Wireless Poker Controller Coming to Market

This week marked the Casino Affiliate Programs (CAP) Conference in London. Affiliates from around the world, as well as nearly every online poker site you can name, were in attendance. Making its debut at the CAP Expo was the Wireless Poker Controller, created by Poker Controls. The hand-held device creates an entirely new environment to play online poker. It is set to hit the market in April, but PokerSoftware.com has a sneak peak in an exclusive interview with its creator, Jonathan Caplan.

PokerSoftware.com expert Chris "Fox" Wallace explained the importance of devices like the Wireless Poker Controller: "With the Navigamer, Wireless Poker Controller, and AHK scripts that allow you to use a gamepad to control your poker tables, we can actually see poker as a game again. I've been using a programmable gaming mouse for a while now, but it doesn't even compare to what these things can do. Plus, the Poker Controller comes with a 'tilt button!' We all need one of those!"

PokerSoftware.com: Tell us how the idea arose for the Wireless Poker Controller (pictured).

Caplan: As an experienced online poker player for eight years, I play on the major sites. My results include a first place finish in the PokerStars Sunday Warm-Up for $94,000, eight PokerStars $100 rebuy final tables, and two second place finishes in the PokerStars $320. I like to think that I have the hang of the game.

While playing online, I noticed that it simply did not make sense that when I wanted to make a certain bet or move, I was held back by the fact that the on-screen bet meter did not input the right bet amount or I simply mis-clicked as another game window opened. I encountered many stupid errors like this that were no fault of my own while playing for hours and hours bent over a PC and a mouse. I thought that this can’t be the best way and started to brainstorm.

PokerSoftware.com: What challenges did you face in its development? Where did you solicit user design feedback from?

Caplan: Development was a long and arduous process, although had we not faced all of the obstacles and problems that we did, we would not have been able to develop the Poker Controller as it is today. I wanted to make something that was simple to use, fast, effective, accurate, and robust. Many of the earlier models did not hit each of our criteria and it took many man hours of research and development to come up with the product that you see today. We collected feedback from over 7,500 players to date from all over the world who have expressed the same desire for better controls to help them play, hence the name Poker Controls.

PokerSoftware.com: What feedback did you receive from the CAP Conference?

Caplan: We were very hopeful of the product prior to the conference due to all of the feedback worldwide from both players and operators. There was a buzz around the Poker Controls booth (pictured at left) with both players and operators coming to test out the new Wireless Poker Controller. We expect to begin distribution to the market in the coming weeks.

PokerSoftware.com: Talk about its compatibility with major online poker rooms.

Caplan: The Poker Controller is fully compatible with all of the major online poker rooms. We will initially be distributing through the poker rooms themselves and then they will hit the open market shortly thereafter.

PokerSoftware.com: What can players expect when they multi-table with the Wireless Poker Controller?
 
Caplan: The Poker Controller has also pioneered a new dimension in switching between multiple tables in play. Unlike the current scenario where a poker player must use the mouse to click on the game window they wish to control, the Poker Controller features unique table switching buttons that are easily clicked with a player's forefingers. These switches enable the player to flick left and right between game windows with lighting speed and allow them to keep their positioning over the main play area.

Additionally, on-screen prompts provided by the Poker Controls software application also act as a quick view of the current table in play. This new way of switching tables completely avoids the problem of betting on the wrong table. With the Wireless Poker Controller, a player can only bet when they have actively 'selected' the game window and only then can they make the appropriate play.

PokerSoftware.com: What separates your product from others like it in the industry?

Caplan: Poker Control's patented technology has completely revolutionized the way in which poker will be played online for years to come. There is nothing else like this on the market that even compares in terms of technology or software. Other devices have cropped up over the years which have seemed to follow the idea of externally controlling game play, but they come from a 'gimmicky' point of view. None have focused on the needs of the player and provided real solutions.

PokerSoftware.com: What do you foresee as the future of the wireless controller market?

Caplan: The market will only grow from here. Poker Controls intends to be the Sony of the gaming world. We already have several new devices in development that are set to both enhance the game and improve play considerably. Our products clearly meet both the needs of the players and the standards of the ever-evolving high-tech world.

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