First Look: Texas Hold 'Em

I've been having such a good time getting my virtual wallet cleaned out by my Texas Hold 'Em opponents that it's taken me three days to write this post!

Texas Hold 'Em is an iPhone port of the popular Apple iPod game that came out a few years ago. If you're a fan of poker tournaments or just intrigued by Texas Hold 'Em, this $4.99 game is a heck of a lot cheaper and less stress on your home life than going to Vegas and playing the real thing.

The play action, as you can see in the gallery below, is amazingly realistic. Each of the players even has a "tell" (distinctive physical cue that they're either bluffing or have a really good hand) that you can pick up after a while. There's music that plays in the background, a Wi-Fi multiplayer mode, a number of poker rooms (including a garage that has a shelf full of old computers on one wall), and a good assortment of well-rendered virtual opponents. Frankly, I think it's one of the unsung bargains of the App Store.

Apple Texas Hold 'Em

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Source: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftwa…

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I've been having such a good time getting my virtual wallet cleaned out by my Texas Hold 'Em opponents that it's taken me three days to...

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Ramone

I've read several places about the "tells". Is this an urban legend or can someone verify one?

July 26 2008 at 12:07 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Anonymous

love this game. definately worth the buy. horizontal mode is the best.

July 17 2008 at 7:52 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Brian

I'm glad that Apple took the time to release a nice polished game like this. It sets a good example for people on how to program well.

Just because the platform screen is smaller doesn't mean end-users don't appreciate the polish and features.

July 17 2008 at 7:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dtpollitt

This is my favorite game on the iPhone. Quick question: Can you see the "tells" during landscape mode? I've only been playing in that way, and haven't noticed any...

Dan

July 17 2008 at 3:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

BigB

I dig this game, its worth the 5 bucks.

but its kind of annoying to have to tap to get the check/bet dialog up, took me forever to figure that out when the dealer was just sitting there staring.

July 17 2008 at 2:36 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tizod

I love this game. Challenging and quite entertaining. My only "complaint" is that I have had several occasions where I launched the game and it caused my IPhone to reboot.

Not a big deal...I guess these things are to be expected.

Definately worth the $5

July 17 2008 at 11:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Louis24x7

I love this game. Had it been me that needed to write this review, it would probably be next week.

For the past couple of days I use this game to run out the battery of my iPhone 3G, and as of this morning after about 4 hours of my normal morning phone usage (browsing, google maps, phone conversations) I can say I see battery improvement.

July 17 2008 at 11:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bob S.

How does it compare to Scenario Software's very strong Scenario Poker Web app? (Scenario Poker is limit, which requires better play, and there's less emphasis, from the sound of the above review, on silly "tells," which in poker software are usually an excuse for subpar AI.)

July 17 2008 at 10:59 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Reynish

The problem with this game is the portrait mode. Yeah it looks good but it makes the file size H U G E . Every time I sync my iPod it takes so long.

I only ever play in Landscape mode any way.

Michael, you find it hard? Fancy a game of poker?

July 17 2008 at 10:52 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Eric

Agreed. This game is great at $4.99. Also, I'm pretty sure that one of the characters, Jason from Glasgow, is Roger Clemens. Striking resemblance anyway.

Killer game, excellent play, wi-fi tips it!

July 17 2008 at 10:35 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply