Why do VP machines take naps?

I'll be playing a VP machine and have a rhythm going. I'll notice about once every 20 minutes or so that when I press the deal button for a new hand that the machine will pause for an extra second or two. It always makes me wonder what it is doing. I don't expect anyone to have the answer, but is it just me that's sees this delay or do other people notice it as well? We can have fun coming up with some conspiracy theories about what the machine is doing on its coffee break.

The most common view I've heard is house cleaning. I have no idea if it's true.

Every 100 deals (same with many slot machines, too, although they're typically faster about it) the game writes accouting data to the EEPROM -- by today's computer standards, it's a slow process. In the event of a power outage or other malfunction, the machine will have good enough statistical accounting data to be used by the casinos and gaming officials.

Because of how relatively slow it is to write to the EEPROM, we notice the little "pause" every 100 deals/spins.

I was at Holy Cow years ago (obviously) when there was a power outage that lasted a good hour or so. When the power came back on the machines were exactly as they were before it went out. All the credits were present and even in the middle of the same hand as before the power went out. For once. instead of having their head down to their machine, people sat around, drank beer, and socialized just like at bars in other parts of the country.

All sentient machines have to pause momentarily when they scan you....it's their weakness.

Resistance if futile. You will be assimilated.

Searching for a Trapper Keeper... (extra credit for you if you get the reference)

but am I the only one extra disappointed when it still doesn't deal a royal?

You reference is South Park.

Seems like ages ago.

I don't watch South Park (can't stand it) so I missed that reference.

Wow, that is a really old episode of South Park!!

Funny, that the OP mentioned "naps" - 'cause when it happens to my wife, she says "Wake up"!!