07-January-2010

This month, mobile games developer Glu Mobile Inc. announced the launch of “The World Series of Poker Hold’em Legend.” The iPhone application, a product of Glu’s collaboration with Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., allows users to play Texas Hold’em in over 25 events at seven venues.

Five of the application’s venues are virtual reproductions of real-life Harrah’s casinos. However, players have to prove themselves in the game’s single-player mode in order to unlock them; all users begin single-player mode in the “Player” section by creating an avatar. Then, they must add to their $100 starting bankroll by playing in $1/$2 cash games at a local pub.

As players’ alter egos accumulate dough they’re able to buy into larger games at Caesar’s Palace, Rio Las Vegas and the Casino at the Empire. Winning the WSOP Main Event is naturally the ultimate goal. But getting there takes a lot of effort because players must participate in tons of cash games to unlock the game’s “Legend Career” mode.

The entire struggle is worth it, though, because at that point the game gets really good. First, players unlock the pub’s $20 single-table tourney. Then, they get to play in events like the Harrah’s New Orleans $50 two-table shoot-out, the $250 WSOP Circuit Event at Harrah’s Atlantic City and the $5000 VIP Game at Sharks Bay.

Other unlockable games include three $30 sit-and-gos at Harrah’s New Orleans; three $150 sit-and-gos at Harrah’s Atlantic City; a $1000 WSOP Circuit event at Caesar’s Palace; a $2500 WSOP Circuit event at the Casino at the Empire; and several $100000 events at the Rio Las Vegas.

In return for all their hard work players can participate in the game’s crowning challenge, a $250000 WSOP Main Event. If for no other reason than not wanting to crash players’ smart phones – or perhaps because they wanted to cut players some slack after such a grueling qualifier circuit – Glu’s designers made the final showdown only two tables deep. But that’s not to say the competition isn’t fierce. Players will definitely have their hands full trying to wrest the game’s bracelet from what could easily be the best poker AI system yet.

All in all, the game’s single-player mode is an impressive value as a crash course in going pro and a source for hundreds of hours of experience. But, as if this weren’t enough, Glu also included tons of secondary goodies to draw in even less-dedicated players. Among the best of these are introductory videos for every venue; peer-to-peer functionalities for heads-up and multiplayer play via Bluetooth and Internet connections; and a hand-recording tool that allows players to relive their shining moments again and again.

Though launched on other smart-phone platforms already, the new iPhone version of the game is sure to break the popularity charts. It’s currently selling for $2.99 at the Apple App Store – a pittance for all the super-fine options it offers.

By: Phill Provance
phill.provance@acehoyle.com

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