FEBRUARY 2019 http://www.ggbmagazine.com^35player ratings and tracking. For those seeking more precise data, patented sen-
sor technology embedded in the table has further expanded the system’s abil-
ity to accurately measure table game performance.
“The sensors, which are located beneath the table felt, identify when bets
are made and hands are dealt,” says Knust. “This delivers precise side-bet par-
ticipation metrics as well as providing detailed analytics on dealer efficiency
such as accurate hands-per-hour count.”
With the new technology, properties can now capture more “slot-like”
data across table games and cage operations, he says. Marketing and analytics
teams will be able to evaluate performance and make more informed game-
specific decisions that will essentially improve the overall bottom line as well
as the experience for players.
With RFID specifically, additional benefits can be realized across the
property as the chips can be accurately tracked and monitored.
Toward that end, Genesis Gaming forged a working partnership with
Aruze Gaming (distributor) for chips including RFID last year. Knust says
the partnership gives the industry a complete RFID tracking solution that is
secure, accurate and cost-effective.
This business approach acknowledges the significance of RFID and tries
to reduce its cost. Money, especially the retention of it in one’s budget, talks.The Viz Biz
Developing an alternative to RFID costs has been an angle for San Diego-
based VizExplorer, which helps organizations combine data sources from their
systems to uncover actionable insight. It delivers a software platform and ap-
plications to provide deep analytical information.
Its latest catalyst is ChipVue, powered by ARB Labs. The product has
been submitted to GLI, and will receive certification for Arizona, California,
Connecticut, Louisiana tribal, Michigan tribal, Nevada, Ohio casino and
Oklahoma Class III in February, according to company officials.
Jason Bonner, vice president of product management for VizExplorer,
says his product does not utilize RFID, which he considers effective at curb-
ing counterfeiting (even while noting that you can fool an RFID solution by
putting a couple of fake chips below an RFID chip), but expensive and diffi-
cult to deploy across all games for the purposes of bet recognition.
“That’s an area where we are different,” he says. “The TableViz with
ChipVue solution includes highly accurate camera technology and works with
the operator’s existing rack of casino chips. It comes down to what the opera-
tor is trying to accomplish and what technology is the best fit.”
This is a joint hardware/software solution. Minimal ChipVue hardware is
installed on every table. The package includes a chip tray with integrated op-tical bet recognition devices, hand-count sensor, card reader, an LCD
screen and a small server, unobtrusive to the dealer and players, that at-
taches below the table. From the software perspective, TableViz does the
analysis and empowers the operator with unique insights not available for
table games until now, Bonner asserts.
ChipVue provides an optical, bet-tracking table-game performance
analysis. The product helps casino operators generate slot-like analytics for
table games like blackjack and baccarat.
“VizExplorer and Arb teamed up to deliver a complete solution to op-
erators seeking a real table game optimization solution,” Bonner says. “Arb
provides the operational hardware used by the dealers, and VizExplorer
provides the strategic tools to help make informed decisions leveraging all
of the great, accurate data operators will now have access to.”
Some results have been stunning, he believes. Significant data has
emerged over the rankings of premier players. Some heavy hitters, it turns
out, are lightweights.
“TableViz with ChipVue has been deployed at a number of early-
adopter sites with exciting results,” Bonner asserts. “The solution has main-
tained over a 98 percent accuracy rate in capturing player bets, and has
confirmed that a large variance exists between a player’s manual and actual
rating. On average, this has impacted 90 percent of rated table game play-
ers, with their rating over or undervaluing their play by 100 percent. This
means 90 percent of players aren’t receiving the right offer today, which is a
big deal as it translates to maximizing table game profit.”
Bonner says the product has been endorsed by properties because
“we’re solving the age-old table rating dilemma, which is a hot topic for
properties that have a decent number of tables on their floor. Most data-
base marketers ignore table players today due to the accuracy of manual
tracking systems.
“We’ve received a lot of attention at trade shows where we’ve show-
cased the solution on the
floor. Often our demo table
has been swamped by casino
staff that are amazed how
the technology just works—
and captures every bet accu-
rately.”
Bonner touts TableViz
as the vehicle to help opera-
tors capture the actual player
bet, timing player and deci-
sions per hour as a game-
changer.
“It gives operators all the
tools they need to optimize
their table games,” he says. “They need to understand who their valuable
customers are, what games they should have, where they should be located,
and when they should have a dealer on the floor. Understanding the value
of your table game players to inform offers to drive incremental visits is
critical, but just one part of the larger story.”
Operators will have access to the performance of their tables to help
them determine what games they should have on their floor. What are the
best table game themes? What are the most successful side bets?
“With visibility into decisions per hour and the types of players that“The sensors, which are located beneath
the table felt, identify when bets are
made and hands are dealt. This delivers
precise side-bet participation metrics as
well as providing detailed analytics on
dealer efficiency such as accurate
hands-per-hour
count.”
—Randy Knust, President,
Genesis Gaming SolutionsVizExplorer ChipVue hardware package
includes a chip tray with integrated optical
bet recognition devicesp. 34 TableTracking:Layout 1 1/10/19 12:27 PM Page 35