There's another interesting product on the poker horizon this week
with the news that the World Poker Tour people have partnered up with
software producer Radica Games to launch a top quality, go-anywhere
poker game for handheld appliances.
World Poker Tour
No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em retails in the U.S. for around $19.99 and
provides easily loadable Texas Hold 'Em for 5 players in the traditional
WPT short handed style at a six handed table. The user plays against
the credible artificial intelligence (AI) of the other players and
attempts to knock them out, sharpening poker skills in the process
and aiming to make a "final table". The action is fast paced
but easy, and there are many surprises to be found in the game.
Presentation is reported to be first class, with crisp graphics, clear
labeling and a screen layout that brings up all information in an
easily visible format, showing the size of the pot, current bet and
which players are in. Opponents' chip stacks can be assessed, and
the AI is realistic, with opposing play that includes eight different
styles covering bluffing, aggressive and passive strategies at appropriate
stages of play.