Best Table Gaming Innovation

Selections for this category were made at the discretion of the judges, who were instructed to choose any product they felt had provided an outstanding contribution to the development of the Asian casino table gaming industry in the last year.

Nominees
Manufacturer	Title
Sasian Gaming	UP2U Baccarat
Shuffle Master	i-Table
TCSJOHNHUXLEY	AccuPLAY System
Walker Digital	Elite Baccarat

Winner: Sasian Gaming – UP2U Baccarat

UP2U Baccarat, from Sasian Gaming, is a baccarat variant that offers the player a choice between traditional player/banker bets and reverse commission bets. With the latter, players get paid more than even money for wins on one to six points. With the reverse commission formula the house advantage of the new betting configuration also increases, making the formula a winner for both players and the bank.

While house advantage on the traditional player/banker bets remains the same, the UP2U player/banker bets offer increased payments, as well as a bonus opportunity. Sasian states that UP2U Baccarat can increase average house advantage by 43%, compared to the traditional format. It adds that its house advantage comparison chart is GLI certified.

UP2U Baccarat was introduced to Las Vegas Sands’ Venetian Macao and Sand Macao properties in December, 2009.

Honourable Mention: Walker Digital – Elite Baccarat

“The Elite table remains faithful to our Chinese guest’s favourite game [baccarat], but allows them to switch, press or make a late tie bet after the first four cards have been exposed,” said one of the judges. The Elite system takes card data from any smart shoe, reads the amount of the player’s bet with RFID technology and then calculates instantly in real time payout odds based on the guests betting choice and amount of their wager.

“Truly groundbreaking stuff… currently up and running at Genting Malaysia and about to be introduced in the Philippines,” added the judge.

The game is currently awaiting approval from Macau’s regulator, the DICJ.