Shuffle Tech review (4 Viewers)

[TonZaga]

Waited around for black Friday and turns out Shuffle Tech is $50 more expensive and on backorder....

 

[Jam6885]

I'm a designated dealer at my games and I'm using the shuffler as I'm also playing. It is noisy even when mounted in the table, but people only reacted to the noise the first 2-3 times. Most of all they were all grateful for not having to deal themselves.

If you have a group of players who can shuffle and don't mind, your upside isn't that great (unless you fear card mechanics). However, most players prefer dedicated dealer and not having to shuffle. Also, with a central dealer you can run a "clean" table, where you collect the pot after each betting round, has a muck pile, etc. I see some home game pictures where it looks like there's been a fight at the table but when you're dealing from the end of the table you need to involve several other players, and you should prefer as few hands as possible interacting with the pot.

When I run the table, the burn cards goes under (main) pot. The stub goes left of the community cards, and the muck pile is on top of the shuffler. Side pots goes to the left of the community cards. PS! We only play NLHE. Only confusion is when I'm drunk and miss some action, but the players correct me before any damage is done.
pr0n/proof (both examples has one player tanking);
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I am curious about the noise level. I know it's very subjective. I have heard numerous complaints on how loud it is. I've heard people say how it's not too loud. I also realize each situation is different. But I do plan on mounting in table like you have. From some reviews I've heard that most of the noise comes from the top. So I was curious about 3D printing a new lid that dampens the noise. All in all it would be nice for convenience to have an auto shuffler. Do you see any possibility where noise is an issue and be a distraction?

 

[Jam6885]

I agree the thing is loud... I would say that is my main gripe with the shuffle tech.

Also, the first night I used it, I personally hated it, as I had to operate the thing and felt like it was a full time job that was taking away from my enjoyment of the game. However after setting expectations that the dealer is responsible for collecting cards after the deal and passing back in a neat stub has lead to more hands per hour and less work for me, which equals way better experience for the operator (me).

Has everyone become accustomed to the noise? My biggest concern is it being too noisy during game play. Is yours mounted in the table?

 

[JoeBGo]

I am curious about the noise level. I know it's very subjective. I have heard numerous complaints on how loud it is. I've heard people say how it's not too loud. I also realize each situation is different. But I do plan on mounting in table like you have. From some reviews I've heard that most of the noise comes from the top. So I was curious about 3D printing a new lid that dampens the noise. All in all it would be nice for convenience to have an auto shuffler. Do you see any possibility where noise is an issue and be a distraction?

I don’t think you’d have to go as far as 3D printing a new lid. Some dense 1/4” foam placed on the underside of the lid would do plenty to dampen the sound. But I would only suggest that if you are going to use poker sized cards exclusively.

 

[Jam6885]

I don’t think you’d have to go as far as 3D printing a new lid. Some dense 1/4” foam placed on the underside of the lid would do plenty to dampen the sound. But I would only suggest that I’d you are going to use poker sized cards exclusively.

Makes sense to me. I am a newbie when it comes to hosting and I only have stardard cards I didn't even realize there were bridge sized until I joined to forum. All in all do you think this is a good investment? Mostly looking for convenience and consistency. Thanks!

 

[doublebooyah85]

How quiet is your game?

Sports on? Music on? People socially talk? Non issue…

 

[Jam6885]

How quiet is your game?

Sports on? Music on? People socially talk? Non issue…

I would say social enough to where music is ambient noise and so is sports. The socialization is pretty loud I would say. Just hesitant to buy the unit and cut a hole in my table just to say bad idea lol. But I really don't think it will be an issue just not getting the warm and fuzzy feeling yet.

 

[DoubleEagle]

I am curious about the noise level. I know it's very subjective. I have heard numerous complaints on how loud it is.

I bought one about 10 years ago. The first night I put it in play the players started laughing how loud and irritating it was. I sold it the next day.

I know others love theirs, but it didn't work for me.

 

[doublebooyah85]

I bought one about 10 years ago. The first night I put it in play the players started laughing how loud and irritating it was. I sold it the next day.

I know others love theirs, but it didn't work for me.

Wow!

Everyone that plays w it in my game is thrilled with how much it makes the game quicker. We also have a designated dealer which I assume you will.

 

[Jam6885]

Wow!

Everyone that plays w it in my game is thrilled with how much it makes the game quicker. We also have a designated dealer which I assume you will.

I won't have a dealer but will have two decks and we will all be very helpful in passing/cutting etc.
And reviews that I have found way they have changed thru the years. Idk the validity in this but taking a review from 10 years ago, although may be applicable, I am more interested in newer production models

 

[doublebooyah85]

I won't have a dealer but will have two decks and we will all be very helpful in passing/cutting etc.
And reviews that I have found way they have changed thru the years. Idk the validity in this but taking a review from 10 years ago, although may be applicable, I am more interested in newer production models

I’d be more interested in reviews of people w a shuffle tech but still passing the deal. Sounds over cumbersome when they are across the table from it.

My cut out is between the dealer and 9 seat. (9 handed). In that example the middle person is constantly going to be passing a deck around they might as well deal.

What type of game you run? Tips alone dealers may great money someone may be willing to volunteer once they see how easy it is lol.

 

[jpietrella]

Wow!

Everyone that plays w it in my game is thrilled with how much it makes the game quicker. We also have a designated dealer which I assume you will.

I've said this before but it bears repeating. These units are fantastic and people in my games are idiots. I bought one of these and it was awesome - albeit somewhat noisy (In most games I don't think it really matters - there's typically enough ambient noise (conversation, TV, music) that it drowns it out.) - but my friends are complete morons and they prefer not to use it because it "complicates things."

Anyway, I sold it because they are expensive to just have sitting around, but I've missed it every day since.

 

[upNdown]

I w

but my friends are complete morons and they prefer not to use it because it "complicates things."

I am a complete moron!!

 

[swana]

Has everyone become accustomed to the noise? My biggest concern is it being too noisy during game play. Is yours mounted in the table?

We usually have music on (not too loud) and the conversation is usually pretty lively. The shuffle tech is loud but not unbearably so. I'm definitely glad I have one and use it pretty much every time I host. I keep it on a side table it's not mounted in my poker table or a cabinet.

 

[Jam6885]

We usually have music on (not too loud) and the conversation is usually pretty lively. The shuffle tech is loud but not unbearably so. I'm definitely glad I have one and use it pretty much every time I host. I keep it on a side table it's not mounted in my poker table or a cabinet.

Thanks for the review. I custom built my poker tables and will likely cut a hole to flush mount. Maybe build a damper underneath and put some closed cell foam under lid if there is enough clearance. Do you think there is 1/4" between the lid and the cards when done shuffling?

 

[Rakrul]

I am curious about the noise level. I know it's very subjective. I have heard numerous complaints on how loud it is. I've heard people say how it's not too loud. I also realize each situation is different. But I do plan on mounting in table like you have. From some reviews I've heard that most of the noise comes from the top. So I was curious about 3D printing a new lid that dampens the noise. All in all it would be nice for convenience to have an auto shuffler. Do you see any possibility where noise is an issue and be a distraction?

I have a talkative bunch and background music so it's easily drowned out. While you can hear it well, it's easy to zone out. If you can find something to dampen sound coming from the lid, you'd be golden.

 

[lib]

I have a talkative bunch and background music so it's easily drowned out. While you can hear it well, it's easy to zone out. If you can find something to dampen sound coming from the lid, you'd be golden.

I really never notice the sound from the shuffler, but the game I attend has a larger than life dealer demanding a lot of attention from the players.

 

[Jam6885]

I'm a designated dealer at my games and I'm using the shuffler as I'm also playing. It is noisy even when mounted in the table, but people only reacted to the noise the first 2-3 times. Most of all they were all grateful for not having to deal themselves.

If you have a group of players who can shuffle and don't mind, your upside isn't that great (unless you fear card mechanics). However, most players prefer dedicated dealer and not having to shuffle. Also, with a central dealer you can run a "clean" table, where you collect the pot after each betting round, has a muck pile, etc. I see some home game pictures where it looks like there's been a fight at the table but when you're dealing from the end of the table you need to involve several other players, and you should prefer as few hands as possible interacting with the pot.

When I run the table, the burn cards goes under (main) pot. The stub goes left of the community cards, and the muck pile is on top of the shuffler. Side pots goes to the left of the community cards. PS! We only play NLHE. Only confusion is when I'm drunk and miss some action, but the players correct me before any damage is done.
pr0n/proof (both examples has one player tanking);
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I just installed my shuffletech! I'll be the full time dealer as well. How do you handling dealing? Specifically do you allow anyone to cut prior to dealing?

 

[Szczesnk]

I just installed my shuffletech! I'll be the full time dealer as well. How do you handling dealing? Specifically do you allow anyone to cut prior to dealing?

Do it just like a casino, present the deck from the tray and cut it yourself. Much quicker than always asking for a cut.

 

[Szczesnk]

I just installed my shuffletech! I'll be the full time dealer as well. How do you handling dealing? Specifically do you allow anyone to cut prior to dealing?

You will love it! Yeah, noisy sure...Yada yada if you play in a quiet environment sure, but who does? Music on, game on the TV, conversations, you won't even notice it. That's my personal experience.

 

[Buge]

I just installed my shuffletech! I'll be the full time dealer as well. How do you handling dealing? Specifically do you allow anyone to cut prior to dealing?

I just started dealing for my games and I just remove the cards from the shuffler and do a standard 1 hand casino cut. No need to have another person cut every hand. Your players will appreciate not having to shuffle or deal and will not think twice about the cut!

 

[Jam6885]

You will love it! Yeah, noisy sure...Yada yada if you play in a quiet environment sure, but who does? Music on, game on the TV, conversations, you won't even notice it. That's my personal experience.

Exactly! I was scared at first but after install I was expecting it to be louder. In a quiet large room it amplified the noise and it still was not unbearable in the least

 

[bigblind]

received mine just before Christmas, used it in my new years game, everyone loved it,
It was a game changer

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

+1 on GAME CHANGER!

I've been the Dedicated Dealer since I bought mine & because I don't have to shuffle it's super easy. No more passing cards around the table has really streamlined the whole process not to mention you save $ on cut cards because you only need 1 lol! My players love it & we have way moar hands.

I chose to put mine in a side cart mostly because I wanted to decrease the chance of my clay chips hitting the metal mounting bracket when the pots were scooped. I believe the sound is more muffled this way too but if you're tight on space around the table that might not be the best option for you.

Last week I conducted a small sample size experiment: I took 16.decks by 7 different brands, sorted A-K, A-K, A-K & A-K. Didn't wash & inserted decks with the 7 shuffle mode selected then removed & didn't cut after to see how effective it was at just randomizing the decks. Here were my results:

Imo much better than casual dealers that don't take pride in their shuffling or too drunk to care. Did I mention moar hands?!?

For the haters out there: Plastic cards are noisy in the 1st place. The shuffletech is more of a static sound that you get used to very quickly. Now your card choices are greater because it doesn't really matter what brand you choose!

If sound is still a concern you can always Dynomat the inside of the lid. (you just won't be able to see inside)

 

[Jam6885]

+1 on GAME CHANGER!

I've been the Dedicated Dealer since I bought mine & because I don't have to shuffle it's super easy. No more passing cards around the table has really streamlined the whole process not to mention you save $ on cut cards because you only need 1 lol! My players love it & we have way moar hands.

I chose to put mine in a side cart mostly because I wanted to decrease the chance of my clay chips hitting the metal mounting bracket when the pots were scooped. I believe the sound is more muffled this way too but if you're tight on space around the table that might not be the best option for you.

Last week I conducted a small sample size experiment: I took 16.decks by 7 different brands, sorted A-K, A-K, A-K & A-K. Didn't wash & inserted decks with the 7 shuffle mode selected then removed & didn't cut after to see how effective it was at just randomizing the decks. Here were my results:

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Imo much better than casual dealers that don't take pride in their shuffling or too drunk to care. Did I mention moar hands?!?

For the haters out there: Plastic cards are noisy in the 1st place. The shuffletech is more of a static sound that you get used to very quickly. Now your card choices are greater because it doesn't really matter what brand you choose!

If sound is still a concern you can always Dynomat the inside of the lid. (you just won't be able to see inside)

This is awesome. I share all the same as you! Do you have a preference on your favorite cards? For jams, noise, etc?

Mine is in my table, if for some odd reason it is noisy, I was going to insulate from bottom and the lid, though I don't anticipate issues.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

I've had great success with Faded Spade 2.0 but have recently started using everything to switch it up. If the cards are clean & not warped I doubt you will have many issues.

 

[Jam6885]

I've had great success with Faded Spade 2.0 but have recently started using everything to switch it up. If the cards are clean & not warped I doubt you will have many issues.

Here's my set up

 

[Rakrul]

I just installed my shuffletech! I'll be the full time dealer as well. How do you handling dealing? Specifically do you allow anyone to cut prior to dealing?

Nope. I cut myself, every time.
I also recommend this book. I read the '98 version, not sure what has changed but I'm sure it's useful.

 

[tabletalker7]

I just installed my shuffletech! I'll be the full time dealer as well. How do you handling dealing? Specifically do you allow anyone to cut prior to dealing?

In games where I deal I have the button cut. That way it rotates around.

 

[davethesave]

Thinking of selling one of mine… want to use funds to get a foosball table. Hmm…