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Texas Hold 'Em Poker (video game)
Encyclopedia
Texas Hold 'Em Poker is a card game
video game developed by Skyworks Technologies and published by Majesco Games for the Game Boy Advance
and Nintendo DS
.
The game follows the rules and nuances of the community card game Texas hold 'em
. Before starting a game, the player chooses an avatar
to represent themselves at the table. The player is also able to select a tell
that their avatar reveals throughout the game in attempts to confuse opponents. When it is the player's turn, they can call, raise bets, go all in, or check using the bottom touchscreen
of the Nintendo DS.
While the player progresses through the game and win tournaments, additional avatars and new locations are unlocked. Despite the game's name of Texas Hold 'Em Poker, a variety of other poker games are also included, such as five-card stud
and five-card draw
.
, which found that although "[the game is] easy to play and still retains the fun of the Texas Hold ‘Em card design in a single player fashion," "[it] still can’t beat the real deal, physical computer experience, which is why it’s a little upsetting that the design team didn’t take advantage of elements that would work better in a virtual setting – stat tracking being a key element that’s missing here." They were also disappointed with the game's lack of support for the Nintendo DS' single cartridge feature to allow other Nintendo DS systems use the same cartridge to play the game together. The review concluded by noting that Texas Hold 'Em Poker was simply a passable DS game, but that it was not much better than that.
The Sydney Morning Herald
felt that the game's computer-controlled opponents acted appropriately; they bet
when they had the upper hand and folded when they did not. Texas Hold 'Em Poker was given a score of 2.5 out of 5 from The Sydney Morning Herald. The video game magazine Nintendo Power
gave the game a score of 50%, finding that the menu that asks the player to select a tell before every move got tiring quickly.
Card game
A card game is any game using playing cards as the primary device with which the game is played, be they traditional or game-specific. Countless card games exist, including families of related games...
video game developed by Skyworks Technologies and published by Majesco Games for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
and Nintendo DS
Nintendo DS
The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...
.
Gameplay
Texas hold 'em
Texas Hold 'em is a variation of the standard card game of poker. The game consists of two cards being dealt face down to each player and then five community cards being placed face-up by the dealer—a series of three then two additional single cards , with...
. Before starting a game, the player chooses an avatar
Avatar (computing)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
to represent themselves at the table. The player is also able to select a tell
Tell (poker)
A tell in poker is a change in a player's behavior or demeanor that is claimed by some to give clues to that player's assessment of their hand. A player gains an advantage if they observe and understand the meaning of another player's tell, particularly if the tell is unconscious and reliable...
that their avatar reveals throughout the game in attempts to confuse opponents. When it is the player's turn, they can call, raise bets, go all in, or check using the bottom touchscreen
Touchscreen
A touchscreen is an electronic visual display that can detect the presence and location of a touch within the display area. The term generally refers to touching the display of the device with a finger or hand. Touchscreens can also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus...
of the Nintendo DS.
While the player progresses through the game and win tournaments, additional avatars and new locations are unlocked. Despite the game's name of Texas Hold 'Em Poker, a variety of other poker games are also included, such as five-card stud
Five-card stud
Five-card stud is the earliest form of the card game stud poker, originating during the American Civil War, but is less commonly played today than many other more popular poker games. It is still a popular game in parts of the world, especially in Finland where a specific variant of five-card stud...
and five-card draw
Five-card draw
Five-card draw is a poker variant that is the simplest and often the first variant learned by most players. It is common in home games but rare in casino and tournament play...
.
Reception
Texas Hold 'Em Poker was given a score of 6.0 from video game critic website IGNIGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
, which found that although "[the game is] easy to play and still retains the fun of the Texas Hold ‘Em card design in a single player fashion," "[it] still can’t beat the real deal, physical computer experience, which is why it’s a little upsetting that the design team didn’t take advantage of elements that would work better in a virtual setting – stat tracking being a key element that’s missing here." They were also disappointed with the game's lack of support for the Nintendo DS' single cartridge feature to allow other Nintendo DS systems use the same cartridge to play the game together. The review concluded by noting that Texas Hold 'Em Poker was simply a passable DS game, but that it was not much better than that.
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald
The Sydney Morning Herald is a daily broadsheet newspaper published by Fairfax Media in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831 as the Sydney Herald, the SMH is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Australia. The newspaper is published six days a week. The newspaper's Sunday counterpart, The...
felt that the game's computer-controlled opponents acted appropriately; they bet
Betting (poker)
In the game of poker, the play largely centers on the act of betting, and as such, a protocol has been developed to speed up play, lessen confusion, and increase security while playing...
when they had the upper hand and folded when they did not. Texas Hold 'Em Poker was given a score of 2.5 out of 5 from The Sydney Morning Herald. The video game magazine Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power magazine is a monthly news and strategy magazine formerly published in-house by Nintendo of America, but now run independently. As of issue #222 , Nintendo contracted publishing duties to Future US, the U.S. subsidiary of British publisher Future.The first issue published was...
gave the game a score of 50%, finding that the menu that asks the player to select a tell before every move got tiring quickly.