Crazy Bird's All-In Hold Em
Birdsoft
Price: $12.95
O/S: PPC 2000, 2002 WM 2003
For Axim Users Dot Com
By 2_hotty
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
When I was asked to review Crazy Bird’s All-In Hold Em, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, I was happy to have Texas Hold' Em on my PDA. On the other, I thought that I would, yet again, be disappointed by a poker game for the Pocket PC.
Okay, a little background first. I’m a poker player. I’m not a professional, but I play at least twice a week. I am also the head of a local poker league. Given my love for the game, I have been in search of a good poker game for the PDA since my first Casiopeia E125. Let’s just say that every one that I have tried, have left a lot to be desired.
The Cadillac of Poker
I wasn’t surprised to see Texas Hold’ Em as the next poker game for PPC. Thanks to ESPN and the Travel Network, Hold’ Em has become extremely popular now a days, and everyone is trying to cash in on it’s popularity. It also happens to be one of my favorite games to play.
Enter Crazy Bird’s All-In Hold’ Em
When you launch the game, you are presented with a menu screen and 4 options.
1. Play Game
2. Help
3. Settings
4. Exit
Options one and two are self explanatory.
The “Settings” option allows you to change the table, deck and floor colors. Pretty basic. The look of this game isn’t anything to write home about, but then again, what else do you expect from a poker game? It’s an overhead shot of a poker table, with cartoon people sitting at it. The little animations that the players do are a nice touch though, like when they shake their heads “no” when they have to muck their hands. It seems like they don’t actually want to fold, but they’re forced to based on the betting. It gives the game a nice feel while you play.
You can also change the game settings here. This is where you can adjust the game to however you want to play. The game is tournament style, winner take all. The blinds start at $5.00 and $10.00 no matter what your starting cash is, but you can select from starting with $50.00 in chips, all the way up to $3000.00. This is a fun option as you will play a lot tighter with only $50.00 in chips, and $10.00 blinds, than you will with $3000.00 in front of you. Just like a real game.
You can also select whether or not you want to play limit, or no limit poker. The no limit option is great. Because of the AI, you can actually bluff to win pots!
The rest of the options are pretty standard. Save on exit, muck unchallenged hands (the game defaults to always show cards), sounds, etc.
Player setup button.
There is a player setup button in the options screen. In this screen you can change the order of the players around the table. This is where this game starts to shine. There are 7 players you can seat around the table. Each player has 3 different playing options. Tight, Normal and Loose. This is what makes this game great. Actual different playing styles. There is also a random seating option. This is the option I use. You don’t know who’s going to sit where, and you don’t know how they are going to play. You have to learn it as you play through the game. This little option right here makes this the best poker game I’ve ever seen for the PDA.
The only thing that seems like it’s missing from the players are voices. Hearing someone say check, instead of the sound effect of them hitting the table (which doesn't sound that great anyway), would enhance the game immensely.
Combine the separate player styles, with the option to muck unchallenged hands, and this is the closest game to actually sitting at a Hold’ Em table that I have ever seen. As you play you determine who at the table plays tight, and who plays loose. You can then bluff or fold accordingly. When you play with only $50.00 to start, it makes the game really interesting because you don’t have that much time to see how the computer opponents are playing.
I don’t know if it’s just because I’m an avid poker player, but this game is fantastic! I’ve already enjoyed hours of fun playing it. I’ve always said that PPC games to me, should be time fillers. This game, however, exceeds that expectation. I’ve sat in my living room and played this game with a computer, X box and PS2 5 feet away. As far as I’m concerned, that is a testament to how good this game is.
Again, probably a semi biased opinion due to the fact that I’m a poker nut, but if you are a poker fanatic, or just a casual player, I guarantee that you will like this game.
The good:
Excellent tournament style game play and great AI, for an all around great hold’ em experience on your PPC. Decent Graphics and good game options. Good price tag.
The bad:
No voices, and the sound effects are a little wonky. I would love the ability to save my tournament stats. Some kind of running total.
All in all I give Crazy Bird’s All-In Hold Em for the PPC a 9.5 out of 10.
For more information go to:
http://www.birdsoft.biz/
Price: $12.95
Linear Mode
