Is a shuffle tech worth it for my game. (9 Viewers)

[yoke386]

Where are you seeing it for 710? Was that from Shuffle Tech?
It's like 770 with ground shipping for me

They had a black game you could play to get 5% of your order. I know I posted the code earlier in this thread. I believe it was BLACKJACK5, try that code.

 

[BPTDirector]

There was a promotion at the time I bought mine, from @T_Chan but they have to sell for what Shuffletech says is the current list price. I got mine without the flush mount kit.

 

[cpac54]

FWIW, I bought a Shuffletech a few years back. I liked the speed of it, but our group found it quite loud (it sat on a side table). I swapped back to hand-shuffling last year for one game with a new deck of cards that wasn’t working well with the ST and somehow I haven’t gone back to it since then.

Maybe it’s time to list mine in the Classifieds…

 

[Pinball]

It speeded up my game big. Even we have some jams.

 

[JRKremer]

I’m new to hosting poker and wanting to provide a good experience by having a card shuffler. In doing my research I came across this forum and have been venturing down the rabbit hole. I subscribe to the “buy once, cry once” motto - is the Shuffle Tech the go to for card shufflers or is there a better value option out there?

 

[yoke386]

I’m new to hosting poker and wanting to provide a good experience by having a card shuffler. In doing my research I came across this forum and have been venturing down the rabbit hole. I subscribe to the “buy once, cry once” motto - is the Shuffle Tech the go to for card shufflers or is there a better value option out there?

If you’ve read through this thread it’s more “affordable” than deck master, and lots of people on here have had success with one. I wouldn’t make it my first purchase above table and chairs.

If you have a crew that can shuffle using the two deck method that’s great and it’s not necessary. If you don’t have a crew like that it’s great.

If you’re just starting your game out tho, I would not buy this shuffler until you know that you’re going to be able to host consistently. Unless you’re like me and just like burning money on cool stuff. But simply I think you can offer a great experience without the shuffler, although adding it will definitely increase that experience IMO. Good luck !

 

[JRKremer]

Thanks for the insight! I’m more of a cannonball in the deep end of the pool guy versus dipping my toes in the water when it comes to new interests AND I do like burning money on cool stuff, so it sounds like the shuffle tech is the way to go. I can already tell my bank account is in trouble after finding this forum…..

 

[BPTDirector]

Dead Man Walking…..

 

[minedelta]

Thanks for the insight! I’m more of a cannonball in the deep end of the pool guy versus dipping my toes in the water when it comes to new interests AND I do like burning money on cool stuff, so it sounds like the shuffle tech is the way to go. I can already tell my bank account is in trouble after finding this forum…..

Well, I did buy a DM1 before my table, chips, and pretty much 2 months after joining the forums here this past summer. It's an amazing piece of machine that I have yet to hear any owners here complain about it. I wrote up a guide here on the forums if you are interested in giving it a read. I did end up purchasing a chip set and a table was ordered a few months back. So I'm about 10 to 15k spent since joining.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/deckmate-1-guide.113607/

Cannonballing into the deep end sounds exactly like me.

butttt most people here find the shuffletech will be sufficient enough for most home game use. If you got the money DM1, knowing what I know about the DM1 I would of just swiped the credit cards a long time ago.

 

[JRKremer]

Sounds like it’s time to start swiping the credit cards!

 

[LovNapkinz]

Just seen on the website use code BLACKJACK5 for 5% off. Tossing with the idea of ordering today…

Thanks for this code. $35 off ain't bad. Placed my order yesterday... Hopefully the 4-5 week ship estimate is accurate.

 

[yoke386]

Thanks for this code. $35 off ain't bad. Placed my order yesterday... Hopefully the 4-5 week ship estimate is accurate.

I don’t think you’ll regret it

 

[Rooster410]

Best purchase by far for my home game. IMO - all the below are equally important but if I had to put in order what is most important to my players it would go:

1- shuffletech
2- table
3- chairs
4- cards
5- chips

 

[l33tf0b]

Is deckmate mainly out of scope for home buyers due to cost? How does performance / jamming / maintenance compare to one another?

Anyone have experience with both? I’ve played casinos and mainly i see the deckmate and don’t see the shuffle tech much if any

 

[yoke386]

Is deckmate mainly out of scope for home buyers due to cost? How does performance / jamming / maintenance compare to one another?

Anyone have experience with both? I’ve played casinos and mainly i see the deckmate and don’t see the shuffle tech much if any

No experience with deckmate, but for the cost it’s unattainable for my game. Heck the shuffletech is expensive, but if you want a machine that will give you a random shuffle every time, keep the game moving and keep your apes from ruining your cards or dealing out unshuffled cards shuffle tech is the way to go.
I’m sure the quality is better with deckmate, but when using the copags that came with the unit I’ve yet to have a jam.

 

[LowerBama1714]

No experience with deckmate, but for the cost it’s unattainable for my game. Heck the shuffletech is expensive, but if you want a machine that will give you a random shuffle every time, keep the game moving and keep your apes from ruining your cards or dealing out unshuffled cards shuffle tech is the way to go.
I’m sure the quality is better with deckmate, but when using the copags that came with the unit I’ve yet to have a jam.

Deckmate…buy once cry once.

 

[yoke386]

I should also mention I think your stakes are relative to the deckmate/shuffle tech consideration. My game is a social 25/50 cent game. Where about 1/3 would be comfortable playing 1/2 and the other half like the current stakes. The shuffle tech has satisfied my degens needs to play more hands with inexperienced players. If I ran a more serious higher stakes game I’d probably be more likely to go deckmate.
In the end it’s your money, I think both are a great addition to the game. If your funds allow it ball out on the deck mate. For me the shuffletech felt like a baller move

 

[jpietrella]

No

I should also mention I think your stakes are relative to the deckmate/shuffle tech consideration. My game is a social 25/50 cent game. Where about 1/3 would be comfortable playing 1/2 and the other half like the current stakes. The shuffle tech has satisfied my degens needs to play more hands with inexperienced players. If I ran a more serious higher stakes game I’d probably be more likely to go deckmate.
In the end it’s your money, I think both are a great addition to the game. If your funds allow it ball out on the deck mate. For me the shuffletech felt like a baller move

Nonsense. I play a 5/10 NL games with a group and I couldn't get a single one of them to accept the shuffler. Mostly because they're all morons.

 

[doublebooyah85]

No

Nonsense. I play a 5/10 NL games with a group and I couldn't get a single one of them to accept the shuffler. Mostly because they're all morons.

I’ve also had dealers be annoyed with them. They just wanna shuffle themselves.

 

[yoke386]

I’ve also had dealers be annoyed with them. They just wanna shuffle themselves.

Having a dealer at the game sounds optimal

 

[upNdown]

I will share a dissenting opinion.
It’s a cool gadget and actually a pretty good deal for the price (considering what many of us spend on equipment.)
But I don’t think it’s practical for the self-dealt - rotate the deal kind of home game that most of us play. Because even though the deal rotates around the table, the shuffler stays in one place. So the decks are constantly getting passed back and forth across the table. And this machine is surprisingly loud. Like, you wouldn’t believe how loud it is.

If you have a dedicated dealer who can sit next to the shuffler, I suppose it’s a must-have. And if you have a bunch of guys who are completely incapable of shuffling, yeah go for it. Or if you just want a cool gadget. But if you can get your players shuffling for themselves with a two-deck rotation (and I swear they’ll get used to it quickly,) I think a shuffletech actually slows things down.

 

[louBdub]

I gave up and deal my table now. I just have the button shuffle.

I pitch and manage action, sooo much better for my needs and desires. And I have neeeeeeeds and desiiiiires.

 

[Hot Nuts]

I will share a dissenting opinion.
It’s a cool gadget and actually a pretty good deal for the price (considering what many of us spend on equipment.)
But I don’t think it’s practical for the self-dealt - rotate the deal kind of home game that most of us play. Because even though the deal rotates around the table, the shuffler stays in one place. So the decks are constantly getting passed back and forth across the table. And this machine is surprisingly loud. Like, you wouldn’t believe how loud it is.

If you have a dedicated dealer who can sit next to the shuffler, I suppose it’s a must-have. And if you have a bunch of guys who are completely incapable of shuffling, yeah go for it. Or if you just want a cool gadget. But if you can get your players shuffling for themselves with a two-deck rotation (and I swear they’ll get used to it quickly,) I think a shuffletech actually slows things down.

I was thinking about having to pass the deck and the loudness this afternoon. Was thinking about spending some basketball winnings on one, but I think I'll put it towards home improvements and some smaller poker-related purchases. The main reason I wanted it, is because we have a player that can't shuffle due to a handicap. Folks pitch in and shuffle for him.

 

[TomC727]

I was thinking about having to pass the deck and the loudness this afternoon. Was thinking about spending some basketball winnings on one, but I think I'll put it towards home improvements and some smaller poker-related purchases. The main reason I wanted it, is because we have a player that can't shuffle due to a handicap. Folks pitch in and shuffle for him.

I initially thought the same thing, until I finally bought one.

It is a game changer.

For the concerns…
1) It’s loud - I took a cheap $90 IKEA cart, cut a hole in it, and put the flush mount in. I put 3 pillows that surround the shuffler in the shelf inside the cabinet. The sound is a minimum. My table doesn’t even notice it when running, and some sitting at the table were shocked to find out it was even running (I mentioned to them some don’t like it because of the noise).
2) I usually sit next to the shuffler and it’s a self dealt game. When the button moves, the used deck gets handed to me and the shuffled deck is dealt. The vast majority of times (>90%), the second deck is shuffled and already placed in front of the future dealer ready to go before the current game is finished. It has sped up our hands per hour and decreased the headaches of continually shuffling when playing dealer call it games, especially 3-5-7 and guts (3 card poker).
3) Yes, it can be pricey, but I stalked different places online and eventually went with a dealer that didn’t charge sales tax and had free shipping.
4) Jams - I’ve probably played over 1000 hands with mine without a single jam. I use Copaq cards.
5) My regulars love it. Currently @alecnetwoodworks is building me a custom cabinet with sound dampening tiles in it, along with a shorter profile, but the ikea cart is very economical and works great. I will try to get a picture when home. I installed 3 cup holders on top of it too with a locking mechanism in them. It gives me peace of mind when I have a drink on it. I issue the cart for my iPad that controls the AV system in my basement, and whatever beverage I have, usually a yeti full of coffee.

 

[drdr]

I will share a dissenting opinion.
It’s a cool gadget and actually a pretty good deal for the price (considering what many of us spend on equipment.)
But I don’t think it’s practical for the self-dealt - rotate the deal kind of home game that most of us play. Because even though the deal rotates around the table, the shuffler stays in one place. So the decks are constantly getting passed back and forth across the table. And this machine is surprisingly loud. Like, you wouldn’t believe how loud it is.

If you have a dedicated dealer who can sit next to the shuffler, I suppose it’s a must-have. And if you have a bunch of guys who are completely incapable of shuffling, yeah go for it. Or if you just want a cool gadget. But if you can get your players shuffling for themselves with a two-deck rotation (and I swear they’ll get used to it quickly,) I think a shuffletech actually slows things down.

Well, the logical progression here is to design a table that moves the shuffletech around the table, sushi train style but flush to the playing surface.

 

[Hot Nuts]

Or the opposite. There's got to be a fugly poker table out there somewhere with a lazy Susan in the middle rotating the shuffler. Find it!

 

[minedelta]

If you guys haven't seen the video I posted the shuffler with the cover off so it's a lot louder but you can see the mechanism in action.

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/thre...er-with-no-cover-and-md3.117771/#post-2421410

The game just runs better when I self deal. I have tried to show others to deal and it just slows the game down. I keep the game flowing and making sure people know when it's their turn.

Deckmate and Shuffle Techs are the way to go. I have a .25/.50 game that I got the Deckmate for. What ever your wallet can handle but I am extremely bias towards a Deckmate they are worth it. Casinos still use the same DM1 model for 20+ years because of the robust industrial machine being able to run them non stop for hours. With proper maintenance and tuning it's worth having.

It's either spend 3.5-4k on a shuffler and play poker poorly Or lose 3.5-4k in playing poker and learn you are still a poor player just with out a shuffler.

 

[Hot Nuts]

I initially thought the same thing, until I finally bought one.

It is a game changer.

For the concerns…
1) It’s loud - I took a cheap $90 IKEA cart, cut a hole in it, and put the flush mount in. I put 3 pillows that surround the shuffler in the shelf inside the cabinet. The sound is a minimum. My table doesn’t even notice it when running, and some sitting at the table were shocked to find out it was even running (I mentioned to them some don’t like it because of the noise).
2) I usually sit next to the shuffler and it’s a self dealt game. When the button moves, the used deck gets handed to me and the shuffled deck is dealt. The vast majority of times (>90%), the second deck is shuffled and already placed in front of the future dealer ready to go before the current game is finished. It has sped up our hands per hour and decreased the headaches of continually shuffling when playing dealer call it games, especially 3-5-7 and guts (3 card poker).
3) Yes, it can be pricey, but I stalked different places online and eventually went with a dealer that didn’t charge sales tax and had free shipping.
4) Jams - I’ve probably played over 1000 hands with mine without a single jam. I use Copaq cards.
5) My regulars love it. Currently @alecnetwoodworks is building me a custom cabinet with sound dampening tiles in it, along with a shorter profile, but the ikea cart is very economical and works great. I will try to get a picture when home. I installed 3 cup holders on top of it too with a locking mechanism in them. It gives me peace of mind when I have a drink on it. I issue the cart for my iPad that controls the AV system in my basement, and whatever beverage I have, usually a yeti full of coffee.

Thanks for the feedback.

2) The shuffle has to get passed around, but probably is less of a convenience if it's during a hand, i.e. nobody notices or complains.

3) Who is the dealer? Shuffletech is on backorder and it's hard to find suppliers online.

1) 5) Ikea link please, I know you need some time.

Bringing me back to being on the border. Thank you!

If I win more money on my freeroll parlays, I won't tell my wife and probably buy one. I'll tell her I bought it off FB for cheap. She'll have no idea what one even costs.

 

[TomC727]

Thanks for the feedback.

2) The shuffle has to get passed around, but probably is less of a convenience if it's during a hand, i.e. nobody notices or complains.

3) Who is the dealer? Shuffletech is on backorder and it's hard to find suppliers online.

1) 5) Ikea link please, I know you need some time.

Bringing me back to being on the border. Thank you!

If I win more money on my freeroll parlays, I won't tell my wife and probably buy one. I'll tell her I bought it off FB for cheap. She'll have no idea what one even costs.

I actually have to figure out who I bought it from. I’m currently searching my email.

Let me get you a link for the cart.

 

[TomC727]

Thanks for the feedback.

2) The shuffle has to get passed around, but probably is less of a convenience if it's during a hand, i.e. nobody notices or complains.

3) Who is the dealer? Shuffletech is on backorder and it's hard to find suppliers online.

1) 5) Ikea link please, I know you need some time.

Bringing me back to being on the border. Thank you!

If I win more money on my freeroll parlays, I won't tell my wife and probably buy one. I'll tell her I bought it off FB for cheap. She'll have no idea what one even costs.

Page 4 of this thread has pics of the cart.