PokerTek heads out to sea with new contract

Electronic poker on the high seas was such a hit with Carnival Cruise customers, the company has signed up to install 22 new PokerTek tables on its fleet.

The installation comes after a trial run of the dealer-less and chip-less PokerPro tables on three Carnival vessels last year.

The tables were put in place at the cruise line's casinos last April, with the expectation of expansion if the tables proved popular. The latest additions will be up and running by the end of the year.

"We continue to be impressed with how quickly the Princess guests learn to play PokerPro and how reliable the product has proven itself," said Carnival vice president of casino operations Rodney Dofort in a release.

The company's Princess Cruises showcased the 10-person Texas Hold'em tables, which deal cards to players on private screens and a community screen. PokerTek designed the system to cut cost for casino operators by eliminating dealers, cards and chips.

Neither company released the financial terms of the deal.

Related Articles:

PokerTek Signs with Carnival Cruises
Technology Brings Hold'em To Casinos Without Poker Rooms