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Video Guy: Poker game deals mediocre hand
Published: 2005-12-23
World Poker Tour
For PlayStation 2, Xbox and Game Boy Advance
Of all the poker shows on TV, "World Poker Tour" is the one I watch at least semi-regularly.
It really has nothing to do with the game itself. It's all about Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, the show's hosts. If you think about what poker on TV really is, it's not much more than six guys sitting at a table looking like statues. Yet Mike and Vince are somehow able to turn this into high drama.
I think it's because of Van Patten's penchant for hyperbole, like when he says a player "looks like he's had the blood drained out of him" after losing a hand, and also some of the clever poker lingo that the announcing duo uses.
That's basically why I was interested in playing this game, to see how much of the TV presentation made its way into the game.
Sadly, not as much as I'd hoped.
Aside from a couple of choice quips, there's not much of the over-the-top commentary that you find in the TV show. In fact, much of the dialogue is rather repetitive. And nobody is getting the blood drained out of them. That includes the few poker celebrities who show up in the game, including Phil "The Unabomber" Laak and Antonio Esfandiari.
Oh, wait, you probably want to know how the game actually plays. The A.I. opponents love to check, so you will have success if you play like Gus Hansen, meaning call or raise pretty much every hand. Even if you have a horrible hand, you can often make something out of it because the computer players frequently check all the way to the river, which means lots of risk-free cards for you.
That said, the career mode actually is pretty fun because there is still a degree of satisfaction that comes with making it to the final table, where the presentation does come close to the TV show.
Still, a better bet (no pun intended) would be to play the online mode, where you can match poker wits with live players. There are also a ton of other poker games you can play besides Texas Hold 'Em should you be in the mood for something different.
It should be noted that "World Poker Tour" only costs 20 bucks, so even though it's flawed, you won't feel like you're going all in with a 7 of spades and 2 of hearts in your hand.
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BetCRIS.com: Poker Players Edge Out Bush and Usher in The Pope
Published: 2005-12-22
 BetCRIS Poker Survey Sees the Pope Become Favorite Over George W. Bush; Which World Leader Poker Players Most Want to Play Against
December 22, New York – It’s a perfect world, and you’re given the opportunity to line up against any world leader of your choice, so who do you choose to check raise in a game of poker?
This is precisely the question executives at BetCRIS Poker asked their players. In the first release issued by BetCRIS, our fearless leader George W. Bush held the lead with 27% of the votes over Cuban leader Fidel Castro at 20%.
Since that time in mid-November, the results have changed drastically with the new leader being the Pope, slightly edging out Bush by 23% to 22%, respectively.
The survey has currently been running since the beginning of November and will last until the New Year. Nearly 20,000 people have logged online and voted for which world leader they’d most like to play poker against.
Also on the list are Fidel Castro, 16%, Queen Elizabeth II, 10%, and Tony Blair, 9%.
Up to date results for the survey can be found at http://www.betcris.com/poker-survey.aspx
“Bush’s approval rating may have crept up, but his poker popularity has declined,” said Mickey Richardson, CEO of BetCRIS.com. “The trend has shifted and poker players prefer an opponent with absolutely no inclination to cheat.”
More surveys and odds can sporting events can be found at www.betCRIS.com
About BetCRIS
BetCRIS Sportsbook, “Where the Line Originates,” is a recognized industry leader since 1985. BetCRIS.com provides safe, legal, and secure sports wagering on sporting events, as well as horse racing, casino, poker, cash games and bingo from any location in the world, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
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