Automatic card shufflers for home games — worth it? (2 Viewers)

[David251999]

I wanted to get some opinions from people who run or play in regular home games.

At our games I’m the dedicated dealer probably 90% of the time, and usually the person sitting to my left is responsible for shuffling the second deck while the hand is being played. The system works most of the time, but occasionally the deck doesn’t get shuffled in time or it’s forgotten and we end up waiting on me to shuffle it.

Because of that I’ve been considering getting an automatic shuffler something like the Shuffle Tech ST‑1000 Card Shuffler. It seems like it would keep the game moving and make things easier when I’m dealing most of the night.

My question is for people who actually run home games:

• Are automatic shufflers actually worth it, or do they end up being more trouble than they’re worth?
• Do they meaningfully speed up hands per hour, or is the two-deck system still better?
• If I were to get one, would something like the ST-1000 be good enough?

The other option would be going all the way and getting a DeckMate-style casino shuffler, but that seems pretty overkill for a home game considering they can run several thousand dollars.

So I’m curious what everyone here thinks:

• Buy something like a Shuffle Tech?
• Ball out and get a DeckMate?
• Or just stick with two decks and no machine?

Would love to hear experiences from anyone who’s actually used one in a home game.

 

[doublebooyah85]

If I had to deal my own game without a doubt I would either

Hire a dealer
Buy a shuffle tech

 

[BPTDirector]

I have a shuffle tech. Totally worth it in my opinion.

 

[RofoPoker]

Also have a Shuffle Tech and agree it's worth it. I'm sure you've checked around the forums for the caveats with it, but in case you haven't I will summarize:

1. It's noisy. But you get used to it and there are ways to mitigate it, such as mounting it into a side cart or cabinet lined with soundproofing material. Between background music and table chatter we barely notice it anymore.
2. It will jam here and there on you, likely more frequently than a DeckMate would. Keeping the rollers clean (and hands and cards clean) and using good quality plastic cards will reduce the frequency. It's usually not hard to clear when it does jam, and cleaning the rollers after sessions is pretty easy with some long swabs and rubbing alcohol.
3. Works best with poker size cards. People can and do use bridge size in it but per the manual that will increase the frequency of jams and/or cards being flipped and therefore potentially exposed during the deal. Being stuck with poker size is a bigger deal for some than for others.

Anyway it's not perfect but for the price (especially relative to a DeckMate) it's, to use the language, very "plus EV" in my opinion.

 

[Rakrul]

We did pass the deck the earlier and half were useless at shuffling, let alone deal and pay attention so I raked the game 5%, capped at 2bb until we could afford one. Then I was the dedicated dealer.

You won't really get much more hands per hour as you're running it as I can easily do a 3 riffle and strip faster than the shuffle-tech but it's helluva lot more convenient and worth it. Also, people more easily volunteer to be the dedicated dealer when they don't have to shuffle, for portions of the night with it. Finally, you don't have to worry about card mechanics and your players doesn't either which is a big, unmentioned win.

 

[Moxie Mike]

I've been using a Shuffletech in my game for close to a couple of years now. I discussed the benefits recently here.

 

[bigblind]

Shuffle tech is the way to go. It will definitely speed up your game

 

[Machine]

• Buy something like a Shuffle Tech?
• Ball out and get a DeckMate?
• Or just stick with two decks and no machine?

Would love to hear experiences from anyone who’s actually used one in a home game.

I would ask for more information.

If you plan to set it on the table, that will be a mistake.
If you want to use bridge cards for your game? I have found that shuffle techs will box the card - flip a random card upside down if it is bridge
What game do you primarily play in NLH?

It will help, but you'll need to clean it regularly.

I had a Shuffle Tech and switched to the Deckmate.

 

[thePokerClub]

I have a Shuffle Box for each table to give my players the option to use.

I will use it from time to time, but players usually don't use them. We shuffle behind so seems easier/less convoluted to just manually shuffle.

 

[ThrowBack]

I have one of those $15 shufflers and we use the shuffle behind method

No real complaints

 

[Smokestack997]

Seeing a lot of shuffletech love so I want to give praise to the deckmate.

I went all-in on a deckmate because after reading the comparisons I thought the deckmate offered more features. The deckmate 1 also allows for different numbers of cards, so you can play short-deck, a deck with jokers, or even double deck (useful for blackjack!). It has removable spacers which allow for both bridge size or poker size cards. Compared to the shuffletech the DM1 is a completely random shuffle based on RNG. It's pretty quiet once you put it into a box or cabinet with some noise cancellation foam.

@minedelta on this forum basically wrote up a second users manual for the deckmate, so you can buy with confidence!

 

[Rakrul]

I don't think anyone argues for ST being better than DM, it's just a matter 4-5x the cost for the DM.

 

[TheRealTeddyKGB]

No brainer if you're already the dedicated dealer: it's totally worth it.

I had a Shuffletech & used it weekly for about 5 years. Had to send it back twice to be repaired. Turnaround time was 7-14 days. Last year at this time they were closed for repairs for months which led me to pulling the trigger on a Deckmate. Paranoia is REAL & after you own an autoshuffler you will never want to go back.

If you buy a "reasonably solid @RocAFella1 edition" DM1 the thing should last a lifetime*

*If it doesn't I have the DM Whisperer @minedelta on speed dial not to mention several other members here for customer support.

 

[minedelta]

This post always comes up time to time and I am pro shuffler all the way ST-1000 or DM1. Where ever your budget lies I would go with that.

Most of these guys here who have a DM1 are also the same guys that spend money on nice set/sets of chips or a nice table. So if that's you I would go with a DM1

Both options you can always re list it here and usally can find a buyer if you decide it's not for you.

 

[Machine]

Thanks again for the DM support yesterday @minedelta !!!

 

[danopoker]

Personally? Two decks, one DM1, zero regrets.

The only downside is that the shuffler might take away from the aura of your custom poker chips. Or that if you're married, a new piece of jewelry might have to be included in the purchase price.

But it elevates the game noticeably. If you're already acting as the dedicated dealer, and have the means, do yourself a favor and splurge.

It's like having a brand-new snowblower rather than a tiny shovel. Sure, you can clear your driveway with a shovel. If you can afford a snowblower, you get a snowblower and never look back.

 

[Gavin]

Bought a used ST-1000 here on PCF recently and had a custom cart built for it: https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/custom-shuffle-tech-1000-rolling-cart.140668/

Total cost ended up being about $1K - for the ST-1000, rolling cart, and a recently purchased power station that works like a charm and fits in the underneath section (no more cord - yay!).

I've used it about 8 times and very happy with it - no regrets whatsoever (being the permanent dealer). Framed it to my regulars that "I bought it for you guys, so any tips/donations are appreciated". Not entirely a true statement, but I have received donations and they have been entirely appreciated .

No real downsides as of yet, but again, only used it about 8 times so far. Yeah, a little noisy, but I had noise reducing foam installed inside the cart. Haven't had any shuffle jams that required me to manually fix (yet ). And I'm always cleaning the rollers after every use and only use Copag poker-size cards.

Yes it has been worth it! Our game has sped up and definitely helps with the players that forget to shuffle, or heaven forbid, the players that just suck at shuffling or can't shuffle at all . It really makes the dedicated dealer even more in charge, so much so that they are now the one that dictates the game pace (if that is also what you are looking for )...

But just like @Rakrul mentions above - it's all a matter of budget. I couldn't justify spending 4x-5x more on a DM, so I went with a ST-1000 and I'm very happy so far.

Hope this helps!

 

[Old State]

Where is the best black to buy a DM1?

 

[Rhodeman77]

I love the Shuffle Tech. Once you find cards that work well with it, it is a dream. Currently using the new Broken Arrow poker sized cards, 3 games in with them and not a single jam!

If you are being the full time dealer as host, the previous dealer position should be cleaning up the cards and shuffling that deck while you deal. It’s not fair to have the same player next to you shuffle every hand.

 

[SetToBean]

The ShuffleTech was a huge bonus for my game. A dedicated dealer game with it can sustain 25+ hands/hr more consistently because less issues with the dealer getting caught shuffling in the middle of a hand they're playing (the biggest loss of time I saw before I got it).

Also have a Shuffle Tech and agree it's worth it. I'm sure you've checked around the forums for the caveats with it, but in case you haven't I will summarize:

1. It's noisy. But you get used to it and there are ways to mitigate it, such as mounting it into a side cart or cabinet lined with soundproofing material. Between background music and table chatter we barely notice it anymore.
2. It will jam here and there on you, likely more frequently than a DeckMate would. Keeping the rollers clean (and hands and cards clean) and using good quality plastic cards will reduce the frequency. It's usually not hard to clear when it does jam, and cleaning the rollers after sessions is pretty easy with some long swabs and rubbing alcohol.
3. Works best with poker size cards. People can and do use bridge size in it but per the manual that will increase the frequency of jams and/or cards being flipped and therefore potentially exposed during the deal. Being stuck with poker size is a bigger deal for some than for others.

Anyway it's not perfect but for the price (especially relative to a DeckMate) it's, to use the language, very "plus EV" in my opinion.

I will note on bridge cards that there is a not-insignificant risk that the ST will suffer a catastrophic jam and crimp bridge-sized cards - happened to me once which sucked (not ST's fault though, but rather because the card manufacturer had terrible [non-existent] customer support even though I was ready to pay for a replacement).

 

[Carnth]

DM snob here.
Auto shufflers are obviously a huge help. And DM shufflers are fast enough that you will always have a shuffled deck ready to go, even in heads up tournaments.
It keeps the game flow optimal and keeps whoever is acting as dealer from getting fatigued.
But the ultimate question is: is it worth it?
I think... for people who are on this poker forum... the answer is: Yes (if you have the extra money for it).
We (on this forum ) take poker more seriously than those filthy casuals, so we understand.
As a DM owner, I would recommend getting one, and @minedelta has some for sale right now.
But they are hella expensive, and out of the reach for a lot of us. It took me a bit but when my investments finally paid off, I bought one instead of a cruise. Worth it.

 

[junkandjunk]

I love chips. I want more of them. Always on the hunt for new ones. Drooling over those just out of reach sets and crying in broke.

With that said, I'd actually go back to dice chips and buy a deckmate before I bought chips if I had to start over. It's that good. I want a 2nd one for the rare times I have a 2nd table going. If I had any sort of regularity it'd already be on the way.

Shuffletech? I considered it being the budget option, but between not being able to use bridge cards reliably and apparently the noise, I scrapped it.

Deckmate ALL the way.

 

[doublebooyah85]

I love chips. I want more of them. Always on the hunt for new ones. Drooling over those just out of reach sets and crying in broke.

With that said, I'd actually go back to dice chips and buy a deckmate before I bought chips if I had to start over. It's that good. I want a 2nd one for the rare times I have a 2nd table going. If I had any sort of regularity it'd already be on the way.

Shuffletech? I considered it being the budget option, but between not being able to use bridge cards reliably and apparently the noise, I scrapped it.

Deckmate ALL the way.

My Shuffle tech uses bridge cards just fine, that being said my next table will have a deck mate

 

[Old State]

I love chips. I want more of them. Always on the hunt for new ones. Drooling over those just out of reach sets and crying in broke.

With that said, I'd actually go back to dice chips and buy a deckmate before I bought chips if I had to start over. It's that good. I want a 2nd one for the rare times I have a 2nd table going. If I had any sort of regularity it'd already be on the way.

Shuffletech? I considered it being the budget option, but between not being able to use bridge cards reliably and apparently the noise, I scrapped it.

Deckmate ALL the way.

Could not agree more on all points. But I’m 51 so my first cheap chips I thought were great were these. Dice chips weren’t invented yet

I’d gladly go back to these chips vs giving up a nice table and plastic cards….and the the Shuffler. Those things all improve the game from a practical standpoint more than chips do IMO.

Also passed on the Shuffletech for the same exact reasons. Their CS told me three years ago they were working on a new bridge variant but thats never come about

 

[Coyote]

Copy-pasting my reply to a very similar thread:

"If the machine is "digested" under the table and lies smoothly on the surface, it deserves to be a relatively expensive (Shuffletech) or very expensive (Deckmate) one, and it's reasonable for the machine to dictate card size.
If on a side table, no need for big spending, since it's by definition a not-so-convenient solution. A Chinese-made cheapo (not necessarily the cheapest) will do the job with any cards. If it breaks down, you get another."

At any rate, you will need two decks, one being shuffled, one in play.
Unless you get a dedicated, professional, non-playing dealer.
But, be careful whom you get into your house.

Re-Edit: Needless to say, games where each player shuffles feel just deplorable and death-slow, once you have experienced an automatic machine, let alone a dedicated dealer.

 

[TheWhat]

Re-Edit: Needless to say, games where each player shuffles feel just deplorable and death-slow, once you have experienced an automatic machine, let alone a dedicated dealer.

Absolutely this! Not sure I can talk myself into a Deckmate, particularly given that Wifey knows the cost, and we play .50 / .50 for the most part ... but it's painful now post Shuffletech to watch, or have to shuffle.

 

[Old State]

Deckmate 1 plus my 14 year old son dealing the game is quite amazing. Players are now very spoiled

 

[justsomedude]

A Chinese-made cheapo (not necessarily the cheapest) will do the job with any cards. If it breaks down, you get another."

100% this.

While Deckmates are a heckuva luxury, I played a home game Saturday where the host unveiled one of those $60 Amazon shuffler/dealer gizmos on a side table. We disabled the deal feature and just used it for shuffling.

It was his first time using it, and running two decks there was never one jam or hiccup, it significantly sped up the game, and everyone was regularly commenting about how nice it was to have.

Host even commented: “If it breaks, whatever, it was 60 bucks and I’ll just buy another one.”

 

[Rhodeman77]

I have always been a fan of bridge sized cards. Mostly because they are easier to shuffle. I have switched over to poker sized cards because of the jamming issues with bridge size. Since then I have had almost no jams I don’t have an issue with poker sized cards because I’m not shuffling them.

 

[junkandjunk]

While Deckmates are a heckuva luxury, I played a home game Saturday where the host unveiled one of those $60 Amazon shuffler/dealer gizmos on a side table. We disabled the deal feature and just used it for shuffling.

It was his first time using it, and running two decks there was never one jam or hiccup, it significantly sped up the game, and everyone was regularly commenting about how nice it was to have.

Host even commented: “If it breaks, whatever, it was 60 bucks and I’ll just buy another one.”

If it's the same one i'm thinking of, oddly enough I was kind of debating on getting one of these for dealing purposes.
Shuffling would be terrible though unless you "preshuffled" somehow because none of the bottom cards would ever end up on top and vice versa. Any eagle eyed player could easily track where key cards go. This could be fixed with a good wash or a bunch of stripping but it's extra steps and someone still needs to do it.