Software developer AC&G Software Ltd. last week launched what the company is calling the first global wireless blackjack tournament, and participants are vying for a $10,000 grand prize.
The championship, developed and organized by AC&G, is the first to be created specifically for multiple players on a wireless platform. Players download the tournament software to their PDA at the tournament’s website.
After the software has been loaded, players compete against each other for free.
The tournament is setup to run on a monthly basis, but players can join anytime. The more money a player wins in a month the better their chances are for winning the grand prize.
In addition to the cash other prizes such as a big-screen television, a trip to Las Vegas or casino chips are awarded as well.
The tournament relies solely on advertising money for its revenue. Online casino startup Elephant Casino.com is the tournaments initial sponsor.
AC&G spokesperson Mark Friedman said that, although the tournament format has started under a play-for-fun format, they hope to expand to a pay-for-play format once the player base can be expanded.
"It is one of the strategic goals of the tournament to provide real money play in the future," Friedman said. "However, the PDA wireless market is too small for this now, but we're trying to make the first steps toward this goal."
AC&G developed the software to resemble blackjack play at a traditional casino, according to Friedman.
"We're playing the game with one deck," he said. "You can see the available percentage of the deck, while you're playing the game. After the deck runs out, the game reshuffles."
Despite being only in its second week of operation Friedman said the initial response to the tournament has been unbelievable.
"We've had over 10,000 downloads and a very positive reception," he said. "Our players believe that this is the most sophisticated blackjack game created for the Palm OS to date. Other games on the market were developed by programmers and game writers, ours was created by blackjack fans."
Although the tournament has received a positive initial response from players, it's been a harder sell for prospective advertisers, but Friedman feels that this is changing.
"This is a very different medium for advertisers," he said. "We’re pioneers in this industry. Advertisers have to get used to the idea of advertising on an electronic pocket device. We’re a fully sponsorship supported computer game on a handheld and we understand the challenges that come with the territory."
In addition to signing up Elephant Casino, Friedman says other firms are showing an interest. Thankfully, savvy marketers understand the opportunities that are associated with an uncluttered, highly targeted medium," he said. "We’ve signed up ElephantCasino.com as the first sponsor of the tournament for three months and over the past couple of days we’ve received several inquiries from online as well as large land based casinos for sponsorship."
AC&G has big plans for its global tournament. Friedman said the company has a goal of 200,000 downloads of the tournament software within two weeks.
Friedman also points out that the potential for the wireless platform is endless.
"We believe that viral aspect and the inherent longevity of the medium will generate results for casinos that want to build brand awareness and loyalty," he said. "Based on the results of the first two weeks our sponsor is very pleased with the results and they're considering rebooking with us."
The BlackJack World Championship site can be found at www.blackjackchamp.com.