Poker Video Game Featuring Daniel Negreanu Unveiled

Dubbed as "America's new national pastime", poker has been enjoying unprecedented popularity in the last few years. The curiosity that the game has spawned gave way to the boom in online poker, online competitions, and TV shows that sprouted like mushrooms on a damp day.

Video game publishers have also been quick to grab their share of the market by coming out with "Stacked", featuring poker pro Daniel Negreanu. "Stacked" features Texas Hold'Em poker with optional video advice from the Canadian champ. Negreanu is the 2004 Player of the Year, and his winnings have exceeded $8 million to date.

Although "Stacked" offers useful and insightful lessons in the 15-part tutorial as hosted by Negreanu, the'artificial intelligence' of the video game and the wanting presentation results in an average poker experience, ironic considering that the game's A.I. is supposed to be the 'main point' of the game.

"Stacked" prides itself as the pioneer in the poker video gaming world in licensing the Pokibot AI system, which supposedly alters its game depending on the video poker player's strategy.

The more experienced players may sigh in exasperation or laugh with incredulity. An example of the moves it made: one raised the stakes six times in a row, only to have a high card (not even a pair), while another with a very good hand failed to bet much at all.

For a speedy game, there is the Quick Play mode option with simulated cash games or single table tournaments, both of which include real-time tips from Negreanu.

The game also lets you choose an onscreen avatar, and also create a custom player. However, in this aspect it is also mediocre in the sense that the voices and appearances of the characters are too stereotypical.

There is also the career mode feature in the game, where the player will start out with a small bankroll to be built up over time. Bigger tournaments become available as the player progresses, and bonus locations will become unlocked. Players will also be able to compete against real poker tour players like Josh Arieh, Evelyn Ng, Erick Lindgren and Jennifer Harman.

"Stacked" can also be played over the Internet with fellow stacked players. However, there doesn't seem to be an abundance of players on the Internet. But once you do find an opponent, the play goes smoothly and you can chat with your opponent.

All in all, "Stacked" can be seen as strictly a Negreanu fan must have, but experienced poker video game players or those looking for their first video poker, might find the game too average to have any edge over the others or keep them engaged.

August 25, 2006
Pauline Davis