Cashless electronic poker table and method

A system for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players, comprising:

• an electronic poker table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players;
• a plurality of ticket readers, each ticket reader coupled to one of the electronic player interaction areas for reading tickets having an associated value;
• and,
• a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the device for administering the electronic poker game by using electronic cards and electronic chips and for associating the value of a first ticket read by one of the ticket readers at an associated electronic player interaction area and associating the value of the first ticket with the player assigned to the associated electronic player interaction area and allowing the associated player to purchase electronic chips with at least a portion of the value of the first ticket.

A method for providing an electronic poker game to a plurality of players via one or more electronic poker tables and a server computer, each electronic poker table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the server computer being coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic poker game, each electronic poker table having at least one device for reading tickets having an associated value, comprising:

• administering the electronic poker game by using electronic cards and electronic chips;
• reading a first ticket by the device;
• associating the value of the first ticket with one of the players;
• and,
• allowing the one player to purchase electronic chips with at least a portion of the value of the first ticket.