Poker is getting popular, I mean really popular.
There are several poker shows on cable television including the World Series
of Poker and Celebrity Poker. Now I guess you could argue that poker has
always been popular and you would be right to an extent, but Texas Hold'em
poker is becoming so popular that it is finding it's way into pop culture in a
way that typically means that it will become destined to become a series of
questions on the next edition of Trivial Pursuit.
No Limit Texas Hold'em is a genuine poker
game complete with all the tournaments (or a least really similar ones) that
fans of the TV series' will recognize. Different tournaments are available
for the new player or the hardcore poker player. Some have buy back options,
meaning if you run out of money, you can spend some from your kitty and
re-enter the tournament, others have a cap on how many times you can buy back
in, while some allow you to buy back in as many times as you want.
To be perfectly honest with you, it's somewhat
difficult reviewing a game that really phenomenal graphics or strong sound
effects make really no difference at all. Poker is a fun game that some
people play in their garages every weekend with their friends, while others go
to their local casino and play in genuine games for real money. And normally
these types of games are the sort of thing that I encourage people to go out
and experience for themselves (i.e.. darts, pinball, billiards). But in
regards to this game, players need to realize that there is a certain amount
of safety playing this game, since it is fake money and if you play your hand
completely wrong, your friends won't make fun of you for bombing a hand. So
with that being said, this game is a good way to get your chance to learn how
to play poker, without the aforementioned risks.
Texas Hold'em features several options that the
players will want to tinker with. Most notably is an option that allows you
to see what the player who wins the hand (if everyone else folds) had and sort
of, twist the knife if you will. Let me give you an example. The game starts
off with all the computer players and you (total of 10) all being dealt two
cards ( I will give you my own explanation of how Texas Hold'em plays). Once
everyone has their cards (which only they can see) a round of betting occurs.
Now if you are dealt a good hand (a pair, Ace/King) you will more then likely
want to stay in. This typically is the round most players will fold,
since allot of hands are pretty much garbage. But usually there are a couple
of players who have a decent hand so they stay in and see what's called the
river (three community cards placed in the center of the table).
Using these three cards, all players try to
make the best hand possible. Then there is another round of betting and a
fourth river card is placed in the middle. Another round of betting and then
the final fifth card is placed on the table. Now using the five cards and the
two cards each player tries to make the best poker hand possible. One player
may have a straight (five cards in numeric order), one may have two pair, and
another may have a flush (five cards of the same suit). The betting then goes
one more round and all players show their cards. The game automatically tells
you who the winner is. Now like I said before, in real poker if one player
can out bet the others via bluffing (pretending your hand is better then it
really is) or simply by betting so large because they have a really good hand,
the player does not have to show his card. This game allows you to see the
winning hand. Why am I making such a big deal out of this option? Well, this
is a very touchy subject amongst true poker players, yeah sure it's fun to
poke fun at your buddies when your playing at the kitchen table and show them
that you were bluffing when you won that last hand. But do that at a real
casino and you could really make another player mad at your unprofessionalism
and find yourself being asked to take your game elsewhere if the person you
just ticked off is someone who drops thousands a week at said casino.
The game has several other notable options that
are worth mentioning. You can set up how many hands are played during a
tournament, if you fold then the round skips to the end rather then watching
the computer players go through their rounds, how fast the game speed is and
even how skilled the computer players are. It's a really well designed game
for those who are interested in poker. Where the game really drops the ball
though, is that there is no online play available. This game begs to be
played online against other players. And what's better, it would be involving
no money like the online casinos that are out there on the internet. Too bad,
I think this would have made this title a mint.
Gameplay: 8.5
It's easy to learn and you can adjust the
difficulty as you improve. The easy explanations in the game are well read
and make the learning easy.
Graphics: 7.5
It's not like there are really difficult graphics
being pumped out. The game uses a plain, but nice looking poker table, and
the only thing that I found I could change was the design of the deck.
Audio: 7.0
Again, nothing that really screams sound effects.
There is a constant bass thumping in the intro screen that gives you the
feeling of being in a rush. But I almost thought it would have sounded cool
if they had the sounds of a casino in the background.
Difficulty: Medium
You can set it so it's really hard or you can make
it fairly easy. The game runs the gamut of difficulty for all level of
players.
Concept: 7.7
I've played other casino/poker games before, but
this one seemed to have gotten it right as far as options and playability
goes.
Multiplayer: Non-existent
Why oh why would they not make this an online
game, it's perfect for it I tell ya.
Overall: 8.1
I really liked this game, as did all the other
adult members of my family. Strong A.I. and plenty of options elevate this on
to my regular play list. I just really wish it was online capable. I would
have scored this bad boy a 9.0.
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