Good questions
a) will they bring in people that wouldn't normally sit at a casino poker table?
I don't think so. I figure people who don't play at a casino poker table either play online (in which case why bother to go to a casino to do something similar, but where you have to wear pants) or don't play poker (in which case these machines aren't going to make them start). I guess for some new players, the intimidation factor might be less - no worrying about when to act, shaky hands, etc. But at the same time, they are less enticing, so I figure it is a wash.
b) will they replace regular tables in other casinos?
My guess is a maybe at a few, but not most. The Excalibur might well keep them, and have them be a novelty there. And maybe they'll pop-up in a few of the other lesser rooms that don't want to pay a staff, in Vegas and elsewhere. But I think for most B&M players, myself included, chips and cards are part of the experience. After all, they have electronic blackjack, and that hasn't replaced the tables.
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