One of the top five Internet poker companies, PokerRoom.com
announced this week that it is launching what it claims is the first
ever interactive cell phone poker.
Using the most secure protocols and patent pending collusion software,
players can play Texas Hold 'Em for "play money"
or "real money" starting on Monday, April 11, 2005.
It is believed that the software in use will be from sister company
Ongame.
Players who want to take their hand on the road, can sign up for the
game on PokerRoom.com (the game is sent to their phone for download)
and will play other members of the PokerRoom.com community, rather
than a computer, as all cell phone games currently operate.
With more than 3.5 million users, there is unlikely to be a shortage
of potential table mates no matter where one travels, claims the release.
"With television shows, online poker's accessibility and
celebrity fans, Poker – Texas Hold 'Em in particular –
has become America's new favorite pastime." says PokerRoom.com
CEO Patrik Selin.
"With availability on cell phones, the game is available
anywhere, anytime. The advance of cell phone graphics makes the experience
almost identical to that of playing online and I think people will
enjoy taking the game on the road."
The game offers an experience both geographically and interactively
that has not been available in any mobile poker games before, says
Poker Room.
The player can choose between 3 different views; Normal View which
has graphics similar to those seen on Pokerroom.com, Symbol View which
gives a view over the whole table with simplified graphics or the
Text View which also gives history of how the hand was played. Additionally,
there is a chat function allowing players to text one another during
the game. The game also has an offline version where players can play
against bots on three different levels.