my content. analysis of Mugsy’s Corner at Wizard of Odds.

To conclude, I want to congratulate all the winners and express my gratitude to Richard Marcus for organizing such an engaging and informative event.

Written by: Michael Shackleford