by Todd Pheifer

Created on: August 17, 2010   Last Updated: March 25, 2012

Poker continues to be a popular form of entertainment, particularly in the United States.  People debate whether poker should be considered a “sport,” but it is clear that individuals are willing to watch events on cable channels like ESPN.  For some people, the allure of poker is obviously the money, but there is also a factor of accessibility.  In other words, people do not have to be superstar athletes in order to sit at a poker table and play cards.  For those that like to play poker without the risk of losing actual money, there are various computerized versions.  Here is a review of the World Series of Poker Hold ‘Em Legend iPhone app. 

• Purpose

The general purpose of this iPhone/iPod Touch app is to create a “legend” of poker by competing in various tournaments.  People can create a profile and compete in different levels of tournament play that lead up to the World Series.  There are also virtual trophies and various awards to win.  Each level has a different entry fee, which means that players must win various tournaments in order to build up enough money to reach higher levels.  Or, users can spend actual money and purchase additional chips. 

• Menus

In general, the menus are well-designed and intuitive.  Navigation through the various options is smooth and easy to understand.  The base menu includes settings, player stats, a cash game, multi-player options, bluetooth play, replays, help, and the menu for creating a “career.”  Users can also customize music, purchase more chips, and explore other games made by the manufacturer. 

• Game play

The primary game in this app is Texas Hold ‘Em poker, which consists of nine players to start and a fixed stack of chips for each player.  As hands are played, players eventually lose all of their chips and are eliminated from the table.  The app provides various options for play, including games that award money to the top three players, and a winner-takes-all game.  There are also options that allow the user to “see” tells in other players so that they have some indication that certain opponents are bluffing.  If the user loses all their chips, they have the option to re-buy, which requires spending additional money. 

• Design and multimedia

Overall, the game is well-designed and easy to play.  The layout is fairly standard for the typical computerized poker game, but there isn’t necessarily any reason to change that formula.  Throughout the game, there are various video clips from other players as they comment on the player of the user.  The game is a fun diversion, though fans of poker may find themselves addicted to this well-designed app. 

• Rating: 5/5

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