Danger, Will Robinson! Automated dealers have already invaded Donald Trump's Atlantic City casinos; now comes word that the program is preparing to begin trials in Las Vegas. Poker Pro, an automated poker table system developed by PokerTek, has been cleared by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to be field tested in the state.

PokerPro uses software to deal to actual players seated around a table. Because shuffling and actual handling of cards is not involved, more hands are available in a given period of time, and mistakes judging hands are eliminated. At Trump casinos, the rake has been lowered to draw players.

Players see their hands on screens set before them. The flop, turn, and river are displayed in the center of the table.

But many poker enthusiasts see the human interaction as part of the game. Joe Geraldo, a player leaving a game at the poker room in Harrah's New Orleans Casino, said, "Part of the fun is the interaction, and a good dealer can make even a bad night a remarkably enjoyable one. Iavoid games with robotic dealers cause they bore me. Isn't this idea worse?"

A good dealer does much more than deal out cards. Controlling the game, allowing banter but keeping focus on the action, and enforcing rules are all contributions from a human dealer that a computer has trouble matching.

Tommy Palinsky of Hollywood, Florida made a strong point."When I want to play automated, I go online. Isn't the whole idea of going to a casino to get the human touch? If Gulfstream (Park) puts in robot dealers, should we expect to see robot horses next?"

Casinos pursuing the PokerPro model may find themselves aiding their own demise. Online poker has many adherrents, and casinos are best suited to emphasize their particular advantages, rather than imitate online play. If people find online poker and casino poker to be more and more similar, why then leave the house to play cards?