Mark Grochala - Creator of Casino Game "Props and Hops"

Mark Grochala has a plan for his future. He is part of one of the top casino management team in the world. This has not made him complacent. He took the time to develop a new casino game called "Props and Hops". This game will be unveil at the Raving Table Games Conference in Las Vegas.

The convention is at the Paris Hotel. I spoke with Mark prior to the tradeshow and asked him a series of questions.  If  you are creative, you will definitely enjoy this.

 

 

1). How long have you worked on developing this game?

 "It took us about six months from concept to where it is now."

2).Where was this idea develop?

 "I was supervising one of those crap games where that had heavy prop action every roll. One of those games that the staff and players really dislikes.  We started talking about how the game of craps has changed.  When I started dealing in 1983, prop bets were generally made on the come out roll.  The old timers would make place bets and come bets, then come down with odds.  The games were fast and they would flow.  Now the game has slowed considerably.   The newer players like the high payoff bets.  On that particular day, a dealer sarcastically said "I'm gonna invent a game with nothing but prop bets and hop bets".  Everyone laughed, but then we just looked at each other and light bulbs went off! Then we just ran with the idea and Props & Hops was born."

3). Tell the readers about your game.

 

"We have a layout that fits on BJ table that has every one roll bet from a crap table, plus a new one called Any Double. This bet includes the hard ways plus the two and twelve, obviously.  This game is similar to roulette where you have inside bets (any individual combination of the dice) and outside bets(field, any craps, any seven, any double).  After the wagers are made the dealer will offer the dice, which are contained in a shaker cup, to the first player to his left.  The player will shake the dice and then set the cup down.  The dealer will reveal the two dice total, mark the "point", then pay and take. The same player will continue to shake the dice until he shakes a seven.  I often say Props & Hops is like playing roulette but the player spins the ball."

 

                    The beauty of this game is it is fast, fun, and easy to learn!

 

4). You are planning to attend a gaming conference. Is this your 1st?

"Yes. I will definitely be attending future conferences.  I'll see how this goes before deciding on

which ones.  I think it is going to be an enjoyable experience."

5). What do you hope to accomplish while in Las Vegas?

"The main reason for this trip to Las Vegas is to expose Props & Hops to the gaming industry.  I expect to learn a lot about networking and marketing myself, my company, and the game (and maybe future games).  What happens on this trip will dictate what direction we take with marketing."

 

6). Give the readers some of your professional background.

 

"I started dealing in 1983 at Resorts International. Went to Caesar's AC in 1989, and then opened Foxwoods in 1992. I am currently employed as a table game supervisor at Philadelphia's SugarHouse Casino."

 

7).What's Next? 

 

"The game was displayed to casino representatives from across the country. I think it got a warm reception. Now we'll see what numbers it generates when it debuts.  It's all about the numbers."

 

10) What is the best part about your day job? 

 

"The best part of my job is the interaction with my coworkers.  Every casino has a diverse workforce, which makes things interesting. I like learning about and interacting with different cultures."

 

11) Your Favorite restaurant is?

 

 

"My favorite restaurant is Nobu in South Beach. It is the most
famous Japanese restaurant in the world. I love the cuisine!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12) Last book you read and what you got out of it?

 

 

"The last book I read in which I got "something" from was Steve Jobs' biography, and what I got was inspiration.  His life reads like a novel. He had a vision and he was driven.  He created products that changed our world and he did it his way."

I want to thank Mark for taking the time to do this. This game should do well. Operators are looking for new ways to appeal to the customers. "Props and Hops" is a winning combination.

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